THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Consider the events that the father dreaded came to pass, leading them to experience fear and confusion, leaving them uncertain of how to proceed.
Genesis 44:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Joseph answered: God forbid that I should do so: he that stole the cup, he shall be my bondman: and go you away free to your father.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר חָלִ֣ילָה לִּ֔י מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹת זֹ֑את הָאִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִמְצָ֨א הַגָּבִ֜יעַ בְּיָד֗וֹ ה֚וּא יִהְיֶה־לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֕ם עֲל֥וּ לְשָׁל֖וֹם אֶל־אֲבִיכֶֽם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Ephraem the Syrian
Joseph said, "Let us, the honest Egyptians, refrain from doing this. The Egyptians conduct themselves with such dignity that they would not even share bread with the Hebrews, lest they be rendered unclean. How can we act contrary to our integrity? Justice does not permit us to offend someone who has not wronged us. We must seek restitution from the one who has been discovered guilty against us. The man who possesses the cup shall become my servant.
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Being a servant will serve him better than being free, for this servitude will truly liberate him from the urge to steal, and it will benefit him more than a freedom that has enslaved him to his desires." "Yet, for the sake of God, I do this: I maintain the one who has taken my cup in servitude, but you may depart as a united group."
Ignatij (Briantchaninow)
"Why would I be unfair?" Joseph responded. "The one who discovered the cup shall serve as my servant, while you may return to your father unhindered."
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 42:18And the third day he brought them out of prison, and said: Do as I have said, and you shall live: for I fear God.
- Prov 17:15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
- Gen 37:32Sending some to carry it to their father, and to say: This we have found: see whether it be thy son's coat, or not.
- Gen 37:33And the father acknowledging it, said: It is my son's coat, an evil wild beast hath eaten him, a beast hath devoured Joseph.
- 2 Sam 23:3The God of Israel said to me, the strong one of Israel spoke, the ruler of men, the just ruler in the fear of God.
- Ps 75 (74):2
- Gen 18:25Far be it from thee to do this thing, and to slay the just with the wicked, and for the just to be in like case as the wicked; this is not beseeming thee: thou who judgest all the earth, wilt not make this judgment.
- Gen 26:29That thou do us no harm, as we on our part have touched nothing of thine, nor have done any thing to hurt thee; but with peace have sent thee away, increased with the blessing of the Lord.