THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Once more, he formulates a strategy to better understand the attitude of his brothers concerning Benjamin.
Genesis 44:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And in the mouth of the younger's sack put my silver cup, and the price which he gave for the wheat. And it was so done.
וְאֶת־גְּבִיעִ֞י גְּבִ֣יעַ הַכֶּ֗סֶף תָּשִׂים֙ בְּפִי֙ אַמְתַּ֣חַת הַקָּטֹ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת כֶּ֣סֶף שִׁבְר֑וֹ וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כִּדְבַ֥ר יוֹסֵ֖ף אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽר׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 6 commentaries
Ephraem the Syrian
In Benjamin's robe, a cup was placed, and silver was given to each man's garment. He then instructed his servant to fill their sacks with wheat at no cost, secretly placing the cup in Benjamin's sack. Shortly thereafter, he allowed them to depart with gladness.
Jerome of Stridon
The younger man is instructed to throw something into a sackcloth. However, in the Hebrew version, the term used is more akin to 'boot' or 'money-bag.' Additionally, rather than the word for ‘cup’ (which also appears in Isaiah 51:17) translating as κόνδυ, Akilah rendered it as 'glass,' while Simmah interpreted it as 'phial.'
Ambrose of Milan
Through devout deception, he obtained the company of his cherished brother and, having contrived a falsehood, charged him with it to ensure he became a pawn of his own leniency.
The silver goblet was discreetly placed into his sack, something that Benjamin was unaware of. Similarly, although Paul was initially lost, he received a divine call (See Acts 9:1-31). In the morning, he is freed; the darkness of his blindness has ended, and the brightness of faith has arrived (Cf. Rom. 13:12).
Theodoret of Cyrus
Joseph devised the entire situation with the cup (Gen. 44:2) to evaluate his brothers' hearts and to ascertain if they would support the falsely accused Benjamin. Thus, he concealed the cup within his garment. Upon witnessing not only their defense of Benjamin but also their unwavering support, Joseph shed his authoritative facade and revealed his identity as their brother. Recognizing their fear and desire for the ground to swallow them, he reassured them, stating: “Now do not grieve, but let it come to pass that it will be cruel to you, that you will sell me this day: for God has sent me before you to live” (Genesis 45:5). Furthermore, when he dismissed them, he gently advised them, saying, “Do not be angry in the way” (Genesis 45:24), rather than reproaching them for their past actions toward him.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- 2 Cor 8:8I speak not as commanding: but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
- Deut 8:16And fed thee in the wilderness with manna which thy fathers knew not. And after he had afflicted and proved thee, at the last he had mercy on thee,
- Matt 10:16Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.
- Gen 42:15I shall now presently try what you are: by the health of Pharao, you shall not depart hence, until your youngest brother come.
- Gen 42:16Send one of you to fetch him: and you shall be in prison, till what you have said be proved, whether it be true or false: or else by the health of Pharao you are spies.
- Gen 43:32And when it was set on, for Joseph apart, and for his brethren apart, for the Egyptians also that ate with him apart, (for it is unlawful for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, and they think such a feast profane):
- Deut 13:3Thou shalt not hear the words of that prophet or dreamer: for the Lord your God trieth you, that it may appear whether you love him with all your heart, and with all your soul, or not.
- Deut 8:2And thou shalt remember all the way through which the Lord thy God hath brought thee for forty years through the desert, to afflict thee and to prove thee, and that the things that were known in thy heart might be made known, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no.