The Church Fathers on this verse

Genesis 44:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And when they were now departed out of the city, and had gone forward a little way: Joseph sending for the steward of his house, said: Arise, and pursue after the men: and when thou hast overtaken them, say to them: Why have you returned evil for good?

Douay-Rheims

הֵ֠ם יָֽצְא֣וּ אֶת־הָעִיר֮ לֹ֣א הִרְחִיקוּ֒ וְיוֹסֵ֤ף אָמַר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּית֔וֹ ק֥וּם רְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לָ֛מָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥ם רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

As they commenced their journey, He instructed the steward of His household, "Go and reach these men, and when you catch up, convey this message to them: 'Why have you returned good with evil? Is this not the cup from which my lord partakes, and does he not marvel at it? You have acted most wickedly.' When the governor overtook them, he asked, 'Why have you rewarded your benefactor with malevolence? Why have you shown deceit even towards the one who has offered you such kindness? Are you not ashamed of this man’s generosity? What treachery! What folly! Do you not realize that this is the very vessel through which my lord performs sorcery? Your actions are despicable; your intentions are destructive; your motives are indefensible, and your audacity surpasses all wickedness."

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.