Genesis 44:3
Genesis 44:3 in Multiple Translations
At daybreak, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.
As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
And at dawn the men, with their asses, were sent away.
At sunrise they were sent on their way with their donkeys.
And in the morning the men were sent away, they, and their asses.
The morning is bright, and the men have been sent away, they and their asses —
As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.
As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they, and their asses.
And when the morning arose, they were sent away with their asses.
The next morning at dawn the men started on the way home with their donkeys.
The next morning, as soon as the sun came up, Joseph’s workers helped those men get ready to go home. Those men got their food bags, and they put those bags on their donkeys, and then they started to go home.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 44:3
BAB
Word Study
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Genesis 44:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/בֹּ֖קֶר
א֑וֹר
וְ/הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
שֻׁלְּח֔וּ
הֵ֖מָּה
וַ/חֲמֹרֵי/הֶֽם
הַ/בֹּ֖קֶר
bôqer
H1242
morning
Art | N-ms
א֑וֹר
ʼôwr
H215
to light
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
וְ/הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | Art | N-mp
שֻׁלְּח֔וּ
shâlach
H7971
to send
V-Pual-Perf-3cp
הֵ֖מָּה
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
וַ/חֲמֹרֵי/הֶֽם
chămôwr
H2543
donkey
Conj | N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 44:3
הַ/בֹּ֖קֶר
bôqer
H1242
"morning"
Art | N-ms
The break of day or morning, a time of new beginnings, as in the morning sacrifices in Exodus 29:39 or the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week in John 20:1.
Definition: 1) morning, break of day 1a) morning 1a1) of end of night 1a2) of coming of daylight 1a3) of coming of sunrise 1a4) of beginning of day 1a5) of bright joy after night of distress (fig.) 1b) morrow, next day, next morning
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. See also: Genesis 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:11; Psalms 5:4.
א֑וֹר
ʼôwr
H215
"to light"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Or means to give light, whether physically or spiritually, as in Psalm 119:105 where God's word is a light to our path.
Definition: 1) to be or become light, shine 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become light (day) 1a2) to shine (of the sun) 1a3) to become bright 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be illuminated 1b2) to become lighted up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give light, shine (of sun, moon, and stars) 1c2) to illumine, light up, cause to shine, shine 1c3) to kindle, light (candle, wood) 1c4) lighten (of the eyes, his law, etc) 1c5) to make shine (of the face)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine. See also: Genesis 1:15; Psalms 67:2; Psalms 13:4.
וְ/הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
שֻׁלְּח֔וּ
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
V-Pual-Perf-3cp
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
הֵ֖מָּה
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
וַ/חֲמֹרֵי/הֶֽם
chămôwr
H2543
"donkey"
Conj | N-cp | Suff
The Hebrew word for a male donkey, it is translated as he ass in the KJV Bible. The name comes from the animal's reddish-brown color.
Definition: (he) ass
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: (he) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:4; Proverbs 26:3.
Study Notes — Genesis 44:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Benjamin and the Silver Cup
1Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack.
2Put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” So the steward did as Joseph had instructed.
3At daybreak, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.
4They had not gone far from the city when Joseph told his steward, “Pursue the men at once, and when you overtake them, ask, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? 5Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’”Genesis 44:3 Summary
Genesis 44:3 tells us that Joseph sent his brothers on their way with their donkeys at daybreak, starting a new day and a new test of their character. This event shows us that God is always working, even when we don't see it, and that He uses everyday situations to test our hearts and refine our faith (Proverbs 17:3). As we reflect on this verse, we can learn to trust God's plan and timing, just like Joseph did, and to seek His guidance and wisdom in our own lives (Psalm 32:8). By doing so, we can grow in our faith and become more like Jesus, who trusted His Father's plan and timing, even in the darkest of times (John 12:27-28).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of sending the men on their way at daybreak in Genesis 44:3?
The act of sending the men on their way at daybreak signifies the beginning of a new day and a new test of their character, as Joseph continues to test their integrity, as seen in Genesis 42:15-16.
Why did Joseph instruct his steward to send the men away with their donkeys?
Joseph instructed his steward to send the men away with their donkeys to create an opportunity to accuse them of stealing his silver cup, as mentioned in Genesis 44:2, and to further test their honesty and loyalty.
Is there any spiritual significance to the men being sent away at daybreak?
The timing of their departure at daybreak may symbolize the dawn of a new spiritual awareness, as they are about to face a test of their faith and integrity, much like the Psalmist's cry for help in Psalm 119:147, where he seeks God's guidance at the dawn of a new day.
How does this event relate to the broader story of Joseph's life?
This event is part of the larger narrative of Joseph's life, where he is testing his brothers to see if they have changed and are worthy of his trust, ultimately leading to the reconciliation of his family, as seen in Genesis 45:1-15.
Reflection Questions
- What would I do if I were in the shoes of Joseph's brothers, being sent away with a secret that could change their lives forever?
- How can I apply the principle of testing and proving one's character, as seen in Joseph's actions, to my own life and relationships?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of honesty and integrity in my daily interactions with others?
- In what ways can I trust God to work out His plan in my life, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging, just like Joseph trusted God in Genesis 44:3?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 44:3
As soon as the morning was light,.... When it was break of day, before the sun rose: the men were sent away, they and their asses; the men being refreshed with food, and their asses having provender
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 44:3
As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. As soon as the morning ... the men were sent away.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 44:3
Genesis 44:3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.Ver. 3. The men were sent away.] This was no small courtesy to them, that were so willing of their way.