Genesis 44:6
Genesis 44:6 in Multiple Translations
When the steward overtook them, he relayed these words to them.
¶ And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these words.
So he overtook them and said these words to them.
When he caught up with them, he told them what Joseph had said.
And when he ouertooke them, he sayde those wordes vnto them.
And he overtaketh them, and speaketh unto them these words,
He overtook them, and he spoke these words to them.
And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.
He did as he had commanded him. And having overtaken them, he spoke to them the same words.
The servant left immediately and when he caught up with them, he told them what Joseph had told him to say.
So Joseph’s worker chased those men until he caught up with them. Then he talked to those men, and he said those things that Joseph told him to say.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 44:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 44:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יַּשִּׂגֵ֑/ם
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר
אֲלֵ/הֶ֔ם
אֶת
הַ/דְּבָרִ֖ים
הָ/אֵֽלֶּה
וַֽ/יַּשִּׂגֵ֑/ם
nâsag
H5381
to overtake
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֲלֵ/הֶ֔ם
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/דְּבָרִ֖ים
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Art | N-mp
הָ/אֵֽלֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 44:6
וַֽ/יַּשִּׂגֵ֑/ם
nâsag
H5381
"to overtake"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
To overtake means to reach or catch up to something, like pursuing an enemy or attaining a goal. This verb is used in the Bible to describe physical and spiritual pursuits. It can also mean to be able to secure or have enough.
Definition: 1) to reach, overtake, take hold upon 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to overtake 1a2) to reach, attain to, cause to reach 1a3) to be able to secure, reach, have enough
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to, can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, [idiom] surely, (over-) take (hold of, on, upon). See also: Genesis 31:25; 1 Samuel 14:26; Psalms 7:6.
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אֲלֵ/הֶ֔ם
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/דְּבָרִ֖ים
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Art | N-mp
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
הָ/אֵֽלֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Art | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
Study Notes — Genesis 44:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Benjamin and the Silver Cup
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!’”
6When the steward overtook them, he relayed these words to them.
7“Why does my lord say these things?” they asked. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing. 8We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found in the mouths of our sacks. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house?Genesis 44:6 Summary
Genesis 44:6 tells us that the steward caught up to Joseph's brothers and repeated Joseph's words to them, accusing them of stealing his special cup. This was a test to see how the brothers would react, as Joseph wanted to know if they had changed and would take care of his younger brother, Benjamin. The brothers were shocked and denied stealing, just like we might feel if we were falsely accused, as seen in Genesis 44:7-8. This story teaches us about the importance of honesty and integrity, and how our actions can affect our relationships with others, as also seen in Proverbs 10:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the role of the steward in this context?
The steward was the one who managed Joseph's household, as seen in Genesis 44:1, and he was tasked with confronting the brothers about the alleged theft, as per Joseph's instructions in Genesis 44:4-5.
Why did the steward relay Joseph's words to the brothers?
The steward relayed Joseph's words to the brothers in order to accuse them of stealing and to demand an explanation, as instructed by Joseph in Genesis 44:4-5, to test their integrity and honesty.
How did the brothers respond to the steward's accusations?
The brothers responded with surprise and denial, as seen in Genesis 44:7-8, claiming they would not have stolen from Joseph's house and reminding the steward that they had previously returned the silver they found in their sacks, demonstrating their innocence and integrity.
What does this verse reveal about Joseph's character?
This verse reveals that Joseph was a master strategist, using the steward to test his brothers and to see if they had changed, as part of his larger plan to reveal himself to them, as seen in Genesis 45:1-15.
Reflection Questions
- What would be your response if you were falsely accused of something, and how can you learn from the brothers' example in Genesis 44:7-8?
- How do you think the steward felt about being tasked with accusing the brothers, and what does this say about his loyalty to Joseph?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of honesty and integrity in our relationships with others, as seen in Genesis 44:7-8 and other scriptures like Proverbs 10:9?
- How can you apply the lesson of testing and trust, as seen in Joseph's actions in Genesis 44:4-5, to your own relationships and decision-making processes?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 44:6
And he overtook them,.... Their asses being laden with corn could not travel very fast, and he and his attendants being mounted on swift horses: and he spake unto them these same words; that Joseph
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 44:6
And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. He overtook them, and ... spake ... these ... words.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 44:6
Genesis 44:6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.Ver. 6. And he spake.]