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Saturday, July 12th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Myles Coverdale Bible

Genesis 44:4

But whan they were out of the cite, and not come farre, Ioseph sayde to the ruler of his house: Vp, and folowe after the me, and whan thou ouertakest them, saie vnto them: Wherfore haue ye rewarded euell for good?

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Evil for Good;   Money;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Persecution;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Cup;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Steward;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Augury;   Follow;   Shebna;   Steward;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Cup;   Joseph;   Levi Ii.;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Yosef said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, tell them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?
King James Version
And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
Lexham English Bible
They went out of the city, and had not gone far when Joseph said to the one who was over his house, "Arise! Pursue after the men and overtake them. Then you shall say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?
New Century Version
They were not far from the city when Joseph said to the servant in charge of his house, "Go after the men. When you catch up with them, say, ‘Why have you paid back evil for good?
New English Translation
They had not gone very far from the city when Joseph said to the servant who was over his household, "Pursue the men at once! When you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?
Amplified Bible
When they had left the city, and were not yet far away, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid evil [to us] for good [paid to you]?
New American Standard Bible
They had just left the city, and were not far away, when Joseph said to his house steward, "Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid evil for good?
Geneva Bible (1587)
And when they went out of the citie not farre off, Ioseph sayd to his stewarde, Vp, followe after the men: and when thou doest ouertake them, say vnto them, Wherefore haue ye rewarded euill for good?
Legacy Standard Bible
Now they had just gone out of the city and were not far off when Joseph said to his house steward, "Arise, pursue the men; you shall overtake them and say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?
Contemporary English Version
But they had not gone far from the city when Joseph told the servant, "Go after those men! When you catch them, say, ‘My master has been good to you. So why have you stolen his silver cup?
Complete Jewish Bible
but before they were far from the city Yosef said to his manager, "Up, go after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?
Darby Translation
They were gone out of the city, [and] not [yet] far off, when Joseph said to him who was over his house, Up! follow after the men; and when thou overtakest them, thou shalt say to them, Why have ye rewarded evil for good?
Easy-to-Read Version
After they had left the city, Joseph said to his servant, "Go and follow the men. Stop them and say to them, ‘We were good to you! So why have you been bad to us? Why did you steal my master's silver cup?
English Standard Version
They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?
George Lamsa Translation
And when they were gone out of the city, but not yet far off, Joseph said to the steward, Arise, pursue the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you returned evil for good?
Good News Translation
When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to the servant in charge of his house, "Hurry after those men. When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you paid back evil for good?
Christian Standard Bible®
They had not gone very far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Get up. Pursue the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?
Literal Translation
They had gone out from the city, not having gone far, and Joseph said to the one over his house, Rise up, pursue the men and overtake them, and say to them, Why have you repaid evil for good?
American Standard Version
And when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
Bible in Basic English
And when they had gone only a little way out of the town, Joseph said to the servant who was over his house, Go after them; and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you done evil in reward for good?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And when they were out of the citie, and not yet farre away, Ioseph sayde vnto the ruler of his house: vp, and folowe after the men, & when thou doest ouertake them, thou shalt say vnto them: wherfore haue ye rewarded euyl for good?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward: 'Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them: Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
King James Version (1611)
And when they were gone out of the citie, and not yet farre off, Ioseph said vnto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou doest ouertake them, say vnto them, Wherefore haue ye rewarded euill for good?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And when they had gone out of the city, and were not far off, then Joseph said to his steward, Arise, and pursue after the men; and thou shalt overtake them, and say to them, Why have ye returned evil for good?
English Revised Version
And when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
Berean Standard Bible
They 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?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And now thei hadden go out of the citee, and hadden go forth a litil; thanne Joseph seide, whanne the dispendere of his hous was clepid, Rise thou, pursue the men, and seye thou whanne thei ben takun, Whi han ye yolde yuel for good?
Young's Literal Translation
they have gone out of the city -- they have not gone far off -- and Joseph hath said to him who [is] over his house, `Rise, pursue after the men; and thou hast overtaken them, and thou hast said unto them, Why have ye recompensed evil for good?
Update Bible Version
[And] when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, Get up, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you rewarded evil for good?
Webster's Bible Translation
[And] when they had gone out of the city, [and] were not [yet] far off, Joseph said to his steward, Arise, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say to them, Why have ye rewarded evil for good?
World English Bible
When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, tell them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?
New King James Version
When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, "Why have you repaid evil for good?
New Living Translation
But when they had gone only a short distance and were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his palace manager, "Chase after them and stop them. When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid my kindness with such evil?
New Life Bible
When they had left the city and were not far away, Joseph said to the man who took care of his house, "Get up and follow the men. When you come to them, say to them, ‘Why have you returned bad for good? Why have you stolen the silver cup?
New Revised Standard
When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to his steward, "Go, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you returned evil for good? Why have you stolen my silver cup?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
They themselves, had gone out of the city - they had not gone far, when Joseph said to him who was over his house, Rise chase after the men, - so shalt thou overtake them and shalt say unto them, Wherefore have ye requited evil for good?
Douay-Rheims Bible
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?
Revised Standard Version
When they had gone but a short distance from the city, Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you returned evil for good? Why have you stolen my silver cup?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
They had just gone out of the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, "Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid evil for good?

Contextual Overview

1 And Ioseph commaunded the ruler of his house, and sayde: Fyll the mens sackes with foode, as moch as they maye carye, 2 and put euery mans money in his sacke mouth, & put my syluer cuppe in the sack mouth of the yongest with the money for ye vytayles. He dyd as Ioseph had sayde. 3 And on the morow whan it was daye, they let ye men go with their Asses. 4 But whan they were out of the cite, and not come farre, Ioseph sayde to the ruler of his house: Vp, and folowe after the me, and whan thou ouertakest them, saie vnto them: Wherfore haue ye rewarded euell for good? 5 Is not that it, that my lorde drynketh out of? and that he prophecieth withall? It is euell done of you, that ye haue done. 6 And whan he had ouertaken them, he sayde the same wordes vnto them. 7 They answered him: Wherfore saieth my lorde soch wordes? God forbyd, that thy seruauntes shulde do eny soch thinge? 8 Beholde, the money that we foude in oure sackes mouthes, that brought we vnto the agayne, out of the lande of Canaan: how shulde we then haue stollen either syluer or golde out of thy lordes house? 9 Loke by whom it shall be founde amonge thy seruauntes, let him dye: yee and we also wyll be my lordes bondmen. 10 He sayde: let it so be, as ye haue spoken. Loke by whom it shall be founde, let him be my seruaunt, but ye shalbe harmlesse.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Up: Deuteronomy 2:16

Wherefore: 1 Samuel 24:17, 2 Chronicles 20:11, Psalms 35:12, Psalms 109:5, Proverbs 17:13, John 10:32

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:15 - What Exodus 32:1 - Up Judges 4:14 - Up 1 Samuel 9:26 - Up 1 Samuel 25:21 - he hath requited Psalms 7:4 - If I John 13:25 - who

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 2:16
And whan all the men of warre were cosumed, so yt they were deed amonge the people,
1 Samuel 24:17
and saide vnto Dauid: Thou art more righteous then I: for thou hast recompesed me good, but I haue rewarded the euell.
2 Chronicles 20:11
and beholde, they deale contrarely with vs, and come to thrust vs out of the inheritaunce, that thou hast geuen vs in possession.
Psalms 35:12
They rewarde me euell for good, to the greate discomforth of my soule.
Psalms 109:5
Set an vngodly man to be ruler ouer him, & let Satan stonde at his right hande.
Proverbs 17:13
Who so rewardeth euell for good, the plage shal not departe fro his house.
John 10:32
Iesus answered the: Many good workes haue I shewed you fro my father, for which of the stone ye me?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

[And] when they were gone out of the city, [and] not [yet] far off,.... Which perhaps was Tanis, the Zoan of the Scriptures; see

Ezekiel 30:14, margin;

Joseph said unto his steward, up, follow after the men; who no doubt was ready provided with men and horses, to go out and pursue when Joseph should give the orders, he being privy to Joseph's intentions, and with whom the scheme was concerted, and the secret was. Joseph appears to have been up very early this morning, and had observed the exact time of his brethren's departure, and guessed whereabouts they might be when he sent his steward, and others after them; for it can hardly be thought he was sent alone after eleven men, and to charge them with a theft, and bring them back again:

and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? in taking away the silver cup, when they had been so kindly and bountifully entertained. This he was to represent as base ingratitude, as it would have appeared, had it been fact. In much such manner was Esop used by the inhabitants of Delphos; they, being displeased with him, put a sacred cup or vial into his bags, which he, being ignorant of, went on his way towards Phocis; and they ran after him, and seized him, and charged him with sacrilege h.

h Scholia ad Vespes Aristophanis, p. 534. Ed. Genev. 1607.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

- The Ten Brothers Were Tested

Joseph has had the satisfaction of seeing his brother Benjamin safe and well. He has heard his brothers acknowledging their guilt concerning himself. He resolves to put their attachment to Benjamin, and the genuineness of their change of disposition, to a test that will at the same time expose Benjamin to no hazard.

Genesis 44:1-5

And my cup. - Besides returning each man’s money as before, a silver cup of Joseph’s is put in Benjamin’s bag, after which, when daylight comes, they are dismissed. They are scarcely out of the town when Joseph’s steward is ordered to overtake them, and charge them with stealing the cup. “And whereby indeed he divineth.” Divining by cups, we learn from this, was a common custom in Egypt (Herodotus ii. 83). It is here mentioned to enhance the value of the cup. Whether Joseph really practised any sort of divination cannot be determined from this passage.

Genesis 44:6-12

The cup is found in Benjamin’s bag. “Spake unto them these words.” The words of Joseph, supplying of course the mention of the cup which is expressed in the text only by the pronoun this. “We brought back to thee.” Silver that we might have retained, and to which you made no claim when we tendered it, we brought back. How or why should we therefore, steal silver? “Now also according to your words let it be.” He adopts their terms with a mitigation. He with whom the cup is found shall become a slave for life, and the rest be acquitted. The steward searches from the oldest to the youngest. The cup is found where it was put.

Genesis 44:13-17

“They rent their garments;” the natural token of a sorrow that knows no remedy. “And Judah went.” He had pledged himself for the safety of Benjamin to his father. And he was yet there; awaiting no doubt the result which he anticipated. “They fell before him on the earth.” It is no longer a bending of the head or bowing of the body, but the posture of deepest humiliation. How deeply that early dream penetrated into the stern reality! “Wot ye not that such a man as I doth certainly divine?” Joseph keeps up the show of resentment for a little longer, and brings out from Judah the most pathetic plea of its kind that ever was uttered. “The God,” the great and only God, “hath found out the iniquity of thy servants;” in our dark and treacherous dealing with our brother. “Behold, we are servants to my lord.” He resigns himself and all to perpetual bondage, as the doom of a just God upon their still-remembered crime. “He shall be my servant; and ye, go up in peace to your father.” Now is the test applied with the nicest adjustment. Now is the moment of agony and suspense to Joseph. Will my brothers prove true? says he within himself. Will Judah prove adequate to the occasion? say we. His pleading with his father augured well.

Verse 18-34

“And Judah came near unto him.” He is going to surrender himself as a slave for life, that Benjamin may go home with his brothers, who are permitted to depart. “Let thy servant now speak a word in the ears of my lord.” There is nothing here but respectful calmness of demeanor. “And let not thine anger burn against thy servant.” He intuitively feels that the grand vizier is a man of like feelings with himself. He will surmount the distinction of rank, and stand with him on the ground of a common humanity. “For so art thou as Pharaoh.” Thou hast power to grant or withhold my request. This forms, the exordium of the speech. Then follows the plea. This consists in a simple statement of the facts, which Judah expects to have its native effect upon a rightly-constituted heart. We will not touch this statement, except to explain two or three expressions. A young lad - a comparative youth. “Let me set mine eyes upon him” - regard him with favor and kindness. “He shall leave his father and he shall die.” If he were to leave his father, his father would die. Such is the natural interpretation of these words, as the paternal affection is generally stronger than the filial. “And now let thy servant now abide instead of the lad a servant to my lord.” Such is the humble and earnest petition of Judah. He calmly and firmly sacrifices home, family, and birthright, rather than see an aged father die of a broken heart.


 
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