Genesis 44:12
New International Version
Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

New Living Translation
The palace manager searched the brothers’ sacks, from the oldest to the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack!

English Standard Version
And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

Berean Standard Bible
The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest—and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

King James Bible
And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

New King James Version
So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

New American Standard Bible
And he searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

NASB 1995
He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

NASB 1977
And he searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

Amplified Bible
The steward searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

Christian Standard Bible
The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

American Standard Version
And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left off at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Contemporary English Version
Joseph's servant started searching the sacks, beginning with the one that belonged to the oldest brother. When he came to Benjamin's sack, he found the cup.

English Revised Version
And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the man made a thorough search. He began with the oldest and ended with the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Good News Translation
Joseph's servant searched carefully, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

International Standard Version
The palace manager searched for the cup, beginning with the oldest brother's sack and ending with the youngest brother's sack, and there it was!—in Benjamin's sack.

Majority Standard Bible
The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest—and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

NET Bible
Then the man searched. He began with the oldest and finished with the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack!

New Heart English Bible
And he searched, beginning with the oldest, and ending at the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

World English Bible
He searched, beginning with the oldest, and ending at the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he searches—at the eldest he has begun, and at the youngest he has completed—and the cup is found in the bag of Benjamin;

Young's Literal Translation
and he searcheth -- at the eldest he hath begun, and at the youngest he hath completed -- and the cup is found in the bag of Benjamin;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will search, beginning at the great and finishing at the small: and he will find the cup in Benjamin's sack.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which when he had searched, beginning at the eldest and ending at the youngest, he found the cup in Benjamin's sack.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he had searched, beginning with the oldest, all the way to the youngest, he found the cup in Benjamin’s sack.

New American Bible
and when a search was made, starting with the oldest and ending with the youngest, the goblet turned up in Benjamin’s bag.

New Revised Standard Version
He searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they searched, beginning from the elder and finishing with the youngest, and the cup was found in the sack of Benyamin.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he searched, beginning at the eldest, and leaving off at the youngest; and the goblet was found in Benjamin's sack.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he searched, beginning from the eldest, until he came to the youngest; and he found the cup in Benjamin's sack.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Benjamin and the Silver Cup
11So each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. 12The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest— and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.…

Cross References
Genesis 42:25-28
Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out, / and they loaded the grain on their donkeys and departed. / At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack. ...

Genesis 43:18-23
But the brothers were frightened that they had been taken to Joseph’s house. “We have been brought here because of the silver that was returned in our bags the first time,” they said. “They intend to overpower us and take us as slaves, along with our donkeys.” / So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. / “Please, sir,” they said, “we really did come down here the first time to buy food. ...

Genesis 37:28
So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Genesis 45:3-5
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. / Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Exodus 1:8-10
Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”

Exodus 12:35-36
Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

1 Samuel 9:20
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And upon whom is all the desire of Israel, if not upon you and all your father’s house?”

1 Kings 3:16-28
At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ...

2 Kings 5:26-27
But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? / Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.

Job 12:16
True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.

Psalm 105:17-22
He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, / until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. ...

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.


Treasury of Scripture

And he searched, and began at the oldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

began.

Genesis 43:33
And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.

and the cup.

Genesis 44:26-32
And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us…

Genesis 42:36-38
And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me…

Genesis 43:14
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

Jump to Previous
Bag Beginning Begun Benjamin Benjamin's Carefully Completed Cup Eldest Ended Ending Found Goblet Leaving Oldest Proceeded Sack Search Searched Searcheth Starting Steward Youngest
Jump to Next
Bag Beginning Begun Benjamin Benjamin's Carefully Completed Cup Eldest Ended Ending Found Goblet Leaving Oldest Proceeded Sack Search Searched Searcheth Starting Steward Youngest
Genesis 44
1. Joseph's policy to stay his brothers.
6. The silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack.
14. They are brought before Joseph.
18. Judah's humble supplication to Joseph.














The steward searched
The role of the steward in this narrative is significant. In ancient Egyptian households, a steward was a trusted servant responsible for managing the affairs of the household. This reflects Joseph's high status in Egypt, as he entrusts this important task to his steward. The Hebrew word for "searched" is "בָּקַשׁ" (baqash), which implies a diligent and thorough search. This action sets the stage for the unfolding drama, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the search and the gravity of the situation.

beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest
This phrase highlights the orderliness and intentionality of the search. The brothers are lined up according to their birth order, which mirrors the earlier scene where Joseph seated them in the same order during the meal (Genesis 43:33). This detail underscores the divine orchestration at play, as Joseph's knowledge of their birth order is part of his larger plan to test his brothers. The Hebrew culture placed significant importance on birth order, often associating it with inheritance rights and familial responsibilities.

And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack
The discovery of the cup in Benjamin's sack is the climax of the narrative. The cup, a symbol of Joseph's authority and divination, is strategically placed to test the brothers' integrity and loyalty. The Hebrew word for "found" is "מָצָא" (matsa), which conveys the idea of discovery or uncovering something hidden. Benjamin, the youngest and most beloved by their father Jacob, becomes the focal point of the brothers' test. This moment is pivotal, as it forces the brothers to confront their past actions and their treatment of Joseph. Theologically, this scene foreshadows the redemptive themes of forgiveness and reconciliation that are central to the Joseph narrative.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The steward searched,
וַיְחַפֵּ֕שׂ (way·ḥap·pêś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2664: To seek, to conceal oneself, mask

beginning
הֵחֵ֔ל (hê·ḥêl)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

with the oldest
בַּגָּד֣וֹל (bag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

and ending
כִּלָּ֑ה (kil·lāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

with the youngest—
וּבַקָּטֹ֖ן (ū·ḇaq·qā·ṭōn)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant

and the cup
הַגָּבִ֔יעַ (hag·gā·ḇî·a‘)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1375: A goblet, the calyx of a, flower

was found
וַיִּמָּצֵא֙ (way·yim·mā·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

in Benjamin’s
בִּנְיָמִֽן׃ (bin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

sack.
בְּאַמְתַּ֖חַת (bə·’am·ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 572: Something expansive, a bag


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OT Law: Genesis 44:12 He searched beginning with the eldest (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 44:11
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