Genesis 44:5
New International Version
Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’”

New Living Translation
Why have you stolen my master’s silver cup, which he uses to predict the future? What a wicked thing you have done!’”

English Standard Version
Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’ ”

King James Bible
Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

New King James Version
Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Is this not that from which my lord drinks, and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this!’”

NASB 1995
‘Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’”

NASB 1977
‘Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses to interpret omens? You have done evil in doing this.’”

Amplified Bible
Is this not my lord’s drinking cup and the one which he uses for divination? You have done [a great and unforgivable] wrong in doing this.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t this the cup that my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wrong! ’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t this the cup that my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wrong!’”

American Standard Version
Is not this that in which my lord drinketh, and whereby he indeed divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

Contemporary English Version
Not only does he drink from his cup, but he also uses it to learn about the future. You have done a terrible thing.'"

English Revised Version
Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby he indeed divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isn't this the cup that my master drinks from and that he uses for telling the future? What you have done is evil!'"

Good News Translation
Why did you steal my master's silver cup? It is the one he drinks from, the one he uses for divination. You have committed a serious crime!'"

International Standard Version
Don't you have the cup that my master uses to drink from and also uses to practice divination? You're wrong to have done this.'"

Majority Standard Bible
Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’”

NET Bible
Doesn't my master drink from this cup and use it for divination? You have done wrong!'"

New Heart English Bible
Why have you stolen my silver cup? Isn’t it from this that my lord drinks and by which he indeed uses for divination? You have done evil in doing this.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Is not this the cup in which my lord drinketh, and by which indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

World English Bible
Isn’t this that from which my lord drinks, and by which he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Is this not that with which my lord drinks? And he observes diligently with it; you have done evil [in] that which you have done.”

Young's Literal Translation
Is not this that with which my lord drinketh? and he observeth diligently with it; ye have done evil in that which ye have done.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Is it not this which my lord will drink in it, and divining he will divine in it? ye were evil in which ye did.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The cup which you have stolen is that in which my lord drinketh, and in which he is wont to divine: you have done a very evil thing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The cup that you have stolen, it is that from which my lord drinks, and in which he is accustomed to discern signs. You have done a very sinful thing.’ ”

New American Bible
Is it not the very one from which my master drinks and which he uses for divination? What you have done is wrong.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
Is it not from this that my lord drinks? Does he not indeed use it for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This is the cup from which my lord drinks, and by which indeed he divines. You have done evil in so doing.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
This is the cup in which my Lord drinks, also truly he divines with it; you have done evil in that which you have done.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby he indeed divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Why have ye stolen my silver cup? is it not this out of which my lord drinks? and he divines augury with it; ye have accomplished evil in that which ye have done.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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.…

Cross References
Genesis 42:15-16
And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. / Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

Genesis 43:18
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.”

Exodus 4:2-4
And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. / “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

Exodus 7:10-12
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. / But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.

Exodus 8:19
“This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

Exodus 14:16
And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Numbers 22:31-35
Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown. / The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perverse before me. / The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.” ...

1 Kings 13:4-6
Now when King Jeroboam, who was at the altar in Bethel, heard the word that the man of God had cried out against it, he stretched out his hand and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward him withered, so that he could not pull it back. / And the altar was split apart, and the ashes poured out, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. / Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.

2 Kings 6:17-20
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. / As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. / And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. ...

Daniel 2:27-28
Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:

Daniel 4:9
“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery baffles you. So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.

Matthew 2:1-2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.”

Matthew 26:48-50
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. / “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.

Mark 6:49-50
but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost— / for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”


Treasury of Scripture

Is not this it in which my lord drinks, and whereby indeed he divines? you have done evil in so doing.

divineth.

Genesis 44:15
And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

Genesis 30:27
And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Leviticus 19:26
Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

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Cup Diligently Divination Divineth Drinketh Drinks Evil Future Gets Indeed Master Observeth Uses Whereby Wicked Wine Wrong
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.














Is this not the cup
The phrase "Is this not the cup" refers to a specific object of significance in the narrative. In ancient Egyptian culture, cups were often used in rituals and were considered valuable. The Hebrew word for "cup" here is "גָּבִיעַ" (gavi'a), which can denote a bowl or goblet, often used in ceremonial contexts. This cup is central to the unfolding drama, symbolizing both Joseph's authority and the test of his brothers' integrity.

that my master drinks from
The phrase "that my master drinks from" emphasizes the personal connection and value of the cup to Joseph, who is referred to as "my master" by his steward. This highlights Joseph's elevated status in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. The act of drinking from a cup in ancient times was not merely a mundane activity but often carried social and religious significance, indicating fellowship and covenant.

and uses for divination?
The use of the cup "for divination" introduces a complex element. The Hebrew word for divination is "נַחֵשׁ" (nachash), which can mean to practice divination or to observe signs. While divination was common in ancient Egypt, the Bible generally condemns it (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This raises questions about Joseph's practices. However, it is likely that Joseph, who was known for his God-given ability to interpret dreams, did not actually practice divination but used this as a ruse to test his brothers.

What you have done
The phrase "What you have done" points to the accusation against Joseph's brothers. It implies a breach of trust and a moral failing. In the broader narrative, this accusation serves to bring the brothers to a point of self-reflection and repentance, echoing their earlier betrayal of Joseph.

is wicked!
The term "wicked" is translated from the Hebrew word "רָע" (ra), which means evil or morally wrong. This strong condemnation underscores the gravity of the alleged theft. In the biblical context, wickedness is not just a legal issue but a spiritual one, reflecting a heart turned away from God's righteousness. This accusation sets the stage for the brothers' eventual confession and reconciliation, highlighting themes of justice, mercy, and redemption.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Is this not
הֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the cup that
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

my master
אֲדֹנִי֙ (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

drinks from
יִשְׁתֶּ֤ה (yiš·teh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

and uses for divination?
נַחֵ֥שׁ (na·ḥêš)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5172: To hiss, whisper a, spell, to prognosticate

What
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you have done
עֲשִׂיתֶֽם׃ (‘ă·śî·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

is wicked!’”
הֲרֵעֹתֶ֖ם (hă·rê·‘ō·ṯem)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad


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OT Law: Genesis 44:5 Isn't this that from which my lord (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 44:4
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