And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
Parallel translations
- WEB They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing!
- BSB “Why does my lord say these things?” they asked. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing.
- NKJV And they said to him, “Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing.
- NASB And they said to him, “Why does my lord say such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!
- NLT “What are you talking about?” the brothers responded. “We are your servants and would never do such a thing!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The brothers protest their innocence, insisting such theft is unthinkable for them. Their indignation shows a conscience now sensitive to wrongdoing.
Overview
The brothers respond with sincere shock, certain none of them would steal from their benefactor. Their strong denial reflects how far they believe themselves removed from such crime, though they do not yet know they are being tested for an older guilt. Their wounded protest sets the stage for the painful discovery that follows.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Gen 38:16–18And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?
- Eccl 7:1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
- 2 Kgs 8:13And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
- Gen 35:22And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
- Prov 22:1A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
- Heb 13:18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
- Gen 37:18–32And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
- Josh 22:22–29The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
- Gen 34:25–31And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
- 2 Sam 20:20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 44:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.