Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But they said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! New Living Translation “What are you talking about?” the brothers responded. “We are your servants and would never do such a thing! English Standard Version They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! Berean Standard Bible “Why does my lord say these things?” they asked. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing. King James Bible And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible 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! NASB 1995 They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. NASB 1977 And they said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Legacy Standard Bible And they said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Amplified Bible They said to him, “Why does my lord speak these things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! Christian Standard Bible They said to him, “Why does my lord say these things? Your servants could not possibly do such a thing. Holman Christian Standard Bible They said to him, “Why does my lord say these things? Your servants could not possibly do such a thing. American Standard Version And they said unto him, Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? Far be it from thy servants that they should do such a thing. Contemporary English Version But they replied, "Sir, why do you say such things? We would never do anything like that! English Revised Version And they said unto him, Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? God forbid that thy servants should do such a thing. GOD'S WORD® Translation They answered him, "Sir, how can you say such things? We would never think of doing anything like that! Good News Translation They answered him, "What do you mean, sir, by talking like this? We swear that we have done no such thing. International Standard Version "Your Excellency," they replied, "Why do you speak like this? Far be it from your servants to act like this. Majority Standard Bible ?Why does my lord say these things?? they asked. ?Your servants could not possibly do such a thing. NET Bible They answered him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! New Heart English Bible But 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. Webster's Bible Translation And they said to him, Why saith my lord these words? Far be it from us that thy servants should do according to this thing: World English Bible 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! Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they say to him, “Why does my lord speak according to these words? Far be it from your servants to do according to this word; Young's Literal Translation and they say unto him, 'Why doth my lord speak according to these words? far be it from thy servants to do according to this word; Smith's Literal Translation And they will say to him, For what will my lord speak according to these words? far be it for thy servants to do according to this word. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they answered: Why doth our lord speak so, as though thy servants had committed so heinous a fact? Catholic Public Domain Version And they responded: “Why does our lord speak in this way, as though your servants had committed such a shameful act? New American Bible they said to him: “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! New Revised Standard Version 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! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey said to him, Let not our lord speak such words. Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They were saying to him, “Our Lord should not say these words. God forbid that your Servants would do this thing. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they said unto him: 'Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? Far be it from thy servants that they should do such a thing. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they said to him, Why does our lord speak according to these words? far be it from thy servants to do according to this word. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Benjamin and the Silver Cup…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?… Cross References Genesis 42:18-22 and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live: / If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. / Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented. ... Genesis 43:18-22 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. ... Exodus 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 23:7 Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Deuteronomy 19:16-19 If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, ... 1 Samuel 24:9-11 and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? / Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ / See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. 2 Samuel 16:17-19 “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” / “Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by this people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. / Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.” 1 Kings 8:31-32 When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, / then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness. Job 22:5-6 Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless? / For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing. Psalm 7:3-5 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands, / if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause, / then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah Psalm 26:6-7 I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD, / to raise my voice in thanksgiving and declare all Your wonderful works. Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD. Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Jeremiah 2:35 you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Treasury of Scripture And they said to him, Why said my lord these words? God forbid that your servants should do according to this thing: Genesis 34:25-31 And 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… Genesis 35:22 And 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: Genesis 37:18-32 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him… Jump to Previous Far Forbid Servants Speak Speaketh Wherefore Word WordsJump to Next Far Forbid Servants Speak Speaketh Wherefore Word WordsGenesis 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. “Why does my lord say these things?” In this phrase, the brothers of Joseph are addressing the steward of Joseph's house, who has accused them of stealing Joseph's silver cup. The term "my lord" reflects the social hierarchy and respect for authority in ancient Egypt, where Joseph held a high position. This question indicates their confusion and distress, as they are unaware of the planted evidence. The brothers' response can be seen as a plea for justice and truth, echoing the biblical theme of innocence being falsely accused, similar to Joseph's own experience in Genesis 39 when he was wrongfully imprisoned. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing.” Persons / Places / Events 1. Joseph- The governor of Egypt, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to power. He orchestrates a test for his brothers to see if they have changed. 2. Joseph's Brothers - The sons of Jacob, who previously sold Joseph into slavery. They are now in Egypt to buy grain during a famine. 3. Benjamin - The youngest brother, who is favored by Jacob after Joseph's presumed death. Joseph's test involves Benjamin to see how the brothers will react. 4. Egypt - The land where Joseph has risen to power and where the events of this chapter take place. 5. The Steward - Joseph's servant who is instructed to place Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's sack and later confronts the brothers about the alleged theft. Teaching Points Integrity and RepentanceThe brothers' response to the accusation reveals their changed hearts. True repentance involves a transformation of character and actions. Testing and Growth God often allows tests in our lives to reveal our character and promote spiritual growth. Joseph's test of his brothers is a divine opportunity for them to demonstrate their integrity. God's Sovereignty Despite human actions, God's plan prevails. Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership in Egypt illustrates God's sovereign control over circumstances. Forgiveness and Reconciliation Joseph's eventual forgiveness of his brothers is a powerful example of reconciliation, which is central to Christian teaching. Trust in God's Plan Even in difficult situations, we can trust that God is working for our good, as seen in Joseph's life.Verses 7-10. - And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do (literally, for be thy seesaws from doing) according to s thing: behold, the money (literally, the silver), which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan (this was an irrefragable proof of their honesty): how then should we steal out of my lord's house silver or gold? They were even so confident of their innocence that they ventured on a rash proposition. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen - literally, for servants to my lord. And he (the steward) said, Now also let it be according to your words. So LXX., Vulgate, and commentators generally; but Kalisch reads it as an interrogation, "Is it right according to your words?" meaning that strict justice demanded only the punishment of the thief, as he explained. He with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye (i.e. the others of you) shall be blameless. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Whyלָ֚מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what does my lord אֲדֹנִ֔י (’ă·ḏō·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller say יְדַבֵּ֣ר (yə·ḏab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue these הָאֵ֑לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those things?” כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים (kad·də·ḇā·rîm) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause they asked. וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “Your servants לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ (la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant could not possibly חָלִ֙ילָה֙ (ḥā·lî·lāh) Interjection | third person feminine singular Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it! do מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹת (mê·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make such הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that a thing. כַּדָּבָ֥ר (kad·dā·ḇār) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause Links Genesis 44:7 NIVGenesis 44:7 NLT Genesis 44:7 ESV Genesis 44:7 NASB Genesis 44:7 KJV Genesis 44:7 BibleApps.com Genesis 44:7 Biblia Paralela Genesis 44:7 Chinese Bible Genesis 44:7 French Bible Genesis 44:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 44:7 They said to him Why does my (Gen. 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