Genesis 44:13
New International Version
At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.

New Living Translation
When the brothers saw this, they tore their clothing in despair. Then they loaded their donkeys again and returned to the city.

English Standard Version
Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

Berean Standard Bible
Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.

King James Bible
Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

New King James Version
Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

New American Standard Bible
Then they tore their clothes in grief, and when each man had loaded his donkey, they returned to the city.

NASB 1995
Then they tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to the city.

NASB 1977
Then they tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to the city.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

Amplified Bible
Then they tore their clothes [in grief]; and after each man had loaded his donkey again, they returned to the city.

Christian Standard Bible
Then they tore their clothes, and each one loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they tore their clothes, and each one loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

American Standard Version
Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

Contemporary English Version
This upset the brothers so much that they began tearing their clothes in sorrow. Then they loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.

English Revised Version
Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they saw this, they tore their clothes in grief. Then each one loaded his donkey and went back into the city.

Good News Translation
The brothers tore their clothes in sorrow, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.

International Standard Version
At this, they all tore their clothes, reloaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.

Majority Standard Bible
Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.

NET Bible
They all tore their clothes! Then each man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

New Heart English Bible
Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then they rent their clothes, and loaded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

World English Bible
Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey, and returned to the city.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they tear their garments, and each loads his donkey, and they return to the city.

Young's Literal Translation
and they rend their garments, and each ladeth his ass, and they turn back to the city.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will rend their garments, and will lift up each upon his ass, and will turn back to the city.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then they rent their garments, and loading their asses again, returned into the town.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But they, tearing their garments and burdening their donkeys again, returned to the town.

New American Bible
At this, they tore their garments. Then, when each man had loaded his donkey again, they returned to the city.

New Revised Standard Version
At this they tore their clothes. Then each one loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they tore their clothes, and loaded every man his ass, and returned to the town.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they ripped open their garments, and each man packed up on his donkey and they returned to the city.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they rent their garments, and laid each man his sack on his ass, and returned to the city.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Benjamin and the Silver Cup
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. 14When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him.…

Cross References
Genesis 37:29-34
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes, / returned to his brothers, and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?” / Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. ...

Genesis 42:35-38
As they began emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of silver! And when they and their father saw the bags of silver, they were dismayed. / Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!” / Then Reuben said to his father, “You may kill my two sons if I fail to bring him back to you. Put him in my care, and I will return him.” ...

2 Samuel 1:11-12
Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

Joshua 7:6
Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads.

2 Kings 18:37
Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.

Job 1:20
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

Jeremiah 36:24
Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.

2 Samuel 13:31
Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground. And all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.

Numbers 14:6
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes

1 Kings 21:27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.

Matthew 26:65
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

Acts 14:14
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,

Mark 14:63
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?

Luke 19:41
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it

John 11:33-35
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept.


Treasury of Scripture

Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

Genesis 37:29-34
And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes…

Numbers 14:6
And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

2 Samuel 1:2,11
It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance…

Jump to Previous
Ass Asses Bags Bitter City Clothes Donkey Donkeys Garments Grief Loaded Rend Rent Tore Turn
Jump to Next
Ass Asses Bags Bitter City Clothes Donkey Donkeys Garments Grief Loaded Rend Rent Tore Turn
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.














Then they all tore their clothes
Tearing one's clothes in the ancient Near East was a traditional expression of deep grief, distress, or repentance. This act is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as when Jacob believed Joseph was dead (Genesis 37:34) and when Job experienced his great losses (Job 1:20). In this context, the brothers' tearing of their clothes signifies their profound anguish and desperation upon discovering the silver cup in Benjamin's sack, fearing the consequences and the impact on their father, Jacob.

loaded their donkeys
Donkeys were common pack animals in the ancient world, used for transportation and carrying goods. The mention of donkeys highlights the brothers' readiness to return immediately to Joseph, indicating their urgency and the seriousness of the situation. This detail also reflects the historical and cultural context of the time, where donkeys were essential for travel and trade.

and returned to the city
The city referred to here is likely the Egyptian city where Joseph, as a high-ranking official, resided. This return marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, as the brothers must face Joseph and the potential consequences of the alleged theft. The city serves as the setting for the unfolding of God's providential plan, where Joseph's true identity will eventually be revealed. This return also foreshadows the reconciliation and restoration that will occur, aligning with the broader biblical theme of redemption and forgiveness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
- The governor of Egypt, who orchestrated the test of his brothers by placing a silver cup in Benjamin's sack.

2. Joseph's Brothers
- The sons of Jacob, who are returning to Egypt after being accused of stealing Joseph's silver cup.

3. Benjamin
- The youngest brother, in whose sack the silver cup was found, causing distress among the brothers.

4. Egypt
- The land where Joseph is second in command and where the brothers have come to buy grain.

5. The City
- Refers to the city of Egypt where Joseph resides and where the brothers return to face the consequences of the alleged theft.
Teaching Points
Expression of Grief
The act of tearing clothes in Genesis 44:13 is a profound expression of grief and despair. It reflects the brothers' realization of the gravity of their situation and their helplessness. In our lives, we must recognize and express our emotions in healthy ways, bringing our burdens to God in prayer.

Unity in Adversity
Despite their past conflicts, the brothers unite in their distress and return together to the city. This unity in adversity can teach us the importance of standing together with family and community during difficult times.

Facing Consequences
The brothers' return to the city signifies their willingness to face the consequences of their actions. As believers, we are called to take responsibility for our actions and seek reconciliation and forgiveness when we err.

Providence and Testing
Joseph's test of his brothers is part of God's providential plan to bring about reconciliation and growth. In our lives, we may face tests that challenge us, but we can trust that God uses these for our ultimate good and His glory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then they all tore
וַֽיִּקְרְע֖וּ (way·yiq·rə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7167: To rend

their clothes,
שִׂמְלֹתָ֑ם (śim·lō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8071: A dress, a mantle

loaded
וַֽיַּעֲמֹס֙ (way·ya·‘ă·mōs)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6006: To load, impose a, burden

their donkeys,
חֲמֹר֔וֹ (ḥă·mō·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2543: A male ass

and returned
וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ (way·yā·šu·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to the city.
הָעִֽירָה׃ (hā·‘î·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT Law: Genesis 44:13 Then they tore their clothes and every (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 44:12
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