Genesis 44:6
New International Version
When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.

New Living Translation
When the palace manager caught up with the men, he spoke to them as he had been instructed.

English Standard Version
When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words.

Berean Standard Bible
When the steward overtook them, he relayed these words to them.

King James Bible
And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.

New King James Version
So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.

New American Standard Bible
So he overtook them and spoke these words to them.

NASB 1995
So he overtook them and spoke these words to them.

NASB 1977
So he overtook them and spoke these words to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he overtook them and spoke these words to them.

Amplified Bible
So the steward overtook them and he said these words to them.

Christian Standard Bible
When he overtook them, he said these words to them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When he overtook them, he said these words to them.

American Standard Version
And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these words.

Contemporary English Version
When the servant caught up with them, he said exactly what Joseph had told him to say.

English Revised Version
And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these words.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.

Good News Translation
When the servant caught up with them, he repeated these words.

International Standard Version
So he went after them and made that accusation.

NET Bible
When the man overtook them, he spoke these words to them.

New Heart English Bible
And he caught up with them and spoke these words to them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
When the steward overtook them, he relayed these words to them.

World English Bible
He overtook them, and he spoke these words to them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he overtakes them, and speaks to them these words,

Young's Literal Translation
And he overtaketh them, and speaketh unto them these words,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will overtake them, and will speak to them these words.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He did as he had commanded him. And having overtaken them, he spoke to them the same words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He did as he had been ordered. And having overtaken them, he spoke to them according to the order.

New American Bible
When the steward overtook them and repeated these words to them,

New Revised Standard Version
When he overtook them, he repeated these words to them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he overtook them, and he spoke to them according to these words.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he overtook them, and he spoke unto them these words.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he found them, and spoke to them according to these words.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Benjamin and the Silver Cup
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. 7“Why does my lord say these things?” they asked. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing.…

Cross References
Genesis 42:9
Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said, “You are spies! You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”

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 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.”

Genesis 45:3
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.

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 1:10
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 21:16
Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.

Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you.

1 Samuel 12:3
Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”

2 Samuel 12:7-9
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. / I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. / Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

1 Kings 21:19
Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”

2 Kings 5:26
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?

Job 34:22
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

Psalm 50:18
When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers.

Proverbs 6:30-31
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. / Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.


Treasury of Scripture

And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.

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Caught Overtaketh Overtook Repeated Speaketh Words
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.














When the steward overtook them
The steward, a trusted servant of Joseph, plays a crucial role in this narrative. In ancient Egyptian households, stewards were often responsible for managing the master's affairs, indicating Joseph's high level of trust in him. The act of overtaking suggests urgency and authority, as the steward is sent to intercept Joseph's brothers. This moment is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the unfolding drama of reconciliation and testing. The steward's actions are part of Joseph's larger plan to test his brothers' integrity and repentance.

he relayed these words to them
The words relayed by the steward are a direct command from Joseph, reflecting his authority and the gravity of the situation. This moment is a test of the brothers' honesty and unity, as they are accused of stealing Joseph's silver cup. The steward's message is a catalyst for the brothers' introspection and eventual confession. This scenario echoes earlier biblical themes of testing and revelation, such as God's testing of Abraham in Genesis 22. The words also foreshadow the eventual revelation of Joseph's identity and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham's descendants.

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 due to a famine in Canaan.

3. Benjamin
The youngest brother, Joseph's full brother, whom Joseph desires to see and protect.

4. The Steward
Joseph's servant, who is instructed to follow the brothers and accuse them of theft.

5. Egypt
The land where Joseph has risen to power and where the events of this chapter take place.
Teaching Points
Testing and Transformation
Joseph's test of his brothers reveals their character development and repentance. Similarly, God may allow tests in our lives to reveal and refine our character.

The Role of Conscience
The brothers' reaction to the accusation shows their guilty conscience. Our conscience can guide us to repentance and reconciliation with God and others.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Joseph's actions foreshadow the ultimate reconciliation he seeks with his brothers. We are called to pursue forgiveness and reconciliation in our relationships.

Divine Providence
Joseph's account is a testament to God's providence, working through difficult circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Trust in God's plan, even when it is not immediately clear.

Integrity in Adversity
The brothers' response to the steward's accusation reflects their integrity. We are called to maintain integrity, even when falsely accused or misunderstood.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 44:6?

2. How does Genesis 44:6 demonstrate Joseph's strategy in testing his brothers' integrity?

3. What role does divine providence play in the events of Genesis 44:6?

4. How can Genesis 44:6 inspire us to seek truth in difficult situations?

5. In what ways does Genesis 44:6 connect to themes of repentance and forgiveness?

6. How can we apply the lessons from Genesis 44:6 in our daily lives?

7. What is the significance of the cup in Genesis 44:6 within Joseph's story?

8. How does Genesis 44:6 reflect on themes of justice and deception?

9. Why did Joseph choose to test his brothers in Genesis 44:6?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 44?

11. How does the elaborate scheme in Genesis 44:6–13 align with ethical principles, and why would a righteous figure like Joseph resort to deception rather than straightforward communication?

12. How do the events in Genesis 44 fit coherently with earlier chapters in Genesis, given the discrepancies in character motivations and the sudden moral tension introduced by Joseph's actions?

13. Who are the Franciscans?

14. (Genesis 43:12) How plausible is it that large amounts of silver were secretly returned without raising alarms among Egyptian authorities or the local population?
What Does Genesis 44:6 Mean
When the steward overtook them

• “When the steward overtook them” (Genesis 44:6) places us on the dusty road just outside Egypt. Joseph’s brothers have barely set out before the steward, acting under Joseph’s authority, catches up.

• The pursuit is deliberate—Joseph is testing hearts (Genesis 44:4–5). Like the Lord who lovingly confronts hidden sin (Numbers 32:23; Proverbs 28:13), Joseph does not let the past remain buried.

• Joseph’s steward bears the weight of his master’s command; likewise, believers are called to obey swiftly when God directs (1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 28:19–20).

• The sudden interruption forces the brothers to face consequences they never imagined. God often arranges “divine interceptions” that reveal character and invite repentance (Psalm 139:23–24; Acts 9:3–6).


He relayed these words to them

• The steward “relayed these words” exactly as Joseph instructed (Genesis 44:6b). Fidelity to the message matters; altering it would distort the test. In the same way, servants of God must transmit His Word without dilution (Jeremiah 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:2).

• The accusation—centering on Joseph’s silver cup (Genesis 44:5)—sounds harsh, yet its purpose is redemptive. Confrontation precedes reconciliation (2 Samuel 12:1–7; John 16:8).

• Hearing their own wrongdoing recounted through another’s lips jolts the brothers’ consciences, recalling earlier guilt over Joseph (Genesis 42:21–22). God still speaks through human voices to awaken sleepy hearts (Hebrews 3:13; James 5:19–20).

• The scene foreshadows the Gospel pattern: sin exposed, confession offered, grace extended (Luke 15:20–24; 1 John 1:9).


summary

Genesis 44:6 captures a pivotal moment: Joseph’s steward overtakes the brothers and faithfully delivers Joseph’s probing words. The chase underscores God’s loving persistence; the message models unaltered truth that convicts and ultimately restores.

Verse 6. - And he (i.e. the steward) overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When [the steward] overtook them,
וַֽיַּשִּׂגֵ֑ם (way·yaś·śi·ḡêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5381: To reach, overtake

he repeated
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

these
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

words
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

to them.
אֲלֵהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT Law: Genesis 44:6 He overtook them and he spoke these (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 44:5
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