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Genesis 44:4 - Yosef tests brothers' repentance

Genesis 44:4 - בראשית 44:4

Hebrew Text

הֵם יָצְאוּ אֶת־הָעִיר לֹא הִרְחִיקוּ וְיוֹסֵף אָמַר לַאֲשֶׁר עַל־בֵּיתוֹ קוּם רְדֹף אַחֲרֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם לָמָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּם רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה׃

English Translation

And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Yosef said to his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say to them, Why have you rewarded evil for good?

Transliteration

Hem yatz'u et-ha'ir lo hirchiku v'Yosef amar la'asher al-beito kum redof acharei ha'anashim v'hisagta v'amarta alehem lama shilamtem ra'ah tachat tovah.

Hebrew Leining Text

הֵ֠ם יָֽצְא֣וּ אֶת־הָעִיר֮ לֹ֣א הִרְחִ֒יקוּ֒ וְיוֹסֵ֤ף אָמַר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּית֔וֹ ק֥וּם רְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לָ֛מָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥ם רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה׃
הֵ֠ם יָֽצְא֣וּ אֶת־הָעִיר֮ לֹ֣א הִרְחִ֒יקוּ֒ וְיוֹסֵ֤ף אָמַר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּית֔וֹ ק֥וּם רְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לָ֛מָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥ם רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereishit 44:4) occurs during the dramatic encounter between Yosef and his brothers in Egypt. After hosting them for a meal, Yosef instructs his steward to place his silver goblet in Binyamin's sack and then pursue the brothers as they depart, accusing them of theft. The brothers had previously sold Yosef into slavery, and now Yosef orchestrates this test to see if they have repented and grown in their moral character.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereishit 44:4) explains that Yosef's accusation, "Why have you rewarded evil for good?" refers to the brothers' ingratitude. Despite Yosef's hospitality—providing them with food and even returning their money—they allegedly repaid him by stealing his goblet. Rashi notes that this mirrors their earlier betrayal when they sold Yosef into slavery after he had done them no harm.

Rambam's Perspective on Divine Providence

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:36) discusses how Divine Providence operates through human actions. Yosef's test was orchestrated to bring about tikkun (rectification) for the brothers' earlier sin. By framing them for theft, Yosef forces them to confront their past misdeeds and demonstrate whether they have truly repented, particularly in their willingness to protect Binyamin.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Vayigash 8): The phrase "they had not gone far" symbolizes that the brothers had not yet fully distanced themselves from their earlier sin. Yosef's test was necessary to ensure their complete repentance.
  • Bereishit Rabbah (92:8): The steward's pursuit parallels the idea that one cannot escape Divine justice. Just as the brothers could not flee from Yosef's test, so too can no one evade accountability before Hashem.

Moral Lesson from the Malbim

The Malbim (Bereishit 44:4) emphasizes the ethical dimension of Yosef's words. By accusing them of repaying kindness with theft, Yosef highlights the severity of ingratitude—a recurring theme in Jewish thought. The brothers' eventual defense of Binyamin proves their moral growth, showing they had learned from their past mistakes.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yosef accuse his brothers of repaying evil for good?
A: Yosef was testing his brothers to see if they had truly repented for selling him into slavery years earlier (Genesis 37). By framing them for stealing his silver cup (Genesis 44:2), he wanted to observe whether they would abandon Binyamin (the new favored brother) as they had abandoned him. The accusation 'Why have you repaid evil for good?' refers to how they had mistreated Yosef despite his innocence and his father Yaakov's love for him.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's test of his brothers?
A: The Midrash teaches that Yosef's actions were meant to bring his brothers to complete repentance (teshuvah). By recreating a similar situation to their original sin (abandoning a brother), he gave them an opportunity to show they had changed. This teaches us the importance of genuine repentance and the value of correcting past mistakes when given a second chance.
Q: Why did Yosef send his steward to chase the brothers instead of going himself?
A: Rashi explains that Yosef didn't go himself because he wanted to maintain his disguise as an Egyptian ruler. Sending his steward created the impression that this was an official matter of stolen property, not a personal confrontation. This allowed the test to unfold naturally without revealing Yosef's true identity prematurely.
Q: How does this verse show Yosef's wisdom in dealing with his brothers?
A: The Rambam teaches that Yosef demonstrated great wisdom by orchestrating events to test his brothers' character without direct confrontation. By having them accused by a third party (the steward) and allowing them to defend themselves, he could objectively assess whether they had changed. This shows the Jewish value of dan l'kaf zechut (judging others favorably) by giving people opportunities to prove their growth.
Q: What is the significance of the brothers not being far from the city when they were chased?
A: The Torah emphasizes they hadn't gone far to show that the brothers weren't actually guilty - they wouldn't have fled quickly if they had stolen the cup. This detail highlights that Yosef's test was carefully planned to create maximum emotional impact while ensuring the brothers' innocence would ultimately be proven, leading to their reconciliation.