Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:17
And he said, God forbid that I should do so: [but] the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
17. God forbid ] As Gen 44:7. Joseph deprecates Judah’s proposal, and insists on the milder sentence already proposed by his steward. Benjamin should be kept as a slave.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And he said, God forbid that I should do so,…. This would be doing an unjust thing, Joseph suggests, should he take them all for bondmen, for the offence of one:
[but] the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; not die, as they had supposed, but become his servant:
and as for you, get ye up in peace unto your father; they had leave, yea, an order to return to their father in the land of Canaan, with their corn and cattle, in peace and plenty; there being no charge against them, nor would any hurt or damage come to them: this Joseph said to try their affection to their brother Benjamin, and see whether they would leave him to distress, and then he should know better how to conduct both towards him and them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17. God forbid that I should do so (174) If Joseph intended to retain Benjamin alone, and to dismiss the others, he would have done his utmost, to rend the Church of God by the worst possible dissension. But I have previously shown (what may also be elicited from the context) that his design was nothing else than to pierce their hearts more deeply. He must have anticipated great mischief, if he had perceived that they did not care for their brother: but the Lord provided against this danger, by causing the earnest apology of Judah not only to soften his mind, but even to draw forth tears and weeping in profusion.
(174) “God forbid” is an expression frequently used by our translators, both in the Old and New Testament, where the name of God does not occur in the original. The term here used as the same meaning as Absit in Latin, and Μὴ γένοιτο in Greek. Literally this passage would read, “Far be it from me to do so.” See also Gen 44:7. — Ed
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
‘And he said, “God forbid that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my bondman. But as for you, get up in peace to your father.” ’
Joseph is thoroughly testing them out. What will they do about Benjamin? Will they sacrifice him like they sacrificed Joseph previously? He tells them that only the guilty man would be punished. The remainder go free. He will see if they will now return home and save their own lives and inform their father that sadly he has lost another son. But these men are no longer what they once were.
The words of Joseph raise a spark in Judah’s heart. This man is clearly no harsh avenger. He is almost reasonable. Perhaps then he will listen to a plea. So he approaches closer to him, no doubt abasing himself to the ground, and prepares to put his case. But he recognises that his approach and suggestion might well give great offence to one who has shown such mercy.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Psa 75:2
Reader! attend to every minute circumstance in this intercession of Judah’s, for in it there is a representation of a greater than Judah. Observe, before he opened his mouth he came near. Our Almighty Judah, in his glorious character as our intercessor, is said to be in the midst of the throne; Rev 5:6 . Observe also how suitable a type Judah was of JESUS, for our LORD sprang out of Judah. Heb 7:14 . Observe also, how evident the marks of inspiration are in this whole address. Surely he that made man’s mouth gave the matter also. Exo 4:10-11 . And Reader, do not overlook, that, as Joseph became the type of JESUS as our governor and judge: so Judah is a type of JESUS as our surety and intercessor. It is your happiness and mine, that he who is here, after to come to be our judge is also coming as our Saviour: Phi 3:20 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 44:17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: [but] the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
Ver. 17. But the man in whose hand, &c. ] This was the heat that Joseph shot at in all this interdealing with them, – to try the truth of their love to Benjamin, and whether they would stick to him in his utmost peril God hath like ends in afflicting his children. “The king of Babylon stood at the parting way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination.” Eze 21:21 So doth God. He knows that the best divining of men is at the parting way; there every dog will show to what master he belongs. God shoots at his servants for trial, as men shoot bullets against armour of proof, not to hurt it, but to praise it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
God forbid: Gen 18:25, Gen 42:18, 2Sa 23:3, Psa 75:2, Pro 17:15
he shall: Gen 44:10
in peace: Gen 26:29, Gen 37:32, Gen 37:33
Reciprocal: Gen 44:30 – When I Jos 22:29 – God forbid 2Sa 23:17 – Be it far 1Ki 21:3 – The Lord 1Co 6:15 – God