Genesis 44:5

Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Joseph’s steward confronts the brothers as he overtakes them just outside the city. He accuses them of repaying his master’s hospitality with theft.

The words — The Hebrew נַחֵ֥שׁ (na.Chesh) and יְנַחֵ֖שׁ (ye.na.Chesh) both mean “he practices divination.” The steward claims the cup is used for this forbidden practice.

The thread — The text links cup-divination to forbidden practices condemned in Leviticus 19:26 and 2 Kings 21:6. It also echoes Jacob’s earlier observation that Laban used divination in Genesis 30:27.

Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that sacred trust and hospitality have been violated by the brothers’ actions. It forces the reader to confront the weight of deception and the cultural gravity of the steward’s accusation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

הֲל֣וֹאha./Lo'¿/ not זֶ֗הZeh[is] this אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.Sher[that] which יִשְׁתֶּ֤הyish.Tehhe drinks אֲדֹנִי֙'a.do.N/imaster/ myבּ֔וֹb/oin/ itוְה֕וּאve./Hu'and/ he נַחֵ֥שׁna.Cheshindeed <divine>יְנַחֵ֖שׁye.na.Cheshhe practices divinationבּ֑וֹb/oby/ itהֲרֵעֹתֶ֖םha.re.'o.Temyou have done evil אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sher[that] which עֲשִׂיתֶֽם׃'a.si.Temyou have done

King James Version

Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

Cross-references

Genesis 30:27 But Laban replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.”
Leviticus 19:26 You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery.
2 Kings 21:6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Genesis 44:15 “What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?”
Deuteronomy 18:10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,
1 Kings 20:33 Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot.