Joseph's Cup in the Biblical Account of Genesis
The Significance of Joseph's Cup in Genesis
Joseph's silver cup plays a pivotal role in the biblical narrative of Genesis 44, serving as a test for his brothers and a means to reveal his identity. The cup is first mentioned in Genesis 44:2, where Joseph instructs his steward to place it in Benjamin's sack [1]. This act is part of a larger strategy to assess the brothers' character and their treatment of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob.
The cup itself is described as a silver cup, which was likely a valuable and significant item in Joseph's household. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, cups in ancient times were made of various materials, including metal and earthenware, and were often used for drinking wine [2]. The use of a silver cup suggests that it was a prized possession, possibly used by Joseph for special occasions.
The practice of divination by cups is also mentioned in connection with Joseph's cup. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that this was a common superstition in ancient Egypt and other Eastern cultures [2]. However, it is unlikely that Joseph, as a believer in the true God, would have actually used the cup for divination. Instead, he may have used the notion of divination as a ruse to test his brothers [6].
The placement of the cup in Benjamin's sack is seen by commentators as a deliberate act to create a crisis and observe the brothers' response. According to Matthew Henry, Joseph's actions were designed to "bring his brethren into the highest state of perplexity and distress" [4]. Adam Clarke notes that the stratagem of the cup was intended to test the brothers' behavior towards Benjamin and to gauge their willingness to abandon or protect him [3].
The cup's discovery in Benjamin's sack leads to a dramatic confrontation between Joseph and his brothers. They protest their innocence and offer to submit to punishment if the cup is found with any of them (Genesis 44:7-9) [1]. When the cup is discovered, they return to Joseph and submit themselves to his authority (Genesis 44:13-16).
The significance of Joseph's cup lies in its role as a catalyst for the events that unfold in Genesis 44. It serves as a test of the brothers' character and their relationships with one another, particularly their treatment of Benjamin. The narrative highlights the brothers' growth and change since their earlier interactions with Joseph, demonstrating a newfound sense of responsibility and compassion towards their younger brother.
The use of the cup as a plot device also underscores Joseph's wisdom and strategic thinking. By using the cup to create a crisis, Joseph is able to assess his brothers' behavior and ultimately reveal his identity to them. As Calvin notes, Joseph's actions were motivated by a desire to test his brothers and to create an opportunity for reconciliation [5].
The historical and cultural context of the cup is also noteworthy. The practice of divination by cups, although not actually practiced by Joseph, reflects the cultural and superstitious practices of ancient Egypt. The cup's value and significance in Joseph's household also provide insight into the material culture and social norms of the time.
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 44:2 (YLT) — and my cup, the silver cup, thou dost put in the mouth of the bag of the young one, and his corn-money;' and he doth according to the word of Joseph which he hath spoken.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cup — A wine-cup (Gen. 40:11, 21), various forms of which are found on Assyrian and Egyptian monuments. All Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold (1 Kings 10: 21). The cups mentioned in the New Testament were made after Roman and Greek models, and were sometimes of gold (Rev. 17:4). The art of divining by means of a cup was practiced in Egypt (Gen. 44:2-17), and in the East generally. The "cup of salvation" (Ps. 116:13) is the cup of thanksgiving for the great salvation. The "cup of consolation" (Jer. 16:7) refers to the custom of friends sending viands and wine to”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 44:2: Put my cup in the sack's mouth of the youngest - The stratagem of the cup seems to have been designed to bring Joseph's brethren into the highest state of perplexity and distress, that their deliverance by the discovery that Joseph was their brother might have its highest effect.”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 44:1: Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness; but he also exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had (and which, it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it here himself, after his corn was delivered to him. If Benjamin had stolen it, it had bee”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 21.6: towards them; and secondly, because it lightened, at least in some degree, the former infamy, which they had contracted by their wickedness. 2. And put my cup, the silver cup . It may seem wonderful that, considering his great opulence, Joseph had not rather drunk out of a golden cup. Doubtless, either the moderation of that age was still greater than has since prevailed, and the splendor of it less sumptuous; or else this conduct must be attributed to the moderation of the man, who, in the midst of universal license, yet was con”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 44:5: Is not this it in which my lord drinketh--not only kept for the governor's personal use, but whereby he divines. Divination by cups, to ascertain the course of futurity, was one of the prevalent superstitions of ancient Egypt, as it is of Eastern countries still. It is not likely that Joseph, a pious believer in the true God, would have addicted himself to this superstitious practice. But he might have availed himself of that popular notion to carry out the successful execution of his stratagem for the last decisive trial of his brethren.”