And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

GENESIS 44:1KJV
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Genesis 44:1 (KJV)

What does Genesis 44:1 mean?

Genesis 44:1 describes Joseph giving his household steward instructions for his brothers’ departure from Egypt. Joseph directs the steward to provide as much food as the men can carry and secretly return each man’s payment, setting up events that will bring the brothers back to him.

The steward is the person Joseph has placed in charge of his household. The “sack’s mouth” is the opening where each man’s money will be placed. Joseph’s brothers do not yet know that the Egyptian official giving these orders is their brother.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 44:1

  • “money” — כֶּסֶף (kesef): The Hebrew word can mean “silver” as well as “money.” The payment would have been silver, rather than modern paper money.
  • “sacks” — אַמְתַּחַת (amtachat): This word refers to a bag or sack used for carrying things. Its opening is where the steward is told to put the silver.

Why Genesis 44:1 matters

  • The returned money is placed deliberately, not left there by mistake. Joseph’s instruction to “put every man’s money” in the sacks makes his steward part of the plan.
  • The generous supply of food forms part of a larger test. In Genesis 44:2, Joseph also orders his silver cup to be put in Benjamin’s sack; the discovery of the cup later brings the brothers back to Joseph.
  • The money had appeared in the brothers’ sacks once before. In Genesis 42:35, they found their payments after their earlier trip, so another return of the money adds to their alarm when the sacks are searched.

Where else these words appear

“sacks” Hebrew H572 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 42:27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
  • Genesis 43:18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
  • Genesis 44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

“food” Hebrew H400 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
  • Exodus 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
  • Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

“as” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: