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NASB | Genesis 44:5 'Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.'" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 44:5 'Is this not my lord's drinking cup and the one which he uses for divination? You have done [a great and unforgivable] wrong in doing this.'" |
Bible Question:
I was surprised to find Joseph claiming secret knowledge through divination (Genesis 44:5, Genesis 44:15). Perhaps he was “role playing” to further test his brothers? Or had he been influenced by his wife’s family, worshiping the god On? (see Genesis 41:45 and repetitions) |
Bible Answer: Hello JRM V 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. --Robert Jamieson God bless John |