Genesis 44:7
“They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing!”
What does Genesis 44:7 mean?
The brothers are shocked and insulted when Joseph accuses them of stealing his silver cup. They're protesting their innocence forcefully, as if to say "we would never do something so dishonorable." Their strong denial shows how seriously they take the accusation and how much they value their reputation. What makes this moment poignant is that they're actually innocent of this particular crime (Joseph planted the cup to test them), yet they're men who *have* done something terrible in their past—they sold their brother into slavery years before. Their passionate protest of innocence in this moment hints at the deeper guilt and shame they still carry.