Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Genesis, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God, Humanity, and Creation
Mistrust, Disobedience, and Death
Covenants and Faith in God’s Promises
The Role of Women
Summary
Analysis
After the feast, Joseph tells his steward to fill the men’s sacks with food, return their money, and also place a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. The next morning, after his brothers have left, Joseph sends his steward after them. When the steward catches up to Joseph’s brothers, he accuses them of having stolen Joseph’s silver cup. Indignant, they tell the steward to search their bags; if a perpetrator is found, he can remain behind as a slave. When the cup is found in Benjamin’s sack, the brothers tear their clothes in grief and return to Joseph’s house. Judah pleads on Benjamin’s behalf, explaining that Jacob will die if Benjamin does not return. He offers to remain behind in Benjamin’s place.
Joseph once again sends his brothers homeward with abundance, but this time, he puts an elaborate plot in motion, planting a cup among their possessions so that the brothers will be waylaid once again. When the cup is found among Benjamin’s things, Judah (who’d promised Jacob to be responsible for whatever happened to the youngest) passionately pleads for him. Again, this shows how much Judah has grown.
Themes
