Genesis 24:53

24:53 Then he ¹  brought out gold, silver jewelry, and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and to her mother.

Genesis 27:15

27:15 Then Rebekah took her older son Esau’s best clothes, which she had with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob.

Genesis 29:15

29:15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Should you work ²  for me for nothing because you are my relative? ³  Tell me what your wages should be.”

Genesis 44:10

44:10 He replied, “You have suggested your own punishment! ⁴  The one who has it will become my slave, ⁵  but the rest of ⁶  you will go free.” ⁷ 

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¹ tn Heb “the servant”; the noun has been replaced by the pronoun (“he”) in the translation for stylistic reasons.

² tn The verb is the perfect with the vav (ו) consecutive; the nuance in the question is deliberative.

³ tn Heb “my brother.” The term “brother” is used in a loose sense; actually Jacob was Laban’s nephew.

⁴ tn Heb “Also now, according to your words, so it is.” As the next statement indicates, this does mean that he will do exactly as they say. He does agree with them the culprit should be punished, but not as harshly as they suggest. Furthermore, the innocent parties will not be punished.

⁵ tn Heb “The one with whom it is found will become my slave.”

⁶ tn The words “the rest of” have been supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.

⁷ tn The Hebrew word נָקִי (naqi) means “acquitted,” that is, free of guilt and the responsibility for it.

sn The rest of you will be free. Joseph’s purpose was to single out Benjamin to see if the brothers would abandon him as they had abandoned Joseph. He wanted to see if they had changed.