The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout

Genesis 44: Judah Offers Himself

Joseph gave a final test. He had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin's sack and sent his steward to accuse the brothers of stealing. When the cup was found, the brothers tore their clothes and all returned to Egypt. Joseph said only Benjamin must stay as a slave. Judah stepped forward and pleaded, telling how their father's life was bound up with Benjamin's. Judah offered to stay as a slave in Benjamin's place so the boy could go home.

Go to worksheets ↓

Bible:

Read Genesis 44

World English Bible · 34 verses

  1. 1 He commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in his sack’s mouth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” He did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, ask them, ‘Why have you rewarded evil for good?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 Isn’t this that from which my lord drinks, and by which he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 He overtook them, and he spoke these words to them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 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!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 He said, “Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom it is found will be my slave; and you will be blameless.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 Then they hurried, and each man took his sack down to the ground, and each man opened his sack.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 He searched, beginning with the oldest, and ending at the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey, and returned to the city.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there. They fell on the ground before him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Don’t you know that such a man as I can indeed do divination?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 Judah said, “What will we tell my lord? What will we speak? How will we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and he also in whose hand the cup is found.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 He said, “Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup is found, he will be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  18. 18 Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  19. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  20. 20 We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  21. 21 You said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  22. 22 We said to my lord, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  23. 23 You said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will see my face no more.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  24. 24 When we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  25. 25 Our father said, ‘Go again and buy us a little food.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  26. 26 We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  27. 27 Your servant, my father, said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  28. 28 One went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces;” and I haven’t seen him since.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  29. 29 If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  30. 30 Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; since his life is bound up in the boy’s life;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  31. 31 it will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, with sorrow to Sheol.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  32. 32 For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I don’t bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  33. 33 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  34. 34 For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

  1. 1Pick a grade below
  2. 2Look over the worksheet
  3. 3Tap Print worksheet. Print the answer key separately.

Pick a grade:

Answer key (print separately)More print options ↓

Genesis 44 · Preschool

A Brave Brother

Name Date

Color Judah and the silver cup. Judah was brave and offered to take Benjamin's place!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers.”

Genesis 44:33 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Judah loved his brother and wanted to help him. Christians have read this as a picture of Jesus, who loved us and took our place!

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

‹ All Genesis chapters · All books