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H572 · Hebrew · Old Testament
אַמְתַּחַת
Amtachath
Noun, feminine
Sack, bag, traveling sack

Definition

The Hebrew noun amtachath refers to a large sack or traveling bag, particularly used to carry grain. It appears exclusively in the Joseph narrative (Genesis 42–44), where the story pivots on the discovery of silver hidden in the brothers' sacks — first by accident, then by Joseph's plan with his special cup.

Usage & Theological Significance

The discovery of silver in the sacks produced terror in Joseph's brothers — they knew guilt had a way of finding them. The cup placed in Benjamin's sack was a test of whether the brothers had changed. This narrative arc — guilt, discovery, testing, and reconciliation — mirrors the gospel story. Joseph's plan, though initially frightening, was always aimed at restoration, just as God's providential orchestration works toward reconciliation.

Key Bible Verses

Genesis 42:27At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.
Genesis 43:21We opened our sacks and each of us found his silver — the exact weight — at the mouth of his sack.
Genesis 44:1Joseph gave instructions: 'Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry.'
Genesis 44:11Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.
Genesis 44:12He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

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