Seeing that his brethren were, indeed, on the point of destroying
Egypt, Joseph resolved to make himself known to them, and he cast
around for a proper opening, which would lead naturally to his
announcement. At his behest, Manasseh laid his hand upon Judah's
shoulder, and his touch allayed Judah's fury, for he noticed that he
was in contact with a kinsman of his, because such strength existed in
no other family. Then Joseph addressed Judah gently, saying:[278] "I
should like to know who advised him to steal the cup. Could it have
been one of you?" Benjamin replied: "Neither did they counsel theft,
nor did I touch the cup." "Take an oath upon it," demanded Joseph, and
Benjamin complied with his brother's request: "I swear that I did not
touch the cup! As true as my brother Joseph is separated from me; as
true as I had nothing to do with the darts that my brethren threw at
him; as true as I was not one of those to take off his coat; as true as
I had no part in the transaction by which he was given over to the
Ishmaelites; as true as I did not help the others dip his coat in
blood; so true is my oath, that they did not counsel theft, and that I
did not commit theft."
Joseph: "How can I know that this oath of thine taken upon thy
brother's fate is true?"
Benjamin: "From the names of my ten sons, which I gave them in memory
of my brother's life and trials, thou canst see how dearly I loved him.
I pray thee, therefore, do not bring down my father with sorrow to the
grave."
Hearing these words of abiding love, Joseph could refrain himself no
longer. He could not but make himself known unto his brethren.[279] He
spake these words to them: "Ye said the brother of this lad was dead.
Did you yourselves see him dead before you?" They answered, "Yes!"