Contradiction with Exodus 23:7
"Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked." - Joseph's decision to punish only Benjamin contradicts the principle of ensuring justice for all rather than targeting one.
Exodus 23:7: Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Contradiction with Proverbs 17:15
"He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD." - In Genesis 44:17, only Benjamin is to be punished, but the brothers who initially sold Joseph are spared, which can be seen as justifying the wicked.
Proverbs 17:15: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16
"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin." - This verse emphasizes individual responsibility and not punishing one for another's actions, contradictory to the collective guilt Joseph's brothers fear.
Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Paradox #1
The moral conflict in Genesis 44:17 could lie in the tension between justice and mercy. Joseph insists on punishing only the brother found with the silver cup, while letting the rest go free. Some might see this as a just and fair decision, while others might argue that it lacks mercy or understanding, considering it could have been a setup or man-made test. This creates a complexity between doing what is "right" by strict justice versus showing compassion or seeking truth.