What Does Genesis 44:3 Mean?

As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. The departure of the brothers with their fully-loaded donkeys happens at first light: early morning, suggesting that the feast of the previous day has ended with an overnight stay at Joseph's household in preparation for an early departure. The casual early-morning send-off is the surface appearance of the situation: eleven brothers, loaded donkeys, heading home to Canaan with a full load of grain. From the outside, the mission has been a complete success: they came, they brought Benjamin, Simeon was released, a feast was held, and now they leave with as much grain as their donkeys can carry.

The early morning departure is the last moment of the brothers' ignorance. For a short period of road travel, they will believe they have completed the mission: Benjamin is safe, Simeon is free, the grain is loaded, they are heading home. They will report to Jacob that everything worked out: the official released Simeon, accepted Benjamin, hosted a feast, and sent them home with full loads. They will not know about the cup in Benjamin's sack until they are overtaken on the road in verse 6. The morning departure is the last ordinary moment before the crisis that will produce the final test.

The send-off without ceremony: "the men were sent away": is the contrast to the elaborate reception they received upon arrival (water for feet, fodder for donkeys, feast at noon). They arrived with fear and gifts; they leave with grain and, unknown to them, a concealed cup. The departure is efficient and quiet. Everything is in place: the sacks are full, the cup is hidden, the steward is about to be sent after them. The test's final mechanism is armed and ready to be activated at Joseph's order.