For I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon."This verse caught my attention in an unusual way. First, Joseph refers to the "Hebrews." At this time, I'm not aware of the term "Hebrews" having a meaning. In fact, I looked it up; this is the first time the word is ever used in the Bible. At this time, the people who would become known as Hebrews are a small tribe: an old man, his eleven sons, and their wives, living about two weeks distance. Would the cupbearer even know who the Hebrews were? Would anyone in Egypt besides the occasional trader have a reason to know who he was referring to, and where? Also, he he calls it "the land of the Hebrews," when at this point the only land they have is whatever areas are owned by the family. The nation we think of didn't yet exist in a large enough manner to be called a land.
Also, he doesn't refer to himself as a Hebrew; he merely says that's where he was taken from. Is he trying to separate himself from his family? Or is he hiding his lineage for some reason? I would understand why he might not be seen well if the Egyptians looked upon others with disdain, but they're already in jail. I realize later that he would use this detachment to his advantage, but he can't know that now. He claims a homeland, but not a people, and I can't help but wonder if it's because he has truly lost all hope of ever returning home. If so, I can understand at time how he feels. Being lost and alone hurts, and there's only so much you can take.
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