Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Genesis » Chapter 45 » Verse 1-28

Genesis 45:1-28 King James Version (KJV)

1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.

21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.


Genesis 45:1-28 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Then Joseph H3130 could H3201 not refrain H662 himself before all them that stood H5324 by him; and he cried, H7121 Cause H3318 every man H376 to go out H3318 from me. And there stood H5975 no man H376 with him, while Joseph H3130 made himself known H3045 unto his brethren. H251

2 And he wept H6963 H1065 aloud: H5414 and the Egyptians H4714 and the house H1004 of Pharaoh H6547 heard. H8085 H8085

3 And Joseph H3130 said H559 unto his brethren, H251 I am Joseph; H3130 doth my father H1 yet live? H2416 And his brethren H251 could H3201 not answer H6030 him; for they were troubled H926 at his presence. H6440

4 And Joseph H3130 said H559 unto his brethren, H251 Come near H5066 to me, I pray you. And they came near. H5066 And he said, H559 I am Joseph H3130 your brother, H251 whom ye sold H4376 into Egypt. H4714

5 Now therefore be not grieved, H6087 nor angry H2734 with yourselves, H5869 that ye sold H4376 me hither: for God H430 did send H7971 me before you H6440 to preserve life. H4241

6 For these two years H8141 hath the famine H7458 been in H7130 the land: H776 and yet there are five H2568 years, H8141 in the which there shall neither H369 be earing H2758 nor harvest. H7105

7 And God H430 sent H7971 me before you H6440 to preserve H7760 you a posterity H7611 in the earth, H776 and to save your lives H2421 by a great H1419 deliverance. H6413

8 So now it was not you that sent H7971 me hither, but God: H430 and he hath made H7760 me a father H1 to Pharaoh, H6547 and lord H113 of all his house, H1004 and a ruler H4910 throughout all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714

9 Haste H4116 ye, and go up H5927 to my father, H1 and say H559 unto him, Thus saith H559 thy son H1121 Joseph, H3130 God H430 hath made H7760 me lord H113 of all Egypt: H4714 come down H3381 unto me, tarry H5975 not:

10 And thou shalt dwell H3427 in the land H776 of Goshen, H1657 and thou shalt be near H7138 unto me, thou, and thy children, H1121 and thy children's H1121 children, H1121 and thy flocks, H6629 and thy herds, H1241 and all that thou hast:

11 And there will I nourish H3557 thee; for yet there are five H2568 years H8141 of famine; H7458 lest thou, and thy household, H1004 and all that thou hast, come to poverty. H3423

12 And, behold, your eyes H5869 see, H7200 and the eyes H5869 of my brother H251 Benjamin, H1144 that it is my mouth H6310 that speaketh H1696 unto you.

13 And ye shall tell H5046 my father H1 of all my glory H3519 in Egypt, H4714 and of all that ye have seen; H7200 and ye shall haste H4116 and bring down H3381 my father H1 hither.

14 And he fell H5307 upon his brother H251 Benjamin's H1144 neck, H6677 and wept; H1058 and Benjamin H1144 wept H1058 upon his neck. H6677

15 Moreover he kissed H5401 all his brethren, H251 and wept H1058 upon them: and after H310 that his brethren H251 talked H1696 with him.

16 And the fame H6963 thereof was heard H8085 in Pharaoh's H6547 house, H1004 saying, H559 Joseph's H3130 brethren H251 are come: H935 and it pleased H3190 H5869 Pharaoh H6547 well, H3190 H5869 and H5869 his servants. H5650

17 And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto Joseph, H3130 Say H559 unto thy brethren, H251 This do H6213 ye; lade H2943 your beasts, H1165 and go, H3212 get H935 you unto the land H776 of Canaan; H3667

18 And take H3947 your father H1 and your households, H1004 and come H935 unto me: and I will give H5414 you the good H2898 of the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 and ye shall eat H398 the fat H2459 of the land. H776

19 Now thou art commanded, H6680 this do H6213 ye; take H3947 you wagons H5699 out of the land H776 of Egypt H4714 for your little ones, H2945 and for your wives, H802 and bring H5375 your father, H1 and come. H935

20 Also H5869 regard H2347 not your stuff; H3627 for the good H2898 of all the land H776 of Egypt H4714 is yours.

21 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 did H6213 so: and Joseph H3130 gave H5414 them wagons, H5699 according to the commandment H6310 of Pharaoh, H6547 and gave H5414 them provision H6720 for the way. H1870

22 To all of them he gave H5414 each man H376 changes H2487 of raiment; H8071 but to Benjamin H1144 he gave H5414 three H7969 hundred H3967 pieces of silver, H3701 and five H2568 changes H2487 of raiment. H8071

23 And to his father H1 he sent H7971 after this H2063 manner; ten H6235 asses H2543 laden H5375 with the good things H2898 of Egypt, H4714 and ten H6235 she asses H860 laden H5375 with corn H1250 and bread H3899 and meat H4202 for his father H1 by the way. H1870

24 So he sent H7971 his brethren H251 away, H7971 and they departed: H3212 and he said H559 unto them, See that ye fall not out H7264 by the way. H1870

25 And they went up H5927 out of Egypt, H4714 and came H935 into the land H776 of Canaan H3667 unto Jacob H3290 their father, H1

26 And told H5046 him, saying, H559 Joseph H3130 is yet alive, H2416 and he is governor H4910 over all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714 And Jacob's heart H3820 fainted, H6313 for he believed H539 them not.

27 And they told H1696 him all the words H1697 of Joseph, H3130 which he had said H1696 unto them: and when he saw H7200 the wagons H5699 which Joseph H3130 had sent H7971 to carry H5375 him, the spirit H7307 of Jacob H3290 their father H1 revived: H2421

28 And Israel H3478 said, H559 It is enough; H7227 Joseph H3130 my son H1121 is yet alive: H2416 I will go H3212 and see him H7200 before I die. H4191


Genesis 45:1-28 American Standard (ASV)

1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood before him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

5 And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and there are yet five years, in which there shall be neither plowing nor harvest.

7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.

8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not;

10 and thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

11 and there will I nourish thee; for there are yet five years of famine; lest thou come to poverty, thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast.

12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen: and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

15 And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

16 And the report thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye: lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

18 and take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye: take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.

21 And the sons of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

23 And to his father he sent after this manner: ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way.

24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father.

26 And they told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt. And his heart fainted, for he believed them not.

27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

28 and Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.


Genesis 45:1-28 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And Joseph hath not been able to refrain himself before all those standing by him, and he calleth, `Put out every man from me;' and no man hath stood with him when Joseph maketh himself known unto his brethren,

2 and he giveth forth his voice in weeping, and the Egyptians hear, and the house of Pharaoh heareth.

3 And Joseph saith unto his brethren, `I `am' Joseph, is my father yet alive?' and his brethren have not been able to answer him, for they have been troubled at his presence.

4 And Joseph saith unto his brethren, `Come nigh unto me, I pray you,' and they come nigh; and he saith, `I `am' Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt;

5 and now, be not grieved, nor let it be displeasing in your eyes that ye sold me hither, for to preserve life hath God sent me before you.

6 `Because these two years the famine `is' in the heart of the land, and yet `are' five years, `in' which there is neither ploughing nor harvest;

7 and God sendeth me before you, to place of you a remnant in the land, and to give life to you by a great escape;

8 and now, ye -- ye have not sent me hither, but God, and He doth set me for a father to Pharaoh, and for lord to all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9 `Haste, and go up unto my father, then ye have said to him, Thus said Joseph thy son, God hath set me for lord to all Egypt; come down unto me, stay not,

10 and thou hast dwelt in the land of Goshen, and been near unto me, thou and thy sons, and thy son's sons, and thy flock, and thy herd, and all that thou hast,

11 and I have nourished thee there -- for yet `are' five years of famine -- lest thou become poor, thou and thy household, and all that thou hast.

12 `And lo, your eyes are seeing, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that `it is' my mouth which is speaking unto you;

13 and ye have declared to my father all my honour in Egypt, and all that ye have seen, and ye have hasted, and have brought down my father hither.'

14 And he falleth on the neck of Benjamin his brother, and weepeth, and Benjamin hath wept on his neck;

15 and he kisseth all his brethren, and weepeth over them; and afterwards have his brethren spoken with him.

16 And the sound hath been heard in the house of Pharaoh, saying, `Come have the brethren of Joseph;' and it is good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants,

17 and Pharaoh saith unto Joseph, `Say unto thy brethren, This do ye: lade your beasts, and go, enter ye the land of Canaan,

18 and take your father, and your households, and come unto me, and I give to you the good of the land of Egypt, and eat ye the fat of the land.

19 `Yea, thou -- thou hast been commanded: this do ye, take for yourselves out of the land of Egypt, waggons for your infants, and for your wives, and ye have brought your father, and come;

20 and your eye hath no pity on your vessels, for the good of all the land of Egypt `is' yours.'

21 And the sons of Israel do so, and Joseph giveth waggons to them by the command of Pharaoh, and he giveth to them provision for the way;

22 to all of them hath he given -- to each changes of garments, and to Benjamin he hath given three hundred silverlings, and five changes of garments;

23 and to his father he hath sent thus: ten asses bearing of the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses bearing corn and bread, even food for his father for the way.

24 And he sendeth his brethren away, and they go; and he saith unto them, `Be not angry in the way.'

25 And they go up out of Egypt, and come in to the land of Canaan, unto Jacob their father,

26 and they declare to him, saying, `Joseph `is' yet alive,' and that he `is' ruler over all the land of Egypt; and his heart ceaseth, for he hath not given credence to them.

27 And they speak unto him all the words of Joseph, which he hath spoken unto them, and he seeth the waggons which Joseph hath sent to bear him away, and live doth the spirit of Jacob their father;

28 and Israel saith, `Enough! Joseph my son `is' yet alive; I go and see him before I die.'


Genesis 45:1-28 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And Joseph could not control himself before all them that stood by him, and he cried, Put every man out from me! And no man stood with him when Joseph made himself known to his brethren.

2 And he raised his voice in weeping; and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

3 And Joseph said to his brethren, I am Joseph. Does my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him, for they were troubled at his presence.

4 And Joseph said to his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

5 And now, be not grieved, and be not angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

6 For the famine has been these two years in the land; and yet there are five years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest.

7 So God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.

8 And now it was not you [that] sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and governor over all the land of Egypt.

9 Haste and go up to my father, and say to him, Thus says thy son Joseph: God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, tarry not.

10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near to me, thou, and thy sons, and thy sons' sons, and thy sheep, and thy cattle, and all that thou hast.

11 And there will I maintain thee; for yet there are five years of famine; in order that thou be not impoverished, thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast.

12 And behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth which speaks to you.

13 And tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen, and haste and bring down my father hither.

14 And he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept on his neck.

15 And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them; and after that his brethren talked with him.

16 And the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come. And it was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his bondmen.

17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Say to thy brethren, Do this: load your beasts and depart, go into the land of Canaan,

18 and take your father and your households, and come to me; and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

19 And thou art commanded -- this do: take waggons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and take up your father, and come.

20 And let not your eye regret your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt shall be yours.

21 And the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them waggons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

22 To each one of them all he gave changes of clothing; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred [pieces] of silver and five changes of clothing.

23 And to his father he sent this: ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with corn and bread, and food for his father by the way.

24 And he sent his brethren away, and they departed. And he said to them, Do not quarrel on the way.

25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan to Jacob their father.

26 And they told him, saying, Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And his heart fainted, for he did not believe them.

27 And they spoke to him all the words of Joseph, which he had spoken to them. And he saw the waggons that Joseph had sent to carry him. And the spirit of Jacob their father revived.

28 And Israel said, It is enough: Joseph my son is yet alive; I will go and see him before I die.


Genesis 45:1-28 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Then Joseph couldn't control himself before all those who stood before him, and he cried, "Cause every man to go out from me!" There stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.

2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Does my father still live?" His brothers couldn't answer him; for they were terrified at his presence.

4 Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." They came near. "He said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

5 Now don't be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.

7 God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.

8 So now it wasn't you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9 Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says, "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don't wait.

10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children's children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.

11 There I will nourish you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have."'

12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

13 You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here."

14 He fell on his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.

15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.

16 The report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this. Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan.

18 Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.'

19 Now you are commanded: do this. Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

20 Also, don't concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all of the land of Egypt is yours."

21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

22 To all of them he gave each man changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing.

23 To his father, he sent after this manner: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way.

24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, "See that you don't quarrel on the way."

25 They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father.

26 They told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." His heart fainted, for he didn't believe them.

27 They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived.

28 Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."


Genesis 45:1-28 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Then Joseph, unable to keep back his feelings before those who were with him, gave orders for everyone to be sent away, and no one was present when he made clear to his brothers who he was.

2 And so loud was his weeping, that it came to the ears of the Egyptians and all Pharaoh's house.

3 And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph: is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to give him an answer for they were troubled before him.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, Come near to me. And they came near, And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sent into Egypt.

5 Now do not be troubled or angry with yourselves for sending me away, because God sent me before you to be the saviour of your lives.

6 For these two years have been years of need, and there are still five more years to come in which there will be no ploughing or cutting of grain.

7 God sent me before you to keep you and yours living on earth so that you might become a great nation.

8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God: and he has made me as a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9 Now go quickly to my father, and say to him, Your son Joseph says, God has made me ruler over all the land of Egypt: come down to me straight away:

10 The land of Goshen will be your living-place, and you will be near me; you and your children and your children's children, and your flocks and herds and all you have:

11 And there I will take care of you, so that you and your family may not be in need, for there are still five bad years to come.

12 Now truly, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which says these things to you.

13 Give my father word of all my glory in Egypt and of all you have seen; and come back quickly with my father.

14 Then, weeping, he took Benjamin in his arms, and Benjamin himself was weeping on Joseph's neck.

15 Then he gave a kiss to all his brothers, weeping over them; and after that his brothers had no fear of talking to him.

16 And news of these things went through Pharaoh's house, and it was said that Joseph's brothers were come; and it seemed good to Pharaoh and his servants.

17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Say to your brothers, Put your goods on your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan;

18 And get your father and your families and come back to me: and I will give you all the good things of Egypt, and the fat of the land will be your food.

19 And say to them, This you are to do: take carts from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and get your father and come back.

20 And take no thought for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.

21 And the children of Israel did as he said; and Joseph gave them carts as had been ordered by Pharaoh, and food for their journey.

22 To every one of them he gave three changes of clothing; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred bits of silver and five changes of clothing.

23 And to his father he sent ten asses with good things from Egypt on their backs, and ten she-asses with grain and bread and food for his father on the journey.

24 And he sent his brothers on their way, and said to them, See that you have no argument on the road.

25 So they went up from Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob.

26 And they said to him, Joseph is living, and is ruler over all the land of Egypt. And at this word Jacob was quite overcome, for he had no faith in it.

27 And they gave him an account of everything Joseph had said to them; and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent for them, his spirit came back to him:

28 And Israel said, It is enough: Joseph my son is still living; I will go and see him before my death.

Commentary on Genesis 45 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 45

Ge 45:1-28. Joseph Making Himself Known.

1. Then Joseph could not refrain himself—The severity of the inflexible magistrate here gives way to the natural feelings of the man and the brother. However well he had disciplined his mind, he felt it impossible to resist the artless eloquence of Judah. He saw a satisfactory proof, in the return of all his brethren on such an occasion, that they were affectionately united to one another; he had heard enough to convince him that time, reflection, or grace had made a happy improvement on their characters; and he would probably have proceeded in a calm and leisurely manner to reveal himself as prudence might have dictated. But when he heard the heroic self-sacrifice of Judah [Ge 44:33] and realized all the affection of that proposal—a proposal for which he was totally unprepared—he was completely unmanned; he felt himself forced to bring this painful trial to an end.

he cried, Cause every man to go out from me—In ordering the departure of witnesses of this last scene, he acted as a warm-hearted and real friend to his brothers—his conduct was dictated by motives of the highest prudence—that of preventing their early iniquities from becoming known either to the members of his household, or among the people of Egypt.

2. he wept aloud—No doubt, from the fulness of highly excited feelings; but to indulge in vehement and long-continued transports of sobbing is the usual way in which the Orientals express their grief.

3. I am Joseph—or, "terrified at his presence." The emotions that now rose in his breast as well as that of his brethren—and chased each other in rapid succession—were many and violent. He was agitated by sympathy and joy; they were astonished, confounded, terrified; and betrayed their terror, by shrinking as far as they could from his presence. So "troubled" were they, that he had to repeat his announcement of himself; and what kind, affectionate terms he did use. He spoke of their having sold him—not to wound their feelings, but to convince them of his identity; and then, to reassure their minds, he traced the agency of an overruling Providence, in his exile and present honor [Ge 35:5-7]. Not that he wished them to roll the responsibility of their crime on God; no, his only object was to encourage their confidence and induce them to trust in the plans he had formed for the future comfort of their father and themselves.

6. and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest—"Ear" is an old English word, meaning "to plough" (compare 1Sa 8:12; Isa 30:24). This seems to confirm the view given (Ge 41:57) that the famine was caused by an extraordinary drought, which prevented the annual overflowing of the Nile; and of course made the land unfit to receive the seed of Egypt.

14, 15. And he fell upon … Benjamin's neck—The sudden transition from a condemned criminal to a fondled brother, might have occasioned fainting or even death, had not his tumultuous feelings been relieved by a torrent of tears. But Joseph's attentions were not confined to Benjamin. He affectionately embraced every one of his brothers in succession; and by those actions, his forgiveness was demonstrated more fully than it could be by words.

17-20. Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren—As Joseph might have been prevented by delicacy, the king himself invited the patriarch and all his family to migrate into Egypt; and he made most liberal arrangements for their removal and their subsequent settlement. It displays the character of this Pharaoh to advantage, that he was so kind to the relatives of Joseph; but indeed the greatest liberality he could show could never recompense the services of so great a benefactor of his kingdom.

21. Joseph gave them wagons—which must have been novelties in Palestine; for wheeled carriages were almost unknown there.

22. changes of raiment—It was and is customary, with great men, to bestow on their friends dresses of distinction, and in places where they are of the same description and quality, the value of these presents consists in their number. The great number given to Benjamin bespoke the warmth of his brother's attachment to him; and Joseph felt, from the amiable temper they now all displayed, he might, with perfect safety, indulge this fond partiality for his mother's son.

23. to his father he sent—a supply of everything that could contribute to his support and comfort—the large and liberal scale on which that supply was given being intended, like the five messes of Benjamin, as a token of his filial love [see on Ge 43:34].

24. so he sent his brethren away—In dismissing them on their homeward journey, he gave them this particular admonition:

See that ye fall not out by the way—a caution that would be greatly needed; for not only during the journey would they be occupied in recalling the parts they had respectively acted in the events that led to Joseph's being sold into Egypt, but their wickedness would soon have to come to the knowledge of their venerable father.