Genesis 45:16-28

Joseph’s brothers return for Jacob

16 When Pharaoh's household heard the message "Joseph's brothers have arrived," both Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Give your brothers these instructions: Load your pack animals and go back to the land of Canaan.
18 Get your father and your households and come back to me. Let me provide you with good things from the land of Egypt so that you may eat the land's best food.
19 Give them these instructions too: Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your children and wives, and pick up your father and come back.
20 Don't worry about your possessions because you will have good things from the entire land of Egypt."
21 So Israel's sons did that. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh instructed, and he gave them provisions for the road.
22 To all of them he gave a change of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing.
23 To his father he sent ten male donkeys carrying goods from Egypt, ten female donkeys carrying grain and bread, and rations for his father for the road.
24 He sent his brothers off; and as they were leaving, he told them, "Don't be worried about the trip."
25 So they left Egypt and returned to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
26 They announced to him, "Joseph's still alive! He's actually ruler of all the land of Egypt!" Jacob's heart nearly failed, and he didn't believe them.
27 When they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, Jacob recovered.
28 Then Israel said, "This is too much! My son Joseph is still alive! Let me go and see him before I die."

Genesis 45:16-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 45

This chapter contains an account of Joseph's making himself known to his brethren, which was done when they were alone, Ge 45:1-4; when he encouraged them not to distress themselves on account of their selling him into Egypt, for God in his providence had sent him there for their good, Ge 45:5-8; and he ordered them to go forthwith to Canaan, and acquaint his father with all the honour and glory they saw him in, and to desire him to come thither to him, where he should be provided for during the five years of famine yet to come, in the best part of the land of Egypt, Ge 45:9-13; upon which he expressed the strongest affection to Benjamin, and to all his brethren, Ge 45:14,15; the fame of this was soon spread in the house of Pharaoh, which gave the king great pleasure, who immediately expressed his earnest desire that his father might come and settle in Egypt, and ordered provisions to be sent him, and carriages to bring him down, and all that belonged to him, Ge 45:16-20; and Joseph accordingly delivered to his brethren wagons and provisions for the way, and gave gifts to them, and sent a present to his father, and dismissed his brethren with an exhortation not to fall out by the way, Ge 45:21-24; and when they came to Canaan, they acquainted their father with all these things, who at first could not believe them; but when he saw the wagons, his spirit revived, and determined to go and see his son, Ge 45:25-28.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or Don’t quarrel during the trip.
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