Genesis 45:1-6

Joseph Deals Kindly with His Brothers

1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, "Have everyone go out from me." So there was no man with him 1when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
2 2He wept * * so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it.
3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "3I am Joseph! 4Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for 5they were dismayed at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you 6sold into Egypt.
5 "Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because 7you sold me here, for 8God sent me before you to preserve life.
6 "For the famine has been in the land 9these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.

Genesis 45:1-6 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.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Acts 7:13
  • 2. Genesis 45:14, 15; Genesis 46:29
  • 3. Acts 7:13
  • 4. Genesis 43:27
  • 5. Genesis 37:20-28; Genesis 42:21, 22
  • 6. Genesis 37:28
  • 7. Genesis 37:28
  • 8. Genesis 45:7, 8; Genesis 50:20; Psalms 105:17
  • 9. Genesis 37:2; Genesis 41:46, 53

Footnotes 5

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