Bereshis 50:18

18 And his achim also went and fell down before him; and they said, Behold us, we are thy avadim.

Bereshis 50:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 50:18

And his brethren also went
The messengers being returned to them, and acquainting them with what Joseph had said, they took courage and went from Goshen to Joseph's house or palace, be it where it may:

and fell down before his face;
in an humble suppliant manner:

and they said, behold, we be thy servants;
they were content to be so, would he but forgive their sin, and not resent their ill behaviour to him; thus they further fulfilled his dream of the eleven stars making obeisance to him, ( Genesis 37:9 ) .

Bereshis 50:18 In-Context

16 And they sent word unto Yosef, saying, Avicha did command before he died, saying,
17 So shall ye say unto Yosef, Forgive, now, the peysha of thy achim, and their chattat; for they did unto thee ra’ah; and now, forgive the peysha of the Avdei Elohei Avicha. And Yosef wept when they spoke unto him.
18 And his achim also went and fell down before him; and they said, Behold us, we are thy avadim.
19 And Yosef said unto them, Fear not; for am I in the place of Elohim?
20 But as for you, ye intended ra’ah against me; but Elohim intended it for tovah, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save Am Rav (much people) alive.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.