Genesis 45:16-28

The Return for Jacob

16 When the news reached Pharaoh's house, "Joseph's brothers have come," Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and go on back to the land of Canaan.
18 Get your father and your households, and come back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you can eat from the richness of the land.'
19 You are also commanded, 'Do this: Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your young children, your wives, and bring your father here.
20 Do not be concerned about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.' "[a]
21 The sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had commanded, and he gave them provisions for the journey.
22 He gave each of the brothers changes of clothes, but he gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver and five changes of clothes.
23 He sent his father the following: 10 donkeys carrying the best products of Egypt, and 10 female donkeys carrying grain, food, and provisions for his father on the journey.
24 So Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, "Don't argue on the way."
25 So they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
26 They said, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!" Jacob was stunned,[b] for he did not believe them.
27 But when they told Jacob all that Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.
28 Then Israel said, "Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go to 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 2

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