Genesis 45:1-15

Joseph reveals his identity

1 Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, "Everyone, leave now!" So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers.
2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh's household heard him.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I'm Joseph! Is my father really still alive?" His brothers couldn't respond because they were terrified before him.
4 Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me," and they moved closer. He said, “I'm your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt.
5 Now, don't be upset and don't be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives.
6 We've already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting.
7 God sent me before you to make sure you'd survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way.
8 You didn't send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.
9 "Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don't delay.
10 You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you.
11 I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won't starve, since the famine will still last five years.'
12 You and my brother Benjamin have seen with your own eyes that I'm speaking to you.
13 Tell my father about my power in Egypt and about everything you've seen. Hurry and bring my father down here."
14 He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder.
15 He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.

Genesis 45:1-15 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

Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible