Genesis 45:16-28

16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased.
17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan,
18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’
19 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.
20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’ ”
21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.
22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels[a] of silver and five sets of clothes.
23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.
24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.
27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.
28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will 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.

Cross References 25

  • 1. S ver 2; Acts 7:13
  • 2. Genesis 50:7
  • 3. S Genesis 41:37
  • 4. S Genesis 42:26
  • 5. S Genesis 42:5
  • 6. ver 20; Genesis 20:15; Genesis 27:28; Genesis 46:34; Genesis 47:6,11,27; Numbers 18:12,29; Jeremiah 40:4
  • 7. Ezra 9:12; Psalms 37:19; Isaiah 1:19
  • 8. ver 21,27; Genesis 46:5; Numbers 7:3-8
  • 9. Genesis 46:6,32
  • 10. S ver 18
  • 11. S ver 19
  • 12. S Genesis 42:25
  • 13. S Genesis 24:53
  • 14. S Genesis 37:3; S Genesis 41:14; Genesis 43:34; Judges 14:12,13; 2 Kings 5:22
  • 15. S Genesis 42:26
  • 16. S Genesis 24:10
  • 17. S Genesis 42:25
  • 18. Genesis 42:21-22
  • 19. Genesis 13:1
  • 20. Genesis 42:29
  • 21. S Genesis 41:41
  • 22. S Genesis 44:28; 1 Kings 10:7
  • 23. S ver 19
  • 24. Luke 16:31
  • 25. S Genesis 44:28

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. That is, about 7 1/2 pounds or about 3.5 kilograms
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