Genesis 45:17

17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Say to thy brethren, This do ye; load your beasts, and go, return to the land of Canaan;

Genesis 45:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 45:17

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph
Who, it is highly probable, waited upon Pharaoh to acquaint him with the coming of his brethren; for it cannot be imagined that Pharaoh should say what follows upon a bare report, without having a further account of things from Joseph, or that he would neglect giving it, but take the first opportunity to inform him, whereupon he gave him the following order:

say unto thy brethren, this do ye;
give them directions and instructions to do as follows:

lade your asses:
with provisions for the present necessity of their father's household in Canaan, and for their journey back to Egypt:

and go, get you into the land of Canaan;
with all the haste they could make.

Genesis 45:17 In-Context

15 Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

16 And the fame of this was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Say to thy brethren, This do ye; load your beasts, and go, return to the land of Canaan;

18 And take your father, and your households, and come to me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take for yourselves wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.