Genesis 45:1-15

Joseph Reveals His Identity

1 Joseph could no longer keep his composure in front of all his attendants,^[a] so he called out, "Send everyone away from me!" No one was with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers.

2 But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and also Pharaoh's household heard it.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were too terrified to answer him.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please, come near me," and they came near. "I am Joseph, your brother," he said, "the one you sold into Egypt.^[b]

5 And now don't be worried or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.

6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting.

7 God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.^[c]

8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9 "Return quickly to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.

10 You can settle in the land of Goshen and be near me-you, your children, and grandchildren, your sheep, cattle, and all you have.

11 There I will sustain you, for there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you, your household, and everything you have will become destitute." '

12 Look! Your eyes and my brother Benjamin's eyes can see that it is I [, Joseph,] who am^[d] speaking to you.

13 Tell my father all about my glory in Egypt and about all you have seen. And bring my father here quickly."

14 Then Joseph threw his arms around Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder.

15 Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept,^[e] and afterward his brothers talked with 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

• [a]. Lit all those standing about him
• [b]. Gn 37:18-36
• [c]. Or keep alive for you many survivors
• [d]. Lit that my mouth is
• [e]. Lit brothers, and he wept over them