Genesis 45:17

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers: 'Do this--load your donkeys and go back 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 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. And afterward his brothers spoke with him.

16 Then the report was heard [in] the house of Pharaoh, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." And it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers: 'Do this--load your donkeys and go back to the land of Canaan,

18 and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.'

19 And you [Joseph], are commanded [to say] this: 'Do this! Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives, and bring your father and come!