Genesis 45:5

5 So now, do not be distressed and do not be angry {with yourselves} that you sold me here, for God sent me as deliverance before you.

Genesis 45:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 45:5

Now therefore be not grieved
To an excess, so as to be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow; otherwise it became them to be grieved for their sin, and to show a godly sorrow and true repentance for it: nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither;
reflect upon themselves, and afflict themselves in an immoderate way; or break forth into anger and wrath with one another, upbraiding and blaming each other for their conduct in that affair, and so foment contentions and quarrels among themselves: for God did send me before you to preserve life;
the life of thousands of persons in Egypt, Canaan, and other countries; and particularly to preserve their lives was he sent before them into Egypt; where, by interpretation Pharaoh's dreams, by which he understood and did foretell the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, he was to great honour and trust, and laid up a sufficiency of corn in the time of plenty to answer the exigencies of various countries in the time of famine, and, among the rest, of his own family; and therefore would have this attributed by them to the wise disposing providence of God.

Genesis 45:5 In-Context

3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I [am] Joseph! Is my father still alive?" And his brothers were unable to answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

4 So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they drew near. And he said, "I [am] Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

5 So now, do not be distressed and do not be angry {with yourselves} that you sold me here, for God sent me as deliverance before you.

6 For these two years the famine [has been] in the midst of the land, but [there will be] five more years where there is no plowing or harvest.

7 And God sent me before you [all] to preserve for you a remnant in the land and to keep alive among you many survivors.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "in your eyes"