Genesis 50:19

19 And Joseph said to them, Fear not, for I am God's.

Genesis 50:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 50:19

And Joseph said unto them, fear not
That any hurt would be done by him to them, or that he would use them ill for their treatment of him:

for am I in the place of God?
to receive such homage from you, that you should be my servants, as Saadiah Gaon gives the sense; or rather to take vengeance for injury done, which belongs to God alone: or, "am I not under God" ^F21? subject to him, a servant of his, and why should you be mine? nor is it in my power, if I had a will to it, to change his purposes, to alter his providences, or contradict his will, and do hurt to those whom God hath blessed; and so may have regard to the late patriarchal benediction of his father, under the direction of the Holy Spirit: or, "am I in the place of God?" and under him a father of them, as he had been a provider for them, and a supporter of them, and still would be.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F21 (yna Myhla txth) "annon enim sub Deo sum?" Vatablus.

Genesis 50:19 In-Context

17 Thus say ye to Joseph, Forgive them their injustice and their sin, forasmuch as they have done thee evil; and now pardon the injustice of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept while they spoke to him.

18 And they came to him and said, We, these , are thy servants.

19 And Joseph said to them, Fear not, for I am God's.

20 Ye took counsel against me for evil, but God took counsel for me for good, that might be as to-day, and much people might be fed.

21 And he said to them, Fear not, I will maintain you, and your families: and he comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.