Genesis 45:2

2 But his sobbing was so violent that the Egyptians couldn't help but hear him. The news was soon reported to Pharaoh's palace.

Genesis 45:2 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 45:2

And he wept aloud
; Or "gave forth his voice in weeping" {r}; as he wept he cried aloud; for having put such a violent restraint on himself, as the flood of tears was the greater, so his voice was the stronger and louder for it: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard;
the Egyptians, that were in the room or rooms adjoining to that where Joseph was, heard his cry, and perhaps a great deal of what was said; which they soon reported to others, and it quickly reached Pharaoh's court, which might not be at any great distance.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (ykbb wlq ta Ntyw) "et dedit vocem suam in fletu", Montanus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.

Genesis 45:2 In-Context

1 Joseph couldn't hold himself in any longer, keeping up a front before all his attendants. He cried out, "Leave! Clear out - everyone leave!" So there was no one with Joseph when he identified himself to his brothers.

2 But his sobbing was so violent that the Egyptians couldn't help but hear him. The news was soon reported to Pharaoh's palace.

3 Joseph spoke to his brothers: "I am Joseph. Is my father really still alive?" But his brothers couldn't say a word. They were speechless - they couldn't believe what they were hearing and seeing.

4 "Come closer to me," Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. "I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt.

5 But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives.