Genesis 45:2-12

2 1He wept * * so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it.
3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "2I am Joseph! 3Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for 4they were dismayed at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you 5sold into Egypt.
5 "Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because 6you sold me here, for 7God sent me before you to preserve life.
6 "For the famine has been in the land 8these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.
7 "9God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.
8 "Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a 10father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
9 "Hurry and go up to my father, and 11say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay.
10 "You shall live in the land of 12Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children and your flocks and your herds and all that you have.
11 "There I will also 13provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished."'
12 "Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which is speaking to you.

Genesis 45:2-12 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.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Genesis 45:14, 15; Genesis 46:29
  • 2. Acts 7:13
  • 3. Genesis 43:27
  • 4. Genesis 37:20-28; Genesis 42:21, 22
  • 5. Genesis 37:28
  • 6. Genesis 37:28
  • 7. Genesis 45:7, 8; Genesis 50:20; Psalms 105:17
  • 8. Genesis 37:2; Genesis 41:46, 53
  • 9. Genesis 45:5
  • 10. Judges 17:10
  • 11. Acts 7:14
  • 12. Genesis 46:28, 34; Genesis 47:1
  • 13. Genesis 47:12

Footnotes 6

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