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Genesis 45

World English Bible

WEB

1Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence. 4Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be no plowing and no harvest. 7God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance. 8So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait. 10You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children’s children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11There I will provide for you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have.”’ 12Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here.” 14He fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him. 16The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan. 18Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.’ 19Now you are commanded to do this: Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” 21The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way. 24So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, “See that you don’t quarrel on the way.” 25They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. 26They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he didn’t believe them. 27They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived. 28Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Genesis Chapter 45 is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers. After a series of tests to reveal their character and repentance, Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers, who are initially terrified at the thought of facing the brother they had sold into slavery. Joseph reassures them, saying, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" (Genesis 45:3). This revelation is filled with emotion, as Joseph expresses his deep love for his family despite their past actions. He emphasizes that it was not merely their betrayal that brought him to Egypt, but God's sovereign plan to save lives during the famine, highlighting the theme of divine providence throughout the narrative. This moment illustrates the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, as Joseph encourages his brothers not to be distressed or angry with themselves for their wrongdoing, for God had used it for good (#forgiveness, #reconciliation).
The chapter continues with Joseph instructing his brothers to return to Canaan and bring their father Jacob and their families to Egypt, where he will provide for them during the remaining years of famine. He sends them back with gifts and provisions, demonstrating his generosity and care for his family. The emotional reunion is further emphasized as Joseph weeps with joy, and the brothers are filled with awe and relief. This chapter not only marks the restoration of family ties but also sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, as the family of Israel begins to grow and thrive in Egypt, ultimately leading to the events of the Exodus (#Joseph, #Israel, #God'sPromise).

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Referenced by

  1. Genesis 46:29v9Joseph's reunion with Jacob in Genesis 46:29 fulfills his earlier invitation to his family to come to Egypt for provision during the famine, as seen in Genesis 45:9-11.
  2. Esther 4:14v5In Esther 4:14, Mordecai suggests that Esther may have been placed in her royal position for the purpose of saving her people, similar to how Joseph in Genesis 45:5-8 recognizes that God sent him to Egypt to preserve life.

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