Chapter 45
Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers and Manifests God’s Plan.[a] 1 Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all of his attendants and he cried out, “Let everyone leave my presence!” Thus no one was there when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. 2 He cried out so loudly that all the Egyptians heard him, and the news reached Pharaoh’s palace.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not respond for they were dumbfounded at his presence.
4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me!” They approached him, and he said to them, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But do not be grieved and do not be angry with yourselves for having sold me down here, for God sent me here before you to save your lives. 6 The famine has already lasted two years in the land, and there are another five years in which there will be neither plowing not reaping. 7 God sent me here before you, to preserve a remnant for you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “It was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me a father to Pharaoh, lord over his whole household, and ruler of all the land of Egypt.
9 “Hurry, go up to my father and tell him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God has made me lord over all of Egypt. Come down here to me and do not delay. 10 You will live in the land of Goshen[b] and stay near me, you and your sons and the sons of your sons, your flocks and your herds, and all your possessions. 11 There I will give you provisions, for there will still be five more years to this famine, lest your family fall into poverty, you, and your family, and all you possess.” ’
12 “Your own eyes have seen it and the eyes of my brother Benjamin have seen it: it is I who speak to you. 13 Tell my father all the glory that I have in Egypt and what you have seen. Hurry to bring my father down here.”
14 He threw himself on the neck of Benjamin and cried. Benjamin also cried, holding on to his neck. 15 He then kissed all his brothers and cried, holding them to himself. Afterward, his brothers spoke to him.
16 In the house of Pharaoh they heard the report: “The brothers of Joseph have arrived.” This pleased Pharaoh and his ministers. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: load up your animals, leave, and go to the land of Canaan. 18 Then bring your father and your families and come to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the finest products of the land.’
19 “As for you, give them this command: ‘Do this: take wagons with you from the land of Egypt for your children and your wives. Bring your father and come. 20 Do not be concerned about your possessions, for the best of everything in the land of Egypt shall be yours.’ ”
21 The Sons of Jacob Return Home Again.[c] This is what the sons of Israel did. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh ordered, and he gave them provisions for their journey. 22 He gave all of them fresh clothing, but he gave Benjamin three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 He also sent his father ten donkeys loaded with products of Egypt and ten donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other food for their father’s trip. 24 He then sent his brothers off and, while they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not fight during the journey.”
25 They left Egypt and returned to the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob, 26 and immediately told him, “Joseph is alive; he is the ruler over the whole land of Egypt!” But his heart was cold, for he could not believe them. 27 When they told him all the things Joseph had said to them and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to bring him, their father’s spirit revived. 28 Israel said, “Enough! Joseph, my son, is alive. I will go to see him before I die!”
Footnotes
- Genesis 45:1 Here at last is the denouement. This scene of the brothers’ reunion magnifies the benevolence of Joseph. Far from avenging himself on his brothers, he pardons them for having sold him. His words are a recognition of God’s Providence whose action in favor of his faithful ones Joseph discovers in the unfolding of his own adventures. And in preparation for the great epic of the Exodus it was necessary that Israel should settle in Egypt, as Pharaoh now invites them to do.
- Genesis 45:10 Goshen: a region suitable for stock-rearing. For religious and legal reasons the Egyptians detested shepherds (the Hyksos; see Gen 46:34). The Hebrews will win positions of power and great wealth (vv. 18, 20; 47:6).
- Genesis 45:21 In contrast with the anxiety of the first return, it is a triumphal caravan that comes home to Canaan where the sons of Jacob go to fetch their aged father.