Joseph Reassures His Brothers

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge(A) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”(B) 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions(C) before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins(D) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’(E) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.(F)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.(G)

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.(H) “We are your slaves,”(I) they said.

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?(J) 20 You intended to harm me,(K) but God intended(L) it for good(M) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.(N) 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.(O)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly(P) to them.

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15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay[a] us in full[b] for all the harm[c] we did to him?” 16 So they sent word[d] to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave these instructions before he died: 17 ‘Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father.” When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept.[e] 18 Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, “Here we are; we are your slaves.” 19 But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am[f] I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant to harm me,[g] but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.[h] 21 So now, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children.” Then he consoled them and spoke kindly to them.[i]

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Notas al pie

  1. Genesis 50:15 tn The imperfect tense could be a simple future; it could also have a desiderative nuance.
  2. Genesis 50:15 tn The infinitive absolute makes the statement emphatic, “repay in full.”
  3. Genesis 50:15 tn Or “evil.”
  4. Genesis 50:16 tn The verb means “command,” but they would hardly be commanding him. It probably means they sent their father’s instructions to Joseph.
  5. Genesis 50:17 tn Heb “and Joseph wept when they spoke to him.”
  6. Genesis 50:19 tn Heb “For am I.”
  7. Genesis 50:20 tn Heb “you devised against me evil.”
  8. Genesis 50:20 tn Heb “God devised it for good in order to do, like this day, to preserve alive a great nation.”
  9. Genesis 50:21 tn Heb “spoke to their heart.”