Add parallel Print Page Options

16 The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan. 18 Take 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.’ 19 Now 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. 20 Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23 He 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. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, “See that you don’t quarrel on the way.”

25 They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. 26 They 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. 27 They 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. 28 Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Read full chapter

16 Now it was reported[a] in the household of Pharaoh, “Joseph’s brothers have arrived.” It pleased[b] Pharaoh and his servants. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and go[c] to the land of Canaan! 18 Get your father and your households and come to me! Then I will give you[d] the best land in Egypt and you will eat[e] the best[f] of the land.’ 19 You are also commanded to say,[g] ‘Do this: Take for yourselves wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives. Bring your father and come. 20 Don’t worry[h] about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt will be yours.’”

21 So the sons of Israel did as he said.[i] Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed,[j] and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 He gave sets of clothes to each one of them,[k] but to Benjamin he gave 300 pieces of silver and five sets of clothes.[l] 23 To his father he sent the following:[m] ten donkeys loaded with the best products of Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, food, and provisions for his father’s journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers on their way and they left. He said to them, “As you travel don’t be overcome with fear.”[n]

25 So they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.[o] 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned,[p] for he did not believe them. 27 But when they related to him everything Joseph had said to them,[q] and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, their father Jacob’s spirit revived. 28 Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 45:16 tn Heb “and the sound was heard.”
  2. Genesis 45:16 tn Heb “was good in the eyes of.”
  3. Genesis 45:17 tn Heb “and go! Enter!”
  4. Genesis 45:18 tn After the imperatives in vv. 17-18a, the cohortative with vav indicates result.
  5. Genesis 45:18 tn After the cohortative the imperative with vav states the ultimate goal.
  6. Genesis 45:18 tn Heb “fat.”
  7. Genesis 45:19 tn The words “to say” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
  8. Genesis 45:20 tn Heb “let not your eye regard.”
  9. Genesis 45:21 tn Heb “and the sons of Israel did so.”
  10. Genesis 45:21 tn Heb “according to the mouth of Pharaoh.”
  11. Genesis 45:22 tn Heb “to all of them he gave, to each one, changes of outer garments.”
  12. Genesis 45:22 tn Heb “changes of outer garments.”
  13. Genesis 45:23 tn Heb “according to this.”
  14. Genesis 45:24 tn Heb “do not be stirred up in the way.” The verb means “stir up.” Some understand the Hebrew verb רָגָז (ragaz, “to stir up”) as a reference to quarreling (see Prov 29:9, where it has this connotation), but in Exod 15:14 and other passages it means “to fear.” This might refer to a fear of robbers, but more likely it is an assuring word that they need not be fearful about returning to Egypt. They might have thought that once Jacob was in Egypt, Joseph would take his revenge on them.
  15. Genesis 45:25 tn Heb “and they entered the land of Canaan to their father.”
  16. Genesis 45:26 tn Heb “and his heart was numb.” Jacob was stunned by the unbelievable news and was unable to respond.
  17. Genesis 45:27 tn Heb “and they spoke to him all the words of Joseph which he had spoke to them.”