Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers in this chapter. This chapter forms the conclusion of the story which began in chapter 43.
The account of Joseph focuses on the power of God. God is able to protect his people despite the evil actions of some. He also is able to continue to bless them despite their circumstances. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#peopleofgod and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#bless)
Genesis just recorded a period of time where Joseph's ancestors and brothers struggled with sin. Joseph's character in this chapter is upright. It gained him great favor in the eyes of Pharaoh and helped to save his people. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#sin /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#save)
This means he could not control his emotions. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "was about to start crying"
"near him"
Here "house" stands for the people in the Pharaoh's palace. Alternate translation: "everyone in Pharaoh's palace" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"terrified of him"
The meaning can be stated more explicitly. Alternate translation: "whom you sold as a slave to the trader who brought me to Egypt" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"do not be upset" or "do not be distressed"
The meaning can be stated more explicitly. Alternate translation: "that you sold me as a slave and sent me here to Egypt" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Here "life" stands for the people that Joseph saved from dying during the famine. Alternate translation: "so I could save many lives" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"there will be five more years without planting or harvesting." Here "neither plowing nor harvest" stands for the fact that the crops still will not grow because of the famine. Alternate translation: "and the famine will last five more years" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"so that you and your families would not completely perish from the earth" or "to make sure your descendants would survive"
The abstract noun "deliverance" can be stated as "rescuing." Alternate translation: "to keep you alive by rescuing you in a mighty way" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
Joseph advising and helping Pharaoh is spoken of as if Joseph were Pharaoh's father. Alternate translation: "he has made me a guide to Pharaoh" or "he has made me the chief adviser to Pharaoh" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Here "house" stands for the people who live in his palace. Alternate translation: "of all his household" or "of all his palace" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
Here "land" stands for the people. Alternate translation: "ruler over all the people of Egypt" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
Here Joseph means that he is ruler in second place to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This understood information can be made clear. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
This is the beginning of a three-level quotation.
It was common to use the phrase "go up" when speaking about going from Egypt to Canaan. Alternate translation: "go back to my father"
It was common to use the phrase "come down" when speaking about going from Canaan to Egypt. Alternate translation: "Come here to me"
The three-level quotation that began in verse 9 continues here.
The three-level quotation that began in verse 9 ends here.
The three-level quotation that began with the words "say to him" in verse 9 ends here. You may need to reduce the number of levels by making some levels indirect quotes. "say to him that his son Joseph says that God has made him master of all Egypt, so he must go down to Joseph and not delay. He will live in the land of Goshen, and he will be near Joseph, he and his children and his children's children, and his flocks and his herds, and all that he has. Joseph will provide for him there, for there are still five years of famine, so that he does not come to poverty, him, his household, and all that he has." or "say to him, 'Your son Joseph says that God has made him master of all Egypt, so he must go down to Joseph and not delay. He will live in the land of Goshen, and he will be near Joseph, he and his children and his children's children, and his flocks and his herds, and all that he has. Joseph will provide for him there, for there are still five years of famine, so that he does not come to poverty, him, his household, and all that he has.'"
This speaks about "poverty" as if it were a destination. Alternate translation: "waste away" or "starve" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
The word "eyes" stands for the entire person. Alternate translation: "All of you and Benjamin can see" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
The word "mouth" stands for the entire person. Alternate translation: "that I, Joseph, am speaking to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
"how the people in Egypt greatly honor me"
It was common to use the word "down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt. Alternate translation: "my father here to me"
"Joseph hugged his brother Benjamin, and they both wept"
In ancient Near East, it is common to greet a relative with a kiss. If your language has an affectionate greeting for a relative, use that. If not, use what is appropriate.
This means Joseph was crying while he kissed them.
Earlier they were too afraid to speak. Now they feel they can speak freely. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "After that his brothers talked freely with him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. It may also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Everyone in Pharaoh's palace heard that Joseph's brothers had come." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
This stands for Pharaoh's palace.
This is the beginning of a two-level quotation.
The two-level quotation that began in verse 17 ends here.
The two-level quotation that began in verse 17 ends here. This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. "Pharaoh told Joseph to tell his brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and go to the land of Canaan. Get your father and your households and come to me. I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.'" or "Pharaoh to Joseph to tell his brothers to do this: to load their animals and go to the land of Canaan, and also to get their father and their households and go to him. Pharaoh would give them the good of the land of Egypt, and they would eat the fat of the land." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
"I will give you the best land in Egypt"
The best food that a land produces is spoken of as if it were the fat portion of the land. Alternate translation: "you will eat the best food in the land" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Pharaoh continues to tell Joseph what to tell his brothers.
This is the beginning of a two-level quotation.
This does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
This can be stated in active form. You may also need to add the words "to tell them," which the writer left out of this ellipsis. Alternate translation: "I also command you to tell them" or "also tell them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
"Carts" are wagons with two or four wheels. Animals pull the carts.
The two-level quote that began in verse 19 ends here.
The two-level quote that began in verse 19 ends here. This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. "Now you are commanded to tell them to take carts out of the land of Egypt for their children and for their wives, to get their father, and to come. They are not to be concerned about their possessions, for the good of all the land of Egypt will be theirs." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
"gave them what they needed for traveling"
Each man received a set of clothes except for Benjamin who received 5 sets of clothes. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"300 pieces" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
The donkeys were included as part of the gift. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Possible meanings include 1) "do not argue" and 2) "do not become afraid"
It was common to use the word "up" when speaking of traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
Here "land of Egypt" stands for the people of Egypt. Alternate translation: "he rules all the people of Egypt" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
Here "heart" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "and he was astonished" or "he was very surprised" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
"he did not accept that what they said was true"
"They told Jacob"
"everything that Joseph had said to them"
The word "spirit" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "Jacob their father recovered" or "Jacob their father became very excited" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
This page has intentionally been left blank.