Genesis 45:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

NIV: "You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.

NASB: Now you are ordered, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father and come.

CSB: You are also commanded to tell them, ‘Do this: Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your dependents and your wives and bring your father here.

NLT: Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Tell your brothers, ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt to carry your little children and your wives, and bring your father here.

KJV: Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

NKJV: Now you are commanded—do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come.

When Joseph entered Pharaoh's service, it was made clear that only Pharaoh would have more authority than Joseph; he would only interfere in matters of great importance (Genesis 41:40). The Pharaoh—king of Egypt—has been pleased to learn Joseph and his brothers have been reunited (Genesis 45:16). He has already enhanced Joseph's offer to care for his family (Genesis 45:17–18). Making his respect for Joseph even more obvious, Pharaoh promised to provide the best land in Egypt for Jacob and his family.

In fact, Pharaoh commands Joseph to act in the best interests of his own family. He tells Joseph to not merely "allow" his family to come, but to send transports back to Egypt. Pharaoh will not only welcome Jacob and his family, but he will also see to it they are "brought" into the nation. This includes Jacob's entire family, wives, children, and all they own. Pharaoh's invitation will help reassure Jacob that his family will be welcome in Egypt.

Genesis 45:16–28 describes Pharaoh's enthusiastic response to learning about Joseph's reunion with his estranged family. With Pharaoh's blessing, Joseph urges his brothers to return to Canaan, pack all they own, and come back to resettle the family in Egypt. Their father Jacob agrees after eventually being convinced the story is true.

Genesis 45 is a series of revelations. Following an emotional breakdown, Joseph finally reveals his identity to his baffled brothers. After they realize the governor of Egypt is the one they sold into slavery two decades earlier, he rushes to tell them he does not hold them responsible. In His own way, God had arranged for Joseph's enslavement, for the purpose of saving many people from famine. With Pharaoh's enthusiastic support, Joseph arranged for his brothers to return to Canaan, pack up Jacob and all they own, and come back to resettle in Egypt. Jacob, finally convinced all this is true, agrees to the move.

Genesis 44 concluded with an impassioned speech from Judah, offering to sacrifice himself for his younger brother. Overwhelmed with emotion, Joseph breaks down and finally reveals his identity to his brothers. He urges them to move Jacob's entire family to Egypt to survive the famine. Jacob agrees, leading to the migration and resettlement depicted in Genesis 46. The remainder of Genesis describes the happy results of this relocation.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 11/23/2024 4:22:19 AM