Genesis 45:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

NIV: You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.

NASB: Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which is speaking to you.

CSB: Look! Your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see that I'm the one speaking to you.

NLT: Then Joseph added, 'Look! You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph!

KJV: And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

NKJV: “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

In this verse, Joseph seems to be struggling to convince his brothers that what they hear is true. That's not surprising. Mere moments ago, they saw Joseph as a powerful Egyptian ruler ready to enslave their youngest brother (Genesis 44:17). Then, they were horrified to learn that powerful governor was the very brother they'd sold into slavery as a teenager (Genesis 37:24–28; 45:1–11). Joseph's reassurance that he means them no harm probably took some time to overcome their shock and amazement.

Joseph tells them to believe their own eyes. Now that all has been revealed, they should be able to tell these statements are all true. Once again, he will urge them to return to Canaan and report to Jacob what they have seen (Genesis 45:13). Perhaps Joseph mentions Benjamin because Jacob is most likely to listen to him.

Genesis 45:1–15 records Joseph's emotional revelation of his identity. Still unrecognized by his estranged brothers, Joseph had tested them, leading to Judah's passionate, sacrificial offer (Genesis 44:18–34). Overcome with emotion, Joseph identifies himself to his dumbfounded brothers. He states with confidence that all this has happened as part of God's plan to preserve the people of Israel.

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 5/5/2024 6:47:51 AM