Genesis 45:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.

NIV: When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased.

NASB: Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.

CSB: When the news reached Pharaoh's palace, "Joseph's brothers have come," Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.

NLT: The news soon reached Pharaoh’s palace: 'Joseph’s brothers have arrived!' Pharaoh and his officials were all delighted to hear this.

KJV: And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

NKJV: Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well.

Overcome with emotion, Joseph had sent everyone but his brothers out of the room before revealing himself to them (Genesis 45:1). The story soon came out, however. Even if Joseph had wanted to delay, his dramatic cries were heard by others in the household (Genesis 45:2). The rapidly circulating news was that the 11 Hebrews from Canaan were, in fact, Joseph's own brothers. Though technically a slave, Joseph was also a beloved ruler in Egypt (Genesis 41:44) credited with saving many lives from the severe famine afflicting the land.

In a heartwarming response, Pharaoh seems joyous to learn that Joseph not only had a family, but also that they were visiting in Egypt. He and all of the servants of his household seem to share this response. This is further evidence that Joseph acted honorably over the course of his life in Egypt. His reputation gained him the respect and admiration of others.

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 5/6/2024 1:34:24 PM