Genesis 45:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way.”

NIV: Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, 'Don't quarrel on the way!'

NASB: So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, 'Do not quarrel on the journey.'

CSB: So Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, "Don't argue on the way."

NLT: So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, 'Don’t quarrel about all this along the way!'

KJV: So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

NKJV: So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”

Joseph has fully outfitted his 11 brothers with everything they will need to return to Canaan. Their mission is to load up everything they own, and everyone in their extended family, and relocate to Egypt. This would allow the family to survive the devastating, ongoing famine (Genesis 45:6). In addition, Joseph has sent along extravagant gifts for each of his brothers and for their father Jacob. The hope is that Jacob will hear the story of Joseph, see the abundance he sends along, and be convinced to make the move (Genesis 45:21–23).

Given all that's happened, Joseph's parting comment is humorous. It's not unreasonable, since the brothers might have been tempted to bicker over who was to blame for the past (Genesis 42:22). Some scholars believe the term translated "quarrel" might be better understood as "to be afraid." This would imply that Joseph is encouraging them to be confident, and not worry about being treated badly when they return to Egypt. Joseph would have wanted them to be at ease and to see their future as secure.

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 5/5/2024 10:57:34 PM