VERSE 1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, "Have everyone go out from me (yl'['me vyai-lk' WayciAh ar'q.YIw: wyl'[' ~ybiC'NIh; lkol. qPea;t.hil. @seAy lkoy"-al{w> [waw w/neg lo + Qal perf.3m.s. yakol be able + p.n. Joseph + prep lamedh w/Hithpael infin.constr. aphaq be strong + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. kol all + def.art.w/Niphal part.m.p.abs. natsab stand + prep al w/1s.suff. + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. qara call + Hiphil imper.m.p. yatsa go out + noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m.s.abs. ish man + prep min w/prep al w/1s.suff.])."

So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers (wyx'a,-la, @seAy [D;w:t.hiB. ATai vyai dm;['-al{w> [waw w/neg lo + Qal perf.3m.s. amad stand + noun m.s.abs. ish man + prep eth w/1s.suff. + prep beth w/Hithpael infin.constr. yada know + p.n. Joseph + prep el + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach]).

VERSE 2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it (h[or>P; tyBe [m;v.YIw: ~yIr;c.mi W[m.v.YIw: ykib.Bi Alqo-ta, !TeYIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nathan give + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. qol voice + prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. beki weeping + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. shama hear + p.n. Egyptian + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. shama hear + noun m.s.constr. bayith household + p.n. Pharaoh]).

VERSE 3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive (yx' ybia' dA[h; @seAy ynIa] wyx'a,-la, @seAy rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + p.n. Joseph + prep el + noun m.p.w/3m.s.suff. ach + pro.1s. ani I + p.n. Joseph + interrog ha w/adv odh still + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. abh + adj.m.s.abs. chay living])?"

But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence (wyn"P'mi Wlh]b.nI yKi Atao tAn[]l; wyx'a, Wlk.y"-al{w> [waw w/neg lo + Qal perf.3p. yakal be abel + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + prep lamedh w/Qal infin.constr. anah answer + d.o. maker w/3m.s.suff. + part ki + Niphal perf.3p. bahal be disturbed/alarmed/terrified + prep min w/noun both p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. paneh face]).

VERSE 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me (yl;ae an"-WvG> wyx'a,-la, @seAy rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + p.n. Joseph + prep el + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + Qal imper.m.p. nagash draw near + interj na please + prep el w/1s.suff.])."

And they came closer (WvG"YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. nagash draw near]).

And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt (hm'y>r'c.mi ytiao ~T,r>k;m.-rv,a] ~k,yxia] @seAy ynIa] rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + pro.1s. ani I + p.n. Joseph + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. ach + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.2m.p. makar sell + d.o. marker w/1s.suff. + p.n. Egypt]).

VERSE 5 "Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life (~k,ynEp.li ~yhil{a/ ynIx;l'v. hy"x.mil. yKi hN"he ytiao ~T,r>k;m.-yKi ~k,ynEy[eB. rx;yI-la;w> Wbc.['Te-la; hT'[;w> [waw w/adv attah now + neg lo + Niphal impf.2m.p. atsab grieve, vex + waw w/neg al + Qal impf.3m.s. charah burn; "be angry" + prep beth w/noun f. dual constr.w/2m.p.suff. ayin eye; "with yourselves" + paart ki + Qal perf.2m.p. makar sell + d.o. marker w/1s.suff. + adv hinneh here + part ki + prep lamedh w/noun f.s.abs. micheyah preservation of life + Qal perf.3m.s.w/1s.suff. shalach send + noun m.p.abs. Elohim + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. paneh face; "before you"]).

VERSE 6 "For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting (ryCiq'w> vyrIx'-!yae rv,a] ~ynIv' vmex' dA[w> #r,a'h' br,q,B. b['r'h' ~yIt;n"v. hz<-yKi [part ki + adj.m.s.abs. zeh this + noun f. dual abs. shanah year; "two years" + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. ra-ab famine + prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. qereb midst + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. eretz land + waw w/adv odh still + adj.f.s.abs. chamesh five + noun f.p.abs. shanah + rel.pro. asher + adv ayin neither + noun m.s.abs. cherish plowing + waw w/noun m.s.abs. qatsir harvest]) .

VERSE 7 "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance (hl'doG> hj'ylep.li ~k,l' tAyx]h;l.W #r,a'B' tyrIaev. ~k,l' ~Wfl' ~k,ynEp.li ~yhil{a/ ynIxel'v.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s.w/1s.suff. shalach send + noun m.p.abs. Elohim + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. paneh face + prep lamedh w/Qal infin.constr. shim put; "to preserve" + prep lamedh w/2m.p.suff. + noun f.s.abs. she-erith remnant, residue + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. eretz earth + waw w/prep lamedh w/Hiphil infin.constr. chayah be + prep lamedh + prep lamedh w/noun f.s.abs. peleytah escape; "deliverance" + adj.f.s.abs. gadol great]).

VERSE 8 "Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God (~yhil{a/h' yKi hN"he ytiao ~T,x.l;v. ~T,a;-al{ hT'[;w> [waw w/adv attah now + neg lo + pro.2m.p. attem you + Qal perf.2m.p. shalach send + d.o. marker w/1s.suff. + adv hinneh hither; "here" + part ki for + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. Elohim]; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt (~yIr'c.mi #r,a,-lk'B. lvemoW AtyBe-lk'l. !Ada'l.W h[or>p;l. ba'l. ynImeyfiy>w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s.w/1s.suff. shim put; "has made" + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. abh father + prep lamedh w/p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/prep lamedh w/noun m.s.ab.s adon lord + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bayith household + waw w/Qal part.m.s.abs. moshel dominion; "ruler" + pre beth w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun both s.ab.s eretz land + p.n. Egypt]).

VERSE 9 "Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph (@seAy ^n>Bi rm;a' hKo wyl'ae ~T,r>m;a]w: ybia'-la, Wl[]w: Wrh]m; [Pie limper.m.p. mahar hasten + waw w/Qal imper.m.p. alah go up + prep el + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. abh + waw w/Qal perf.2m.p. amar say + prep el w/3m.suff. + adv koch thus + Qal perf.3m.s. amar say + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ben + p.n. Joseph], "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay [Qal perf.3m.s.w/1s.suff. shim put; "has made" + noun m.p.abs. Elohim + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. adon lord + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + p.n. Egypt + Qal imper.m.s. yarad descend + prep el w/3m.s.suff. + neg al + Qal impf.2m.s. amad stand; "delay"]).

VERSE 10 "You shall live in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me (yl;ae bArq' t'yyIh'w> !v,GO-#r,a,b. T'b.v;y"w> [waw w/Qal perf.2m.s. yashab dwell + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Goshen + waw w/Qal perf.2m.s. hayah be + adj.m.s.abs. qarobh near +prep el w/1s.suff.], you and your children and your children's children and your flocks and your herds and all that you have [%l'-rv,a]-lk'w> ^r>q'b.W ^n>acow> ^yn<b' ynEb.W ^yn<b'W hT'a; [pro.2m.s. attem you + waw w/noun m.p.constr. w/2m.s.suff. ben "your children" + waw w/noun m.p.constr. ben + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ben + waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. tson flock + waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. baqar herd, cattle + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + rel.pro. asher + prep lamedh w/2f.s.suff.]).

VERSE 11 "There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come (b['r' ~ynIv' vmex' dA[-yKi ~v' ^t.ao yTil.K;l.kiw> [waw w/Pilpel perf.1s. kul provide + d.o. marker w/2m.s.suff. + adv shasm there + part ki + adv odh still + adj.f.s.abs. chamishshah five + noun f.p.abs. shanah year + noun m.s.abs. ra-abh famine], and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished [%l'-rv,a]-lk'w> ^t.ybeW hT'a; vreW"Ti-!P, [part pen lest + Niphal impf.2m.s. yarash come to poverty + pro.2m.s. attem you + waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. bayith + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + rel.pro. asher + prep lamedh w/2f.s.suff.])."'

VERSE 12 "Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which is speaking to you (~k,ylea] rBed;m.h; ypi-yKi !ymiy"n>bi yxia' ynEy[ew> tAaro ~k,ynEy[e hNEhiw> [waw w/interj hinneh + noun f. dual constr.w/2m.p.suff. ayin eye + Qal part.f.p.abs. ra-ah see + waw w/noun m. dual constr. ayin + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. ach + p.n. Benjamin + part ki + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. peh mouth + def.art.w/Piel part.m.s.abs. dabar speak + prep el w/2m.p.suff.]).

VERSE 13 "Now you must tell my father of all my splendor in Egypt, and all that you have seen (~t,yair> rv,a]-lK' taew> ~yIr;c.miB. ydIAbK.-lK'-ta, ybia'l. ~T,d>G:hiw> [waw w/Hiphil perf.2m.p. nagad make known + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. abh father + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. kabodh glory + prep beth w/p.n. Egypt + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. kol all + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.2m.p. ra-ah see]; and you must hurry and bring my father down here [hN"he ybia'-ta, ~T,d>r;Ahw> ~T,r>h;miW [waw w/Piel perf.2m.p. mahar hasten + waw w/Hiphil perf.2m.p. yarad go down + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. abh father + pro.3f.p. hennah])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-13

1. Judah’s speech, intended to arouse leniency before their accuser, elicited an outburst from Joseph that brings the climax to the suspense.
2. Judah’s speech lay to rest any qualms that Joseph might have harbored with respect to his brothers’ moral/spiritual condition.
3. They had changed, and they had changed dramatically.
4. Judah’s speech aroused emotions in Joseph that he had managed to control on two previous occasions (cf. 42:24; 43:30).
5. Just the day before he had abruptly retreated from the presence of his brothers to weep in his bedroom.
6. This time, however, he wants to express himself in uninhibited terms.
7. Judah’s speech did it for him; he could no longer justify within himself a need to pursue vindictiveness.
8. He made up his mind, that then and there, he would disclose himself to his brothers, and let them know that they were forgiven of their transgression against him.
9. He hadn’t planned it exactly this way, but Judah’s speech, and the banding together of the brothers for the sake of Benjamin, disarmed his vengefulness.
10. The translation, "Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him" (e.g., attendants) has the same verb form as in 43:30 (hithpael infinitive apaq be strong).
11. But he can’t disclose himself as long as non-family members are present in the great room of his house.
12. So he suddenly and loudly orders someone (his special servant?) to "have everyone leave [his] presence!"
13. From his highest official, to the lowly maid servant, the great room saw a clutch of humanity heading for the exit.
14. His demeanor at this point portrays extreme dissatisfaction and even burning anger.
15. The narrator makes it clear that Joseph was alone when he made his great disclosure.
16. This was a personal family occasion in which the participants (12 men) could speak and act freely.
17. Upon the rapid and somewhat disorderly exit of the room, the place was suddenly, for a moment, quiet like a tomb.
18. The silence was pierced with Joseph’s wailing crying (v. 2).
19. His crying was so loud and so intense that it penetrated to the outside of the room and "the Egyptians heard it."
20. The follow-up phrase "and the household of Pharaoh heard it" suggests that news travels fast.
21. Pharaoh’s place was in an adjacent city in Lower Egypt designated in Scripture as Zoan (Gk. Tanis; Egyptian Itjowy).
22. Tanis was the royal capital existing in the days of Abraham, Joseph and Moses.
23. Pharaoh’s palace at Zoan was located in Nile Delta as well, and so not very far from Avaris, the city of Joseph.
24. Vv. 3-15 are a dovetailed follow-up to v. 2; as vv. 17-20 are to v. 16.
25. The moment of disclosure has two words in the Hebrew: a pronoun followed by a proper noun—"I am Joseph!"
26. Joseph in the midst of his wailing, cries out, "I Joseph!" followed immediately by "Is my father still alive!"
27. Were it not for such an emotional occasion his question would seem strange after asking the brothers about the status of his father (43:27),and after Judah’s speech about his father (chap. 44).
28. Joseph’s outburst understandably left the brothers "dumbfounded" (v.3).
29. The Niphal perfect of the verb bahal means to terrify someone (Ex. 15:15; Judg. 20:41; 1Sam. 28:21; Ps. 48:5.
30. Joseph’s question serves to show the brothers that he is reunited with the family.
31. Maybe Joseph was worried about Jacob as Judah had painted such a grim picture of his father’s mental state.
32. The brothers were so terrified that they could not speak (v.3).
33. So Joseph hurries to reassure them that he has no plans for revenge (v.4).
34. Again he affirms, "I am Joseph your brother" and adds "whom you sold into Egypt."
35. Joseph reveals something that only his ten older brothers would have known.
36. Not even Benjamin knew of this family skelton until Joseph spoke these words.
37. In such an emotional and fragile moment, Joseph speaks in his native Hebrew as his interpreter has left the room.
38. He invites them to draw near to his face and look into his eyes and see if "the man" doesn’t look all the world like their lost brother.
39. Joseph’s reference to his fate at their hands provided all the necessary proof of his identity.
40. He quickly reassures them, exhorting them to "not be grieved or angry with yourselves" as this would sour the wonderful moment of their reunion after all those years of regret.
41. The two terms relate to the most intense of emotions—anguish and rage.
42. Joseph proceeds to articulate an objective truth with respect to the events that led to his exile in Egypt.
43. Their sinful actions notwithstanding, he explains, are ultimately God’s doing (v.5).
44. It soon became clear to Joseph after his exaltation to Vizier that he was sent to Egypt "to preserve life."
45. In v. 5 we have the seasoned words of Joseph and not the narrator.
46. In v.6 he brings the brothers in on the famine—the famine is closer to its beginning than end.
47. Two years have passed and there are five yet to go he tells them.
48. Farmers who plowed hoping for spring rains were sorely disappointed and after awhile they failed to do even that.
49. All manner of agricultural activity came to a standstill.
50. In v. 7 Joseph explains his role under God as a preserver of life (cf. v. 5b).
51. The term he uses for the chosen race and their preservation during this horrific period in their history is "a remnant."
52. A remnant refers to those who escape destruction and so are the bearers of life for a future existence (ex. 8 souls on the Ark).
53. By any standards what happened to the Hebrew race during this episode in their history was "a great deliverance."
54. This deliverance was not just the surviving of a tiny new racial type but the survival of the plan of God for the salvation of many.
55. If they perished during the famine then the promises of God would have fallen to the ground.
56. Ironically God produced the threat (natural disasters of epic proportions) that threatened his own plan while providing the escape hatch for his chosen ones.
57. A deliverance that was orchestrated by God through a seventeen year old kid who kept his faith alive during his ordeals in Egypt and stayed true to his destiny manifest in his dreams.
58. In v. 8 Joseph concludes his history lesson by reaffirming that all-important theological fact that his presence in Egypt was not something the brothers did, but was the hidden hand of God to produce a greater good.
59. They were just tools, albeit evil ones, advancing the interests of God.
60. The Joseph experience has Romans 8:28 written all over it!
61. Four times in this chapter Joseph attributes his success and role as deliverer to God (vv. 5,7,8,9).
62. Joseph leaves until last the position of eminence bestowed on him.
63. There is no self-centered display in Joseph.
64. He does not speak in a prideful manner but gives God the credit.
65. It is not the success he has achieved.
66. Of the three titles he uses of himself in v.8 the most intriguing is "father to Pharaoh."
67. Typically a good father mentors his son.
68. When used in a non-familial sense it means that the one acting the role of "father" is the one who in Joseph’s case provides the king with essential wisdom and advice.
69. This is exactly what Joseph did after he revealed the content of Pharaoh’s dreams.
70. And to his great credit Pharaoh listened to this lowly outsider.
71. So in this sense Joseph exercised paternal influence over Pharaoh.
72. He had the divine insight (BD) that Pharaoh sorely needed if he and his kingdom were to survive.
73. For "lord of all his household" see comments on 41:39-40.
74. The words given the brothers to take home to Jacob in v. 8 are essential information so Jacob will fully understand that when his family moves to Egypt they will be secure.
75. Joseph is so keen to see his father (cf. 1^st question in v.3) that the gestures of greeting are postponed until later (vv. 14-15).
76. His personal message to his father is contained in vv. 9-11.
77. He begins and ends by urging them to hurry (vv. 9, 11).
78. He promises them good pasture land near to his residence in Avaris in the district of Goshen and plenty of provisions during the next five years.
79. Joseph anticipates that his father might be reluctant to leave.
80. He tells his father that the family will live in Goshen which is in the N.E. Delta region of Lower Egypt (v.10).
81. In famines, the land was mortgaged or the destitute sold themselves into slavery or perished (cf. 47:13-26).
82. Jacob must know that the famine he is living under will not go away next year or even the year after that.
83. He only has so much silver and things will get much worse in Canaan.
84. When people are starving they get desperate and resort to pillaging the weak.
85. As surreal as all this certainly must have felt to the brothers they are told to trust their eyes and their hearing as Joseph spoke in their native tongue—"it is my mouth which is speaking to you" and not through his interpreter.
86. Benjamin, who could not identify his brother, can testify to all the rest of it, and act as a valuable witness if there is any reluctance of the part of Jacob to believe the rest of his sons once he finds out how they had conned him all those years.
87. Finally, Joseph encourages his brothers to provide any extra commentary on what especially struck them about Joseph’s "splendor in Egypt" (v.13).
88. For a final time he urges them to "hurry" and "bring" Jacob "down here."
89. This is mildly amusing in light of Jacob’s "bring my gray hair down to Sheol" (42:38) should anything happen to Benjamin.
90. "My father" from first (v.3) to last dominates Joseph’s concern in this speech.

Brothers Reunite (vv. 14-15)

VERSE 14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck (wyr'aW"c;-l[; hk'B' !miy"n>biW &.b.YEw: wyxia'-!miy"n>bi yreaW>c;-l[; lPoYIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. naphal fall + prep al + noun m.p.constr. tsawwar neck + p.n. Benjamin + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. bakah weep + waw w/p.n. Benjamin + Qal perf.3m.s. bakah + prep al + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. tsawwar]).

VERSE 15 He kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him (ATai wyx'a, WrB.DI !ke yrex]a;w> ~h,yle[] &.b.YEw: wyx'a,-lk'l. qVen:y>w [waw w/Piel impf.3m.s. nashq kiss + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. bakah weep + prep al w/3m.p.suff. + waw w/adv achare after + part ken so + Piel perf.3p. dabar speak + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + prep eth w/3m.s.suff]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 14-15

1. At last the emotional embrace.
2. After the stunning revelation, Joseph takes the initiative and embraces his youngest brother whom he had never seen but only anticipated through the dream with the eleven stars.
3. How could he have known that this brother would be his full brother?
4. Judah made that clear in his speech (44:27-28).
5. Of course Benjamin was not involved in the crime against Joseph and for him Joseph’s disclosure was a complete revelation.
6. This was a lot for this lad to absorb.
7. Joseph makes the first move as the brothers stood before him in stunned silence.
8. Up to this point the brothers maintained their physical distance from Joseph but now Joseph approaches Benjamin and embraces him and weeps profusely.
9. Benjamin over the years had heard everything there was to know about his lost brother and upon Joseph’s embrace he breaks down in tears.
10. From Benjamin Joseph moves to each of the brothers and kisses them and weeps on them (v.15a).
11. Did they weep too, or were they still in a state of disbelief and shock?
12. They were probably too stunned to weep for joy.
13. Individually they each were trying to process [make sense of] everything they were experiencing.
14. Joseph’s gesture was a release of pent-up emotions and served to demonstrate his forgiveness.
15. His action served also to break the ice and "his brothers talked with him."
16. They had a lot of catching up to do, ending a twenty-two year hiatus.
17. Everything was out in the open and all the gaps were filled in.
18. They had something between them that they had never had before—genuine fellowship (cf. 37:4 where they could not even speak to him civilly).

Pharaoh Lends His Full Support (vv. 16-20)

VERSE 16 Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants (wyd'b'[] ynEy[eb.W h[or>p; ynEy[eB. bj;yYIw: @seAy yxea] WaB' rmoale h[or>P; tyBe [m;v.nI lQoh;w> [waw w/def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. qol "news" + Niphal perf.3m.s. shama hear + noun m.s.constr. bayith + p.n. Pharaoh + prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr. amar say + Qal perf.3p. bo come + noun m.p.constr. ach + p.n. Joseph + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. yatab be good; "it pleased" + prep beth w/noun m. dual constr. ayin + p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/prep beth w/noun m. dual constr. ayin + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s. ebed servant]).

VERSE 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan (![;n"K. hc'r>a; Wabo-Wkl.W ~k,r>y[iB.-ta, Wn[]j; Wf[] tazO ^yx,a;-la, rmoa/ @seAy-la, h[or>P; rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Pharaoh + prep el + p.n. Joseph + Qal imper.m.s. amar + prep el + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ach + adj.f.s.abs. zoth this + Qal imper.m.p. ashah + Qal imper.m.p. ta-an load + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. be-ir beast + waw w/prep lamedh w/Qal imper.m.p. halak walk + Qal imper.m.p. bo go + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan]),

VERSE 18 and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land (#r,a'h' bl,xe-ta, Wlk.aiw> ~yIr;c.mi #r,a, bWj-ta, ~k,l' hn"T.a,w> yl'ae WaboW ~k,yTeB'-ta,w> ~k,ybia]-ta, Wxq.W [waw w/Qal imper.m.p. laqach take + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. abh + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. bayith + waw w/Qal imper.m.p. bo come + prep el w/1s.suff. + waw w/Qal impf.1s. nathan give + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff. + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. tob good; "the best" + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + waw w/Qal imper.m.p. akal eat + d.o. marker + noun m.s.abs. cheleb fat + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. eretz]).'

VERSE 19 "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 (~t,ab'W ~k,ybia]-ta, ~t,af'n>W ~k,yven>liw> ~k,P.j;l. tAlg"[] ~yIr;c.mi #r,a,me ~k,l'-Wxq. Wf[] tazO ht'yWEcu hT'a;w> [waw w/pro.2m.s. attah you + Pual perf.2m.s. tsawah order, command + adj.f.s.abs. zoth this + Qal imper.m.p. ashah + Qal imper.m.p. laqach take + prep lamedh w/2m.p.suff. + prep min w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + noun f.p.abs. algalah wagon + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. taph little ones + waw w/prep lamedh w/noun f.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. ishshah wife + waw w/Qal perf.2m.p. nasha lift; "bring" + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. abh + waw w/Qal perf.2m.p. bo come]).

VERSE 20 'Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours (aWh ~k,l' ~yIr;c.mi #r,a,-lK' bWj-yKi ~k,yleK.-l[; sxoT'-la; ~k,n>y[ew> [waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. ayin + neg al + Qal impf.2m.s. chus pity, spare; "concern" + prep al + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. keli utensil; "goods" + part ki for + noun m.s.constr. tob good + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + prep lamedh w/2m.p.suff. + pro.3m.s. hu "is yours"]).'"

ANALYSIS: VERSES 16-20

1. Here we have in Pharaoh’s invitation a royal confirmation of Joseph’s previously issued invitation.
2. Joseph takes the initiative and Pharaoh ratifies it.
3. It is unlikely that even Joseph has authorization to invite Asiatic immigrants to the Delta region of Egypt.
4. Joseph’s superior is delighted to provide official royal authorization for the relocation of Joseph’s kin.
5. Why not?
6. Is this not a small favor to repay to a man who saved the empire from ruin?
7. The report that came to Pharaoh’s attention refers not only to Joseph’s invitation to Jacob (vv. 9ff.), but to all that transpired in Joseph’s self-disclosure to this brothers.
8. Note that not just Pharaoh but Pharaoh’s courtiers approve of Joseph’s family coming.
9. In Pharaoh’s communiqué he uses Joseph’s Hebrew name (not Zaphenath-Paneah).
10. Both of his speeches are introduced with the demonstrative pronoun (zoth-this) followed by the imperative "do" (e.g., "This do.").
11. If anything Pharaoh’s offer is more comprehensive than Joseph’s offer.
12. In the first speech the brothers are commissioned to return to Canaan and to bring their father and households to Egypt (v.18a).
13. This is followed by a royal promise of sanctuary in "the [very] best of the land of Egypt" which means they "will eat the fat of the land" (v. 18b).
14. In his 2nd speech (v. 19) he directs Joseph to provide "wagons" for the family members who would be less capable of enduring the long walk into Egypt (e.g. little ones, wives and Jacob).
15. These were probably large two-wheeled ox carts.
16. This shows Pharaoh to be a thoughtful and kind man.
17. And finally, to relive any stress of moving not only people but possessions, Pharaoh tells Joseph and his brothers to not be concerned about packing and transporting all their possessions (v. 20a).
18. He assures them that everything they need is in the land Egypt to make a fresh start (v. 20b).
19. Sesostris I directive, if nothing else, shows how much Joseph was loved and revered for his service to Egypt.

The Return Trip (vv. 21-28)

VERSE 21 Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey (%r,D'l; hd'ce ~h,l' !TeYIw: h[or>p; yPi-l[; tAlg"[] @seAy ~h,l' !TeYIw: laer'f.yI ynEB. !ke-Wf[]Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. ashah + adv ken so + noun m.p.constr. ben + p.n. Israel + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nathan give + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff. + p.n. Joseph + noun f.p.abs. agalah cart, wagon + prep al + noun m.s.constr. peh mouth; "the command" + p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nathan give + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff. + noun f.s.abs. tseyrah provision + prep lamedh w/noun both s.abs. derek]).

VERSE 22 To each of them he gave changes of garments, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments (tl{m'f. tpolix] vmex'w> @s,K, tAame vl{v. !t;n" !miy"n>bil.W tl{m'f. tAplix] vyail' !t;n" ~L'kul. [prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. kol all + Qal perf.3m.s. nathan give + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. ish + noun f.p.constr. chalepah change (of garments); cloak + noun f.p.abs. shemelah garment + waw w/prep lamedh w/p.n. Benjamin + Qal perf.3m.s. nathan + adj.f.s.constr. shalosh five + adj.f.p.abs. me-ah hundred + noun m.s.abs. keseph silver + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. chamesh three + noun f.p.constr. chalipah change of garment + noun f.p.abs. shemelah garment]).

VERSE 23 To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt (~yIr'c.mi bWJmi ~yaif.nO ~yrImox] hr'f'[] tazOK. xl;v' wybia'l.W [waw w/prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. abh + Qal perf.3m.s. shalach send + prep kaph w/adj.f.s.abs. zoth = "as follows" + adj.f.s.abs. asharah ten + noun m.p.abs. chamor donkey + Qal part.m.p.abs. nasha lift; "loaded" + prep min w/noun m.s.constr. tob good; "best" + p.n. Egypt], and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and sustenance for his father on the journey [%r,D'l; wybia'l. !Azm'W ~x,l,w" rB' taof.nO tnOtoa] rf,[,w> [waw w/adj.f.s.abs. esher ten + noun f.p.abs. athon female donkey + Qal part.f.p.abs. nasha lift; "loaded" + noun m.s.ab.s bar grain + waw w/noun m.s.abs. lechem bread + waw w/noun m.s.abs. mason sustenance, food; from root ‘to feed’ + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. abh + prep lamedh w/noun both s.abs. derek]).

VERSE 24 So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, "Do not quarrel on the journey (%r,D'B; WzG>r>Ti-la; ~h,lea] rm,aYOw: WkleYEw: wyx'a,-ta, xL;v;y>w: [waw w/Piel impf.3m.s. shalach send + d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. halak "departed" + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + prep el w/3m.p.suff. + neg al + Qal impf.2m.p. ragaz rage; "quarrel" + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun both s.abs. derek])."

VERSE 25 Then they went up from Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob (~h,ybia] bqo[]y:-la, ![;n:K. #r,a, WaboY"w: ~yIr'c.Mimi Wl[]Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. alah go up + prep min w/p.n. Egypt + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. bo come + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan + prep el + p.n. Jacob + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. abh]).

VERSE 26 They told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt (~yIr'c.mi #r,a,-lk'B. lvemo aWh-ykiw> yx; @seAy dA[ rmoale Al WdGIY:w [waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.p. nagad make known + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + prep lamedh w/Qal infin.constr. amar + adv odh still + p.n. Joseph + adj.m.s.abs. chay living + waw w/part for + pro.3m.s. hu he + Qal part.m.s.abs. mashal rule + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt])."

But he was stunned, for he did not believe them (~h,l' !ymia/h,-al{ yKi ABli gp'Y"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. pugh grown numb + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. leb heart + part ki + Hiphil perf.3m.s. aman believe [hiphil] + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff.]).

VERSE 27 When they told him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them (~h,lea] rB,DI rv,a] @seAy yreb.DI-lK' tae wyl'ae WrB.d;y>w: [waw w/Piel impf.3m.p. dabar speak + prep el w/3m.s.suff. + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.p.constr. dabar word + p.n. Joseph + rel.pro. asher + Piel perf.3m.s. dabar speak + prep el w/3m.p.suff.], and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him [Atao tafel' @seAy xl;v'-rv,a] tAlg"[]h'-ta, ar>Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. ra-ah see + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun f.p.abs. agalah wagon + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. shalach send + p.n. Joseph + prep lamedh w/Qal infin.constr. nasha lift, carry + d.o. marker w/3m.s.suff.], the spirit of their father Jacob revived [~h,ybia] bqo[]y: x;Wr yxiT.w: [waw w/Qal impf.3f.s. chayah live; "revived" + noun both s.abs. ruach spirit + p.n. Jacob + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. abh]).

VERSE 28 Then Israel said, "It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die (tWma' ~r,j,B. WNa,r>a,w> hk'l.ae yx' ynIB. @seAy-dA[ br; laer'f.yI rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Israel + adv rab great; "It is enough" + adv odh still + p.n. Joseph + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. ben + adj.m.s.abs. chay living + Qal impf.1s. halak go + waw w/Qal impf.1s.w/3m.s.suff. ra-ah see + prep beth w/adv terem before + Qal impf.1s. muth die])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 21-28

1. In the preceding scene we saw Pharaoh enthusiastically approving of Joseph’s family migrating to Egypt, and the Pharaoh making even more generous promises for the future and for the journey.
2. Joseph’s brothers are designated "sons of Israel" (cf. 42:5) carry out Pharaoh’s bidding with Joseph’s assistance (v.21).
3. In addition to the items specified, Joseph provides each of his brothers with a gift—a change of clothes (v. 22a); but Benjamin comes off better than his brothers.
4. The term here (shimlah) refers to an outer coat, which could be used as a blanket at night.
5. It is to be remembered that the brothers tore their cloaks and so permanently damaged them (cf. 44:13).
6. This sending-off gift is extravagant as it consisted of five changes of cloaks and three hundred pieces of silver (v. 22b).
7. As at the dinner party (43:34) Joseph does something extra special for his younger brother as he loved him in a special way.
8. Once again the themes of clothing and silver appear in the Joseph story (cf. 37:3, 23, 28 [20 pieces of silver]; 31,32,33; 39:12-18; 41:42).
9. He who was stripped of his outer tunic, now gives each of the brothers a change of clothing.
10. Joseph is already demonstrating forgiveness and reconciliation with this special touch.
11. This time there is no hate and jealousy when one brother is noticeably favored.
12. We as believers are supposed to rejoice with those who rejoice.
13. Joseph personally dispatches the caravan back to Canaan which in addition to the special wagons, carries the finest products from the land of Egypt as a gift to his beloved father (v. 23).
14. Female donkeys also provide milk.
15. Twenty pack animals in addition to the brothers own donkeys (?) bring much needed provisions ("grain and bread") to people who have suffered deprivation for two years.
16. Joseph’s parting injunction translated: "Do not quarrel on the journey" (NASB, NIV) is taken by commentators (modern) to not become involved in recriminations over the past.
17. Prov. 29:9 may support this meaning, but the verb (ragaz) is usually used as a synonym for fear as in Ex. 15:14.
18. So many rabbinic commentators take this parting exhortation to mean to not be afraid of robbers attacking a well-laden caravan.
19. He might also be encouraging them not to have second thoughts about returning to Egypt.
20. The closing scene (vv. 25-28) offers a stark contrast to two previous occasions when the brothers returned to Jacob.
21. The first back in chapter 37 has Jacob saying, "Joseph surely has been torn to pieces…I shall go down to Sheol in mourning" (37:33, 35).
22. On their most recent return trip Jacob said, "Joseph is no more," "everything is against me," "you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow" (42:36, 38).
23. The happy trip home was filled with anticipation and the brothers made it back expeditiously to their father in Hebron (v.25).
24. Upon arriving they excitedly greet their father with: "Joseph is still living, and indeed he is ruler over all Egypt!" (v.26a).
25. Back in chapter 37 Jacob believed the brothers’ lie.
26. Here he initially disbelieves his sons’ declaration even though they are being truthful.
27. His response is parallel to the disciples shock and disbelief when they were told Jesus was alive.
28. The translation of Jacob’s reaction to this seemingly fantastical news—"he was stunned"—is more literally, "his heart stood still."
29. The verb here (pugh) means ‘grow numb."
30. It is found three other places in the OT: (Pss. 38:9; 77:3; Hab. 1:4).
31. This reaction could be explained by the fact that all those years he had believed the brothers’ account of the death of Joseph; now he is confronted with the reality that he has held on to something that is now proven to be a lie.
32. Their announcement was a hammer blow to his psyche.
33. Joseph’s permanent loss was deeply embedded in his soul and so he initially refused to believe such a preposterous tale.
34. "He did not believe them" is understandable considering all he had put himself through.
35. It took some recitation of events in Egypt on the part of the brothers to move him away from his long held belief (v. 27a).
36. The clincher was those Egyptian wagons (v. 27b).
37. The change of clothing, Benjamin’s three hundred pieces of silver and all the rest did not do it for Jacob.
38. For him the wagons were irrefutable proof that the brothers were not cruelly messing with him.
39. It was both the extended speechifying of his sons (including Benjamin) along with those Egyptian wagons that brought Jacob to receive this extraordinary news.
40. It was in that encounter that the 10 brothers indirectly told their father the truth of Joseph’s loss.
41. The narrator tells us that "the spirit of Jacob…revived."
42. The closest parallels to this are Ps. 69:32 and Isa. 57:15.
43. This snapped him out of the spiritual funk that had dogged him for 22 years.
44. The translation "It is enough" is represented by one word in the Hebrew—the adjective rabh which means ‘great."
45. It is probably more like our "fantastic!"
46. A monstrous burden was lifted off him.
47. He had hoped for the safe return of Benjamin and Simeon but he got far more than he could have ever imagined.
48. Jacob’s final comment brings fitting conclusion to this epic episode in the Joseph story.
49. Jacob, like his father before him, is obsessed with the certainty that he will die soon.
50. His declaration "My son Joseph is still living" must have been exhilarating for this old man.
51. Jacob’s obsession with near term death still stays with him but there is one more thing he must do before he migrates to Egypt and is reunited with his beloved son under circumstances that only a living God could engineer.