Bible Chapter Summary
Genesis 45 Summary
Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Joseph clears the room and tearfully reveals his identity to his brothers, who are stunned and troubled at his presence. He reassures them not to be grieved for selling him into Egypt, interpreting his sufferings as God's providential plan to preserve life during the famine and to send him ahead as ruler over all Egypt. Joseph then urgently instructs his brothers to bring their father Jacob and all their households down to the land of Goshen, where he will provide for them through the remaining five years of famine; Pharaoh warmly endorses this invitation and supplies wagons and provisions for the journey. The brothers return to Canaan and tell Jacob that Joseph is alive and governor of Egypt — Jacob's heart initially faints in disbelief, but upon seeing the wagons Joseph sent, his spirit revives and he resolves to go and see his son before he dies.
Key themes
Key verses
Genesis 45:5
“Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.”
Genesis 45:7
“And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Genesis 45:9
“Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:”
Genesis 45:28
“And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.”
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