Joseph Reveals Himself
Genesis 45
Joseph, overcome with emotion, sends the Egyptians away and reveals to his brothers that he is Joseph, telling them not to be grieved since God sent him ahead to preserve life during the famine. Pharao rejoices at the news and sends wagons and provisions so that Jacob and the whole family may come down to Egypt, and when Jacob hears that Joseph is alive he resolves to go and see him before he dies.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonUPON this Joseph could not restrain himself before all his attendants, but said, Dismiss all from me. So there was no attendant with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers,
BrentonAnd Joseph could not refrain himself when all were standing by him, but said, Dismiss all from me; and no one stood near Joseph, when he made himself known to his brethren.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο Ἰωσὴφ ἀνέχεσθαι πάντων τῶν παρεστηκότων αὐτῷ, ἀλλʼ εἶπεν, ἐξαποστείλατε πάντας ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ· καὶ οὐ παρειστήκει οὐδεὶς τῷ Ἰωσὴφ, ἡνίκα ἀνεγνωρίζετο τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ.
KJVThen Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
JPSThen Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried: ‘Cause every man to go out from me.’ And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
2
Thomsonbut in weeping he raised his voice so that all the Egyptians heard and the news was carried to Pharao’s house.
BrentonAnd he uttered his voice with weeping; and all the Egyptians heard, and it was reported to the house of Pharao.
GreekΚαὶ ἀφῆκε φωνὴν μετὰ κλαυθμοῦ· ἤκουσαν δὲ πάντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι, καὶ ἀκουστὸν ἐγένετο εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φαραώ.
KJVAnd he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
JPSAnd he wept aloud; and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
3
ThomsonAnd Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? But his brothers could not answer him; for they were confounded.
BrentonAnd Joseph said to his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him, for they were troubled.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἰωσὴφ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰωσήφ· ἔτι ὁ πατήρ μου ζῇ; καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἀποκριθῆναι αὐτῷ· ἐταράχθησαν γάρ.
KJVAnd Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
JPSAnd Joseph said unto his brethren: ‘I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?’ And his brethren could not answer him; for they were affrighted at his presence.
4
ThomsonThen Joseph said to his brothers, Come near to me? And when they came near; he said, I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt.
BrentonAnd Joseph said to his brethren, Draw nigh to me; and they drew nigh; and he said, I am your brother Joseph, whom ye sold into Egypt.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἰωσὴφ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, ἐγγίσατε πρὸς μέ· καὶ ἤγγισαν· καὶ εἶπεν, ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν, ὃν ἀπέδοσθε εἰς Αἴγυπτον.
KJVAnd Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
JPSAnd Joseph said unto his brethren: ‘Come near to me, I pray you.’ And they came near. And he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
5
ThomsonNow therefore be not grieved, nor let it afflict you that you sold me hither; for God sent me before you for life.
BrentonNow then be not grieved, and let it not seem hard to you that ye sold me hither, for God sent me before you for life.
GreekΝῦν οὖν μὴ λυπεῖσθε, μηδὲ σκληρὸν ὑμῖν φανήτω, ὅτι ἀπέδοσθέ με ὧδε· εἰς γὰρ ζωὴν ἀπέστειλέ με ὁ Θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν.
KJVNow therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
JPSAnd now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life.
6
ThomsonFor this is but the second year of famine on the earth and there will be yet five years, in which there will be neither tillage nor harvest,
BrentonFor this second year there is famine on the earth, and there are yet five years remaining, in which there is to be neither ploughing, nor mowing.
GreekΤοῦτο γὰρ δεύτερον ἔτος λιμὸς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἔτι λοιπὰ πέντε ἔτη, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔσται ἀροτρίασις, οὐδὲ ἀμητός·
KJVFor these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
JPSFor these two years hath the famine been in the land; and there are yet five years, in which there shall be neither plowing nor harvest.
7
Thomsonso that God hath sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth and to nourish your great remnant.
BrentonFor God sent me before you, that there might be left to you a remnant upon the earth, even to nourish a great remnant of you.
GreekἈπέστειλε γάρ με ὁ Θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν, ὑπολείπεσθαι ὑμῶν κατάλειμμα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐκθρέψαι ὑμῶν κατάλειψιν μεγάλην.
KJVAnd God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
JPSAnd God sent me before you to give you a remnant on the earth, and to save you alive for a great deliverance.
8
ThomsonNow therefore it was not you who sent me hither, but it was God. And he hath made me like a father to Pharao, and lord of all his house and governor of all the land of Egypt.
BrentonNow then ye did not send me hither, but God; and he hath made me as a father of Pharao, and lord of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt.
GreekΝῦν οὖν οὐχ ὑμεῖς με ἀπεστάλκατε ὧδε, ἀλλὰ ὁ Θεός· καὶ ἐποίησέ με ὡς πατέρα Φαραὼ, καὶ κύριον παντὸς τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἄρχοντα πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου.
KJVSo now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
JPSSo now it was not you that sent me hither, but God; and He hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
9
ThomsonHaste therefore and go up to my father and say to him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me ruler of all the land of Egypt. Come down therefore to me and tarry not.
BrentonHasten, therefore, and go up to my father, and say to him, These things saith thy son Joseph; God has made me lord of all the land of Egypt; come down therefore to me, and tarry not.
GreekΣπεύσαντες οὖν ἀνάβητε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ εἴπατε αὐτῷ, τάδε λέγει ὁ υἱός σου Ἰωσήφ· ἐποίησέ με ὁ Θεὸς κύριον πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου· κατάβηθι οὖν πρός με, καὶ μὴ μείνῃς·
KJVHaste 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:
JPSHasten 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.
10
ThomsonAnd thou shalt dwelt in the land of Gesem-Arabia and be near me; both thou and thy sons and thy grandsons, thy flocks and thy herds and all that thou hast.
BrentonAnd thou shalt dwell in the land of Gesem of Arabia; and thou shalt be near me, thou and thy sons, and thy sons' sons, thy sheep and thine oxen, and whatsoever things are thine.
GreekΚαὶ κατοικήσεις ἐν γῇ Γεσὲμ Ἀραβίας· καὶ ἔσῃ ἐγγύς μου σὺ, καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν υἱῶν σου, τὰ πρόβατά σου, καὶ αἱ βόες σου, καὶ ὅσα σοι ἐστί.
KJVAnd thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
JPSAnd thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast;
11
ThomsonAnd I will nourish thee there (for the famine will continue five years longer) that thou and thy sons and all that belong to thee may not be consumed.
BrentonAnd I will nourish thee there: for the famine is yet for five years; lest thou be consumed, and thy sons, and all thy possessions.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκθρέψω σε ἐκεῖ· ἔτι γὰρ πέντε ἔτη λιμός· ἵνα μὴ ἐκτριβῇς σὺ, καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου, καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντά σου.
KJVAnd there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
JPSand there will I sustain thee; for there are yet five years of famine; lest thou come to poverty, thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast.
12
ThomsonBehold your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth which speaketh to you.
BrentonBehold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.
GreekἸδοὺ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὑμῶν βλέπουσι, καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ Βενιαμεὶν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου, ὅτι τὸ στόμα μου τὸ λαλοῦν πρὸς ὑμᾶς.
KJVAnd, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
JPSAnd, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
13
ThomsonTherefore tell my father all my glory in Egypt and all that you see; and make haste and bring my father down hither.
BrentonReport, therefore, to my father all my glory in Egypt, and all things that ye have seen, and make haste and bring down my father hither.
GreekἈπαγγείλατε οὖν τῷ πατρί μου πᾶσαν τὴν δόξαν μου τὴν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, καὶ ὅσα ἴδετε· καὶ ταχύναντες καταγάγετε τὸν πατέρα μου ὧδε.
KJVAnd ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
JPSAnd ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall hasten and bring down my father hither.’
14
ThomsonThen he fell upon the neck of his brother Benjamin and wept upon him. And Benjamin wept on his neck.
BrentonAnd he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept on him; and Benjamin wept on his neck.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπιπεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον Βενιαμὶν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, ἔκλαυσεν ἐπʼ αὐτῷ· καὶ Βενιαμὶν ἔκλαυσεν ἐπὶ τῷ τραχήλῳ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
JPSAnd he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
15
ThomsonAnd he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. And after that his brothers conversed with him.
BrentonAnd he kissed all his brethren, and wept on them; and after these things his brethren spoke to him.
GreekΚαὶ καταφιλήσας πάντας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, ἔκλαυσεν ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς· καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἐλάλησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν.
KJVMoreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
JPSAnd he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them; and after that his brethren talked with him.
16
ThomsonNow when the news spread to Pharao’s house saying, Joseph’s brothers are come, Pharao and his servants were rejoiced.
BrentonAnd the report was carried into the house of Pharao, saying, Joseph's brethren are come; and Pharao was glad, and his household.
GreekΚαὶ διεβοήθη ἡ φωνὴ εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φαραὼ, λέγοντες, ἥκασιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ἰωσήφ· ἐχάρη δὲ Φαραὼ καὶ ἡ θεραπεία αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
JPSAnd the report thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying: ‘Joseph’s brethren are come’; and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
17
ThomsonAnd Pharao said to Joseph, Say to thy brothers, Do this, Load your beasts and go to the land of Chanaan
BrentonAnd Pharao said to Joseph, Say to thy brethren, Do this; fill your waggons, and depart into the land of Chanaan.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Φαραὼ πρὸς Ἰωσὴφ, εἰπον τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς σου, τοῦτο ποιήσατε, γεμίσατε τὰ φορεῖα ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀπέλθετε εἰς γῆν Χαναάν.
KJVAnd Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
JPSAnd Pharaoh said unto Joseph: ‘Say unto thy brethren: This do ye: lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
18
Thomsonand take up your father and all that you have and come to me and I will give you of all the good things of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
BrentonAnd take up your father, and your possessions, and come to me; and I will give you of all the goods of Egypt, and ye shall eat the marrow of the land.
GreekΚαὶ ἀναλαβόντες τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ τὰ ὑπάρχοντα ὑμῶν, ἥκετε πρός με· καὶ δώσω ὑμῖν πάντων τῶν ἀγαθῶν Αἰγύπτου, καὶ φάγεσθε τὸν μυελὸν τῆς γῆς.
KJVAnd take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
JPSand take your father and your households, and come unto me; and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
19
ThomsonAnd do thou issue these orders, Take with you from the land of Egypt waggons for your children and your wives and take up your father and come;
BrentonAnd do thou charge them thus; that they should take for them waggons out of the land of Egypt, for your little ones, and for your wives; and take up your father, and come.
GreekΣὺ δὲ ἔντειλαι ταῦτα· λαβεῖν αὐτοῖς ἁμάξας ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου τοῖς παιδίοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ταῖς γυναιξὶν ὑμῶν· καὶ ἀναλαβόντες τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν παραγίνεσθε.
KJVNow thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
JPSNow thou art commanded, this do ye: take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
20
Thomsonand pay no regard to your furniture, for all the good things of Egypt shall be yours.
BrentonAnd be not sparing in regard to your property, for all the good of Egypt shall be yours.
GreekΚαὶ μὴ φείσησθε τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς τῶν σκευῶν ὑμῶν· τὰ γὰρ πάντα ἀγαθὰ Αἰγύπτου ὑμῖν ἔσται.
KJVAlso regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
JPSAlso regard not your stuff; for the good things of all the land of Egypt are yours.’
21
ThomsonAnd the sons of Israel did so. And Joseph gave them waggons as Pharao the king commanded. He gave them also provisions for the journey.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel did so; and Joseph gave to them waggons, according to the words spoken by king Pharao; and he gave them provision for the journey.
GreekἘποίησαν δὲ οὕτως οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ· ἔδωκε δὲ Ἰωσὴφ αὐτοῖς ἁμάξας κατὰ τὰ εἰρημένα ὑπὸ Φαραὼ τοῦ βασιλέως· καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐπισιτισμὸν εἰς τὴν ὁδόν·
KJVAnd the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
JPSAnd the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
22
ThomsonAnd to all he gave two suits of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of gold and five distinguished suits of raiment.
BrentonAnd he gave to them all two sets of raiment apiece; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of gold, and five changes of raiment.
GreekΚαὶ πᾶσιν ἔδωκε δισσὰς στολάς· τῷ δὲ Βενιαμὶν ἔδωκε τριακοσίους χρυσοὺς, καὶ πέντε ἐξαλλασσούσας στολάς.
KJVTo all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
JPSTo all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver, and five changes of raiment.
23
ThomsonAnd he sent the like presents to his father together with ten asses which carried some of all the good things of Egypt, and ten mules loaded with bread for his father on the journey.
BrentonAnd to his father he sent presents at the same rate, and ten asses, bearing some of all the good things of Egypt, and ten mules, bearing bread for his father for the journey.
GreekΚαὶ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ ἀπέστειλε κατὰ τὰ αὐτά· καὶ δέκα ὄνους, αἴροντας ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἀγαθῶν Αἰγύπτου, καὶ δέκα ἡμιόνους, αἰρούσας ἄρτους τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς ὁδόν.
KJVAnd to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
JPSAnd to his father he sent in like manner ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with corn and bread and victual for his father by the way.
24
Thomson—
BrentonAnd he sent away his brethren, and they went; and he said to them, Be not angry by the way.
GreekἘξαπέστειλε δὲ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, μὴ ὀργίζεσθε ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ.
KJVSo he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
JPSSo he sent his brethren away, and they departed; and he said unto them: ‘See that ye fall not out by the way.’
25
ThomsonSo they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Chanaan to their father Jacob
BrentonAnd they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Chanaan, to Jacob their father.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν ἐξ Αἰγυπτου, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς γῆν Χαναὰν πρὸς Ἰακὼβ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
JPSAnd they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father.
26
Thomsonand told him saying. Thy son Joseph is alive and he is the governor of all the land of Egypt. Whereupon Jacob was absorpt in thought, for he could not believe them.
BrentonAnd they reported to him, saying, Thy son Joseph is living, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt; and Jacob was amazed, for he did not believe them.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ὅτι ὁ υἱός σου Ἰωσὴφ ζῇ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἄρχει πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου· καὶ ἐξέστη τῇ διανοίᾳ Ἰακὼβ, οὐ γὰρ ἐπίστευσεν αὐτοῖς.
KJVAnd told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.
JPSAnd they told him, saying: ‘Joseph is yet alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.’ And his heart fainted, for he believed them not.
27
ThomsonBut when they told him all that Joseph had commanded them, and he saw the waggons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.
BrentonBut they spoke to him all the words uttered by Joseph, whatsoever he said to them; and having seen the chariots which Joseph sent to take him up, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.
GreekἘλάλησαν δὲ αὐτῷ πάντα τὰ ῥηθέντα ὑπὸ Ἰωσὴφ, ὅσα εἶπεν αὐτοῖς. Ἰδὼν δὲ τὰς ἁμάξας, ἃς ἀπέστειλεν Ἰωσὴφ ὥστε ἀναλαβεῖν αὐτὸν, ἀνεζωπύρησε τὸ πνεῦμα Ἰακὼβ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
JPSAnd they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them; and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.
28
ThomsonAnd Israel said, It is a great thing for me that my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him, before I die.
BrentonAnd Israel said, It is a great thing for me if Joseph my son is yet alive, I will go and see him before I die.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἰσραὴλ, μέγα μοι ἐστὶν, εἰ ἔτι Ἰωσὴφ ὁ υἱός μου ζῇ· πορευθεὶς ὄψομαι αὐτὸν πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν με.
KJVAnd Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.
JPSAnd Israel said: ‘It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive; I will go and see him before I die.’