Genesis 45:2-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:1-2

Then (literally, and) Joseph could not refrain himself ( i.e. keep himself from giving way to the impulses of love) before all them that stood by him ( i.e. the Egyptian officials of his household); and he cried (or made proclamation, issued an instruction), Cause every man to go out from me . And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. It was true delicacy on the part of Joseph which prompted the discovery of himself to his brethren in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:1-15

Joseph's discovery of himself to his brethren. I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT . " I am Joseph, whom ye sold into Egypt." 1. How it was made . 2. How it was received . II. THE COMMISSION . 1. To carry an invitation . "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, and tarry not." 2. To deliver a promise . "And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen," and "there will I nourish... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:1-15

Darkness turned into light. Joseph's revelation of himself to his brethren in the atmosphere of the purest brotherly affection and grateful acknowledgment of Divine goodness. Only small natures are ashamed of tears. At first the men who had a great sin upon their consciences were only troubled at the presence of their injured brother, but soon the free and full manifestation of his love turns all their fears into rejoicing. Joseph wept for joy at their return to him, and they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:3

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph. The effect of this announcement can be better imagined than described. Hitherto he had been known to his brethren as Zaphnath-paaneah. Now the voice and the appearance of their long-lost brother would rush upon their minds at the first sound of the familiar name, and fill them with apprehension. Probably Joseph's discernment of this in their countenances was the reason why he asked so abruptly after Jacob. Doth my father yet live ? It is not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:3

The great announcement. Not a stranger, but a brother. Yet they were slow to receive comfort from it. The fact beyond all expectation; the suspicion of the unknown ruler attaching itself to the newly-found brother; the remembrance of their own former cruelty; the doubt whether indeed the past were forgiven, combined to make them "troubled at his presence." Akin to this is the slowness with which the great revelation of the gospel is received, our adoption as sons ( Galatians 4:5 )... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:4-13

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. It is probable they had instinctively shrunk from his presence on learning the astounding fact that he was Joseph, but felt reassured by the kindly tone of Joseph's words. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt . It was impossible to evade allusion to their early wickedness, and this Joseph does in a spirit not of angry upbraiding, but of elevated piety and tender charity. Now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:5

Providence. "Now therefore be not grieved," &c.; I. THE END IS GOODNESS AND MERCY . 1. To preserve life. 2. To set the seed of the better society in the midst of the corruptions and imperfections of the old. 3. To prepare the way for the higher revelations of the future. II. GOD 'S METHOD OF INSTRUMENTALITIES HIS GLORY . 1. The history of his people, their persecutions, their apparent humiliations, their marvelous victories. 2. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 45:1-28

- Joseph Made Himself Known to His Brethren10. גשׁן gôshen, Goshen, Gesem (Arabias related perhaps to גשׁם geshem “rain, shower”), a region on the borders of Egypt and Arabia, near the gulf of Suez.The appeal of Judah is to Joseph irresistible. The repentance of his brothers, and their attachment to Benjamin, have been demonstrated in the most satisfactory manner. This is all that Joseph sought. It is evident, throughout the whole narrative, that he never aimed at exercising any supremacy over... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 45:2

Genesis 45:2. He wept aloud His tears and his voice, which had hitherto been repressed by main force, now burst forth with the greater violence, and he threw off that austerity with which he had hitherto carried himself, for he could bear it no longer. This represents the divine compassion toward returning penitents, illustrated by that of the father of the prodigal, Luke 15:20; Hosea 11:8-9. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 45:3

Genesis 45:3. I am Joseph Doubtless he had all along been addressed and spoken of by his Egyptian name, Zaphnath-paaneah, or by his titles of office: so that, although in the narrative he is named Joseph, it is probable his brethren had never heard him called by that name by any person in Egypt. Doth my father yet live? A most natural inquiry this, after he had informed them who he was, and evidently suggested by his love to his father, respecting whose welfare he was anxious to have... read more

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