Genesis 45:1-8 KJV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:2

The Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard - It seems strange that Joseph should have wept so loud that his cries should be heard at some considerable distance, as we may suppose his dwelling was not very nigh to the palace! "But this," says Sir John Chardin, "is exactly the genius of the people of Asia - their sentiments of joy or grief are properly transports, and their transports are ungoverned, excessive, and truly outrageous. When any one returns from a long journey, or dies, his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:3

I am Joseph - Mr. Pope supposed that the discovery of Ulysses to his son Telemachus bears some resemblance to Joseph's discovery of himself to his brethren. The passage may be seen in Homer, Odyss. l. xvi., ver. 186-218. A few lines from Cowper's translation will show much of the spirit of the original, and also a considerable analogy between the two scenes: - "I am thy father, for whose sake thou lead'st A life of wo by violence oppress'd. So saying, he kiss'd his son; while from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:5

Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves - This discovers a truly noble mind: he not only forgives and forgets, but he wishes even those who had wronged him to forget the injury they had done, that they might not suffer distress on the account; and with deep piety he attributes the whole to the providence of God; for, says he, God did send me before you to preserve life. On every word here a strong emphasis may be laid. It is not you, but God; it is not you that sold me, but God who sent... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:6

There shall neither be earing nor harvest - Earing has been supposed to mean collecting the ears of corn, which would confound it with harvest: the word, however, means ploughing or seed-time, from the Anglo-Saxon erian , probably borrowed from the Latin aro , to plough, and plainly means that there should be no seed-time, and consequently no harvest; and why? Because there should be a total want of rain in other countries, and the Nile should not rise above twelve cubits in Egypt; See... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:8

He hath made me a father to Pharaoh - It has already been conjectured that father was a name of office in Egypt, and that father of Pharaoh might among them signify the same as prime minister or the king's minister does among us. Calmet has remarked that among the Phoenicians, Persians, Arabians, and Romans, the title of father was given to certain officers of state. The Roman emperors gave the name of father to the prefects of the Praetorium, as appears by the letters of Constantine to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:1

Verse 1 1.Then Joseph could not refrain himself (175) Moses relates in this chapter the manner in which Joseph made himself known to his brethren. In the first place, he declares, that Joseph had done violence to his feelings, as long as he presented to them an austere and harsh countenance. At length the strong fraternal affection, which he had suppressed during the time that he was breathing severe threatening, poured itself forth with more abundant force: whence it appears that nothing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:3

Verse 3 3.I am Joseph. Although he had given them the clearest token of his mildness and his love, yet, when he told them his name, they were terrified, as if he had thundered against them: for while they revolve in their minds what they have deserved, the power of Joseph seems so formidable to them, that they anticipate nothing for themselves but death. When, however, he sees them overcome with fear, he utters no reproach, but only labors to calm their perturbation. Nay, he continues gently to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:4

Verse 4 4.Come near to me, I pray you. This is more efficacious than any mere words, that he kindly invites them to his embrace. Yet he also tries to remove their care and fear by the most courteous language he can use. He so attempers his speech, indeed, that he mildly accuses, and again consoles them; nevertheless, the consolation greatly predominates, because he sees that they are on the point of desperation, unless he affords them timely relief. Moreover, in relating that he had been sold,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:8

Verse 8 8.So now, it was not you that sent me hither. This is a remarkable passage, in which we are taught that the right course of events is never so disturbed by the depravity and wickedness of men, but that God can direct them to a good end. We are also instructed in what manner and for what purpose we must consider the providence of God. When men of inquisitive minds dispute concerning it, they not only mingle and pervert all things without regard to the end designed, but invent every... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 45:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 45:1-2

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