Genesis 43:26-30

THE MEETING WITH JOSEPH

"And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down themselves unto him to the earth. And he asked them of their welfare, and he said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes and saw Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and said, Is this your youngest brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned over his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there."

Twice on this occasion, the brothers prostrated themselves before Joseph, thus fulfilling the dreams Joseph had dreamed such a long time ago, and which had precipitated the hatred of his brothers and their action against him in selling him into Egypt. Far from being elated over this, Joseph was deeply moved with compassion for his brothers, especially for Benjamin his uterine brother. His emotions almost overpowered him, but he retired to private quarters to weep, and after washing his face and regaining full composure, he returned to order the dinner.