Genesis 45:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He wept aloud, and the Egyptians heard, and Pharaoh's household heard.

Berean Standard Bible:

But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.

American Standard Version:

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he wept^{{H6963}{H1065}} aloud^{H5414}: and the Egyptians^{H4714} and the house^{H1004} of Pharaoh^{H6547} heard^{{H8085}{H8085}}.

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Commentary for Genesis 45:2

Genesis 45:2 is part of the narrative where Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers who had come to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. Joseph, sold into slavery by these same brothers years earlier, had risen to a position of power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. The verse captures the emotional moment when Joseph, unable to contain his feelings, weeps loudly, revealing his true identity to his brothers.

Themes:
1. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Joseph's tears signify his emotional release and his willingness to forgive his brothers for their past betrayal.
2. Divine Providence: The story illustrates the theme of God's plan working through human actions, as Joseph's suffering and rise to power ultimately position him to save his family.
3. Family Dynamics: The complex relationships within the family of Jacob (Israel) are highlighted, showing the tensions and affections that can exist among siblings.

Historical Context:
The events of Genesis 45 are set in the context of the Patriarchal narratives, which describe the early history of the Israelite people. This period is characterized by the stories of the founding fathers of Israel, namely Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's sons, including Joseph. The narrative reflects the cultural practices and political structures of the ancient Near East, where Egypt was a major power and a place where Semitic peoples like Joseph's family might seek refuge during times of hardship.

The story is also set against the backdrop of a seven-year famine, a common motif in ancient literature, reflecting the agrarian society's dependence on cycles of fertility and the ever-present threat of crop failure and starvation. Joseph's role in Pharaoh's court, interpreting dreams and administering the distribution of grain, showcases the importance of wisdom literature and administrative skills in the context of ancient Near Eastern governance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6963
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוֹל
   Transliteration: qôwl
   Pronunciation: kole
   Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1065
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּכִי
   Transliteration: Bᵉkîy
   Pronunciation: bek-ee'
   Description: from בָּכָה; a weeping; by analogy, a dripping; overflowing, [idiom] sore, (continual) weeping, wept.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4714
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
   Transliteration: Mitsrayim
   Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
   Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
6. Strong's Number: H6547
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
   Transliteration: Parʻôh
   Pronunciation: par-o'
   Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.