King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They told him, "Yosef is still alive! He is ruler over the whole land of Egypt!" He was stunned at the news; he couldn't believe them.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.
American Standard Version:
And 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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And told{H5046} him, saying{H559}, Joseph{H3130} is yet alive{H2416}, and he is governor{H4910} over all the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}. And Jacob's heart{H3820} fainted{H6313}, for he believed{H539} them not.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 37:35
- And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
Genesis 44:28
- And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
Job 9:16
- If I had called, and he had answered me; [yet] would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
Luke 24:11
- And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
Genesis 42:38
- And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Genesis 42:36
- And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved [of my children]: Joseph [is] not, and Simeon [is] not, and ye will take Benjamin [away]: all these things are against me.
Genesis 45:8
- So 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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 45:26
**Themes:**
1. **Revelation and Hope:** The message that Joseph is alive and has risen to a position of power is a turning point in the narrative, shifting the tone from despair to one of hope and reunion.
2. **Faith and Disbelief:** Jacob's initial reaction of disbelief reflects the struggle to accept unexpected good news after years of grief and loss, highlighting the theme of faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances.
3. **God's Providence:** The verse underscores the theme of divine providence, as Joseph's rise to power in Egypt is revealed to be part of a larger plan that will ultimately save his family from famine.
**Historical Context:**
Genesis 45:26 is set within the broader context of the Joseph narrative, which takes place during the patriarchal age, traditionally dated around the early second millennium BCE. At this point in the story, Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, has been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and has risen from slavery to become the second-in-command in Egypt due to his ability to interpret dreams and his wise administration.
The verse occurs after Joseph has revealed his identity to his brothers, who had come to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. Joseph, recognizing them, devises a plan to bring his entire family to Egypt to survive the famine. He instructs his brothers to return to Canaan and bring their father, Jacob, and the rest of the family to Egypt.
Jacob, who had mourned Joseph's supposed death for many years, is confronted with the astonishing news that not only is Joseph alive but he also holds a high position in Egypt. The shock of this revelation causes Jacob's heart to "faint," a phrase suggesting emotional overwhelm and skepticism. This sets the stage for the family's eventual migration to Egypt, which will have significant implications for the Israelites' future as a nation in the biblical narrative.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5046
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַד
Transliteration: nâgad
Pronunciation: naw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H4910
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָשַׁל
Transliteration: mâshal
Pronunciation: maw-shal'
Description: a primitive root; to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - 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. - Strong's Number: H3820
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵב
Transliteration: lêb
Pronunciation: labe
Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. - Strong's Number: H6313
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פּוּג
Transliteration: pûwg
Pronunciation: poog
Description: a primitive root; to be sluggish; cease, be feeble, faint, be slacked. - Strong's Number: H539
There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַן
Transliteration: ʼâman
Pronunciation: aw-man'
Description: a primitive root; (Isaiah 30:21; interchangeable with אָמַן, to go to the right hand); properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, [phrase] fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right.