Genesis 45:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yosef said to his brothers, "Please! Come closer." And they came closer. He said, "I am Yosef, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!

American Standard Version:

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Joseph^{H3130} said^{H559} unto his brethren^{H251}, Come near^{H5066} to me, I pray you. And they came near^{H5066}. And he said^{H559}, I am Joseph^{H3130} your brother^{H251}, whom ye sold^{H4376} into Egypt^{H4714}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 45:4

Genesis 45:4 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. The verse is part of a larger story set in the patriarchal period, around the 17th century BCE, during a time when famine struck Canaan and the surrounding regions.

**Themes:**
1. **Forgiveness and Reconciliation:** Joseph's revelation of his identity to his brothers is a powerful moment of forgiveness. Despite their betrayal, Joseph does not seek revenge but instead reconciles with them.
2. **Divine Providence:** The narrative suggests that God's plan is being fulfilled through Joseph's trials and elevation to power in Egypt. Joseph acknowledges that his suffering was part of a larger divine purpose that led to the preservation of his family.
3. **Family Loyalty and Identity:** Joseph's emotional disclosure emphasizes the enduring bonds of family, despite the brothers' past actions. His identity as their brother is reaffirmed, superseding his role as the Egyptian vizier.
4. **Redemption and Hope:** The verse conveys a message of hope and redemption, as Joseph's rise to power enables him to save his family from famine, thus ensuring the survival of the Israelite lineage.

**Historical Context:**
The story of Joseph is set against the backdrop of ancient Near Eastern society, where sibling rivalry, slavery, and dramatic shifts in fortune were common. Egypt's role as a regional power with a highly organized bureaucracy and granaries capable of sustaining populations during famine is historically accurate for the era. Joseph's position as a high-ranking official in Egypt would have been a plausible outcome for a skilled and gifted individual like him, as Egypt was known to employ foreigners in its administration.

In summary, Genesis 45:4 captures the culmination of Joseph's journey from betrayed brother to powerful Egyptian official, highlighting themes of forgiveness, divine providence, family loyalty, and redemption, all set within the historical context of the ancient Near East during the second millennium BCE.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5066
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַשׁ
   Transliteration: nâgash
   Pronunciation: naw-gash'
   Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4376
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָכַר
   Transliteration: mâkar
   Pronunciation: maw-kar'
   Description: a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender); [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self).
   
6. 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.