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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 45:1–15. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Judah and his brethren were waiting for an answer, and could not but be amazed to discover, instead of the gravity of a judge, the natural affection of a father or brother.
I.Joseph ordered all his attendants to withdraw, Gen 45:1.
The private conversations of friends are the most free. When Joseph would put on love he puts off state, and it was not fit his servants should be witnesses of this. Thus Christ graciously manifests himself and his loving-kindness to his people, out of the sight and hearing of the world.
II.Tears were the preface or introduction to his discourse, Gen 45:2.
He had dammed up this stream a great while, and with much ado: but now it swelled so high that he could no longer contain, but he wept aloud, so that those whom he had forbidden to see him could not but hear him. These were tears of tenderness and strong affection, and with these he threw off that austerity with which he had hitherto carried himself towards his brethren; for he could bear it no longer. This represents the divine compassion towards returning penitents, as much as that of the father of the prodigal, Luk 15:20; Hos 14:8, Hos 14:9.
III.He very abruptly (as one uneasy till it was out) tells them who he was:
I am Joseph. They knew him only by his Egyptian name, Zaphnath-paaneah, his Hebrew name being lost and forgotten in Egypt; but now he teaches them to call him by that: I am Joseph; nay, that they might not suspect it was another of the same name, he explains himself (Gen 45:4): I am Joseph, your brother. This would both humble them yet more for their sin in selling him, and would encourage them to hope for kind treatment. Thus when Christ would convince Paul he said, I am Jesus; and when he would comfort his disciples he said, It is I, be not afraid. This word, at first, startled Joseph's brethren; they started back through fear, or at least stood still astonished; but Joseph called kindly and familiarly to them: Come near, I pray you. Thus when Christ manifests himself to his people he encourages them to draw near to him with a true heart. Perhaps, being about to speak of their selling him, he would not speak aloud, lest the Egyptians should overhear, and it should make the Hebrews to be yet more an abomination to them; therefore he would have them come near, that he might whisper with them, which, now that the tide of his passion was a little over, he was able to do, whereas at first he could not but cry out.
IV.He endeavours to assuage their grief for the injuries they had done him, by showing them that whatever they designed God meant it for good, and had brought much good out of it (Gen 45:5): Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves. Sinners must grieve, and be angry with themselves, for their sins; yea, though God by his power brings good out of them, for no thanks are due to the sinner for this: but true penitents should be greatly affected when they see God thus bringing good out of evil, meat out of the eater. Though we must not with this consideration extenuate our own sins and so take off the edge of our repentance, yet it may be well thus to extenuate the sins of others and so take off the edge of our angry resentments. Thus Joseph does here; his brethren needed not to fear that he would avenge upon them an injury which God's providence had made to turn so much to his advantage and that of his family. Now he tells them how long the famine was likely to last - five years; yet (Gen 45:6) what a capacity he was in of being kind to his relations and friends, which is the greatest satisfaction that wealth and power can give to a good man, Gen 45:8. See what a favourable colour he puts upon the injury they had done him: God sent me before you, Gen 45:5, Gen 45:7. Note,
1.God's Israel is the particular care of God's providence. Joseph reckoned that his advancement was not so much designed to save a whole kingdom of Egyptians as to preserve a small family of Israelites: for the Lord's portion is his people; whatever becomes of theirs, they shall be secured.
2.Providence looks a great way forward, and has a long reach. Even long before the years of plenty, Providence was preparing for the supply of Jacob's house in the years of famine. The psalmist praises God for this (Psa 105:17): He sent a man before them, even Joseph. God sees his work from the beginning to the end, but we do not, Ecc 3:11. How admirable are the projects of providence! How remote its tendencies! What wheels are there within wheels, and yet all directed by the eyes in the wheels, and the spirit of the living creature! Let us therefore judge nothing before the time.
3.God often works by contraries. The envy and contention of brethren threaten the ruin of families, yet, in this instance, they prove the occasion of preserving Jacob's family. Joseph could never have been the shepherd and stone of Israel if his brethren had not shot at him, and hated him; even those that had wickedly sold Joseph into Egypt yet themselves reaped the benefit of the good God brought out of it; as those that put Christ to death were many of them saved by his death.
4.God must have all the glory of the seasonable preservations of his people, by what way soever they are effected. It was not you that sent me hither, but God, Gen 45:8. As, on the one hand, they must not fret at it, because it ended so well, so on the other hand they must not be proud of it, because it was God's doing, and not theirs. They designed, by selling him into Egypt, to defeat his dreams, but God thereby designed to accomplish them. Isa 10:7, Howbeit he meaneth not so.
V.He promises to take care of his father and all the family during the rest of the years of famine.
1.He desires that his father may speedily be made glad with the tidings of his life and dignity. His brethren must hasten to Canaan, and must inform Jacob that his son Joseph was lord of all Egypt; (Gen 45:9): they must tell him of all his glory there, Gen 45:13. He knew it would be a refreshing oil to his hoary head and a sovereign cordial to his spirits. If any thing would make him young again, this would. He desires them to give themselves, and take with them to their father, all possible satisfaction of the truth of these surprising tidings: Your eyes see that it is my mouth, Gen 45:12. If they would recollect themselves, they might remember something of his features, speech, etc., and be satisfied.
2.He is very earnest that his father and all his family should come to him to Egypt: Come down unto me, tarry not, Gen 45:9. He allots his dwelling in Goshen, that part of Egypt which lay towards Canaan, that they might be mindful of the country from which they were to come out, Gen 45:10. He promises to provide for him: I will nourish thee, Gen 45:11. Note, It is the duty of children, if the necessity of their parents do at any time require it, to support and supply them to the utmost of their ability; and Corban will never excuse them, Mar 7:11. This is showing piety at home, Ti1 5:4. Our Lord Jesus being, like Joseph, exalted to the highest honours and powers of the upper world, it is his will that all that are his should be with him where he is, Joh 17:24. This is his commandment, that we be with him now in faith and hope, and a heavenly conversation; and this is his promise, that we shall be for ever with him.
VI.Endearments were interchanged between him and his brethren.
He began with the youngest, his own brother Benjamin, who was but about a year old when Joseph was separated from his brethren; they wept on each other's neck (Gen 45:14), perhaps to think of their mother Rachel, who died in travail of Benjamin. Rachel, in her husband, Jacob, had been lately weeping for her children, because, in his apprehension, they were not - Joseph gone, and Benjamin going; and now they were weeping for her, because she was not. After he had embraced Benjamin, he, in like manner, caressed them all (Gen 45:15); and then his brethren talked with him freely and familiarly of all the affairs of their father's house. After the tokens of true reconciliation follow the instances of a sweet communion.
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Summary
Genesis 45:11 records Joseph's urgent and compassionate invitation to his father Jacob and his entire household to relocate to Egypt. Recognizing the severe and ongoing famine, Joseph pledges comprehensive sustenance and protection for the remaining five years, thereby preventing their descent into destitution and ensuring the preservation of God's chosen lineage through a meticulously orchestrated divine plan.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is spoken at the emotional climax of the Joseph narrative, immediately following Joseph's dramatic revelation of his identity to his astonished and guilt-ridden brothers in Genesis 45:1-8. Having overcome years of separation, betrayal, and profound personal suffering, Joseph demonstrates remarkable forgiveness and foresight. His immediate concern shifts from testing his brothers to securing the well-being of his aged father, Jacob, and the entire family. The invitation to come to Egypt, specifically to the fertile land of Goshen, is presented not merely as an offer but as an urgent directive born of necessity and divine purpose, setting the stage for the family's migration and their subsequent growth into a nation within Egypt. This moment of reconciliation and provision is a pivotal turning point, directly linking Joseph's past suffering to God's overarching plan for the preservation of Israel.
Historical & Cultural Context
The ancient Near East, particularly the region of Canaan, was highly susceptible to periods of severe drought and famine, making the storage of grain a critical survival strategy. Egypt, with its predictable Nile River floods, was often the granary of the ancient world, uniquely positioned to withstand such calamities if properly managed. Joseph's rise to power as vizier (Genesis 41:39-43) enabled him to implement a massive grain storage program, divinely inspired, which saved Egypt and surrounding nations from starvation. The concept of a "seven-year famine" was a catastrophic event that would have decimated populations and led to widespread poverty and death. Joseph's invitation to Goshen, a fertile pasturage in the Nile Delta, was strategic, providing not only food but also suitable land for a pastoral people like Jacob's family, while also geographically separating them from the main Egyptian populace, which was crucial for maintaining their distinct cultural and religious identity.
Key Themes
Genesis 45:11 powerfully encapsulates several major themes woven throughout the Joseph narrative and the broader book of Genesis. Foremost is Divine Providence, demonstrating God's meticulous orchestration of human events, even suffering and betrayal, to fulfill His covenant promises (Genesis 50:20). Joseph's elevation in Egypt was not coincidental but divinely purposed to preserve the covenant lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3). Another key theme is Reconciliation and Forgiveness, as Joseph, despite profound personal wrongs, extends grace and provision to his family, paving the way for the reunification of Jacob's fractured household. Finally, the verse highlights God's Faithfulness and Provision, showcasing His unwavering commitment to sustain His people through hardship, ensuring their survival and growth into the nation of Israel, laying the groundwork for the Exodus narrative found in the book of Exodus.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root properly means "to keep in," and by extension, "to measure," and figuratively, "to maintain." It encompasses a wide range of meanings including to "abide," "bear," "comprehend," "contain," "feed," "forbearing," "guide," "hold(-ing in)," "nourish(-er)," "be present," "make provision," "receive," and "sustain." In Genesis 45:11, Joseph's promise to "nourish" signifies a comprehensive and ongoing provision of all necessities—food, shelter, resources, and security—for his entire family, extending beyond mere sustenance to full support and maintenance.
This term denotes "hunger (more or less extensive)," "dearth," or "famished." It describes a severe scarcity of food leading to widespread hunger and potential starvation. The mention of "five years of famine" underscores the dire and prolonged nature of the crisis facing Canaan, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of Joseph's intervention and the scope of the provision required.
This primitive root means "to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place)," or by implication, "to seize," "to rob," "to inherit." In this context, it takes on the meaning "to impoverish" or "to ruin," specifically referring to being dispossessed of one's possessions, becoming destitute, or impoverished. Joseph's warning, "lest thou... come to poverty," highlights the extreme economic threat and the complete loss of assets, including livestock and wealth, that the famine would inflict without his intervention.
Verse Breakdown
"And there will I nourish thee"
This clause reveals Joseph's direct and personal commitment to his family's welfare. The verb "nourish" (Hebrew kûwl) implies a comprehensive and continuous provision of all their needs—food, shelter, and security—not just for Jacob but for his entire household. It speaks to Joseph's authority and capacity as the vizier of Egypt, divinely enabled to provide for his own.
"for yet [there are] five years of famine"
This phrase explains the critical urgency and the prolonged nature of the crisis. Joseph, having accurately interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and implemented the grain storage plan, knows precisely the duration of the famine. Two years have passed, leaving five more years of severe scarcity, underscoring the absolute necessity of their relocation to Egypt for survival.
"lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty"
This final clause articulates the dire consequence Joseph seeks to avert. The scope of "thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast" emphasizes that the famine threatened not just individuals but the entire family unit, their servants, and all their possessions, including their valuable livestock. "Come to poverty" (Hebrew yârash) signifies utter destitution, being dispossessed of all assets, and facing ruin. Joseph's intervention is thus presented as a life-saving act, preserving the family's heritage and future.
Literary Devices
Genesis 45:11 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and theological depth. Foreshadowing is evident, as Joseph's role as a savior from famine for his family foreshadows a greater, spiritual salvation. The entire narrative of Joseph's suffering and subsequent exalt serves as a grand Type or Typology for the redemptive work of Christ. There is also a profound sense of Dramatic Irony throughout the Joseph narrative, culminating here: the brothers who intended to destroy Joseph's future inadvertently set in motion the very events that would lead to their own preservation through him. Joseph's words here also carry a strong element of Divine Providence, not explicitly stated as a device, but as the overarching narrative force that undergirds Joseph's actions. His ability to "nourish" and prevent "poverty" is not merely human ingenuity but the direct result of God's sovereign hand guiding his life and position.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 45:11 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous providence, even amidst human brokenness and natural disaster. It demonstrates that God orchestrates complex human circumstances—including suffering, betrayal, and famine—to fulfill His divine purposes and preserve His covenant people. Joseph's position as a provider, born out of his own trials, underscores the biblical truth that God often uses unexpected means and difficult paths to bring about His ultimate good. This verse illustrates God's commitment to sustain His chosen lineage, ensuring their survival and growth into a nation, thereby safeguarding the promise of a future Messiah. It highlights the divine wisdom that prepares for future needs long before they arise, showcasing God's comprehensive care for those He has called.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 45:11 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, inviting us to trust deeply in God's sovereign provision and to emulate Joseph's compassionate stewardship. In a world often marked by uncertainty, scarcity, and hardship, this passage reminds us that God is actively at work, orchestrating even the most challenging circumstances for His ultimate good and our preservation. Just as Joseph, through God's empowerment, provided comprehensive sustenance and refuge for his family, so too does God promise to supply all our needs, both physical and spiritual, according to His glorious riches. This should inspire us to cultivate a spirit of unwavering faith, knowing that our heavenly Father is faithful to His promises. Furthermore, Joseph's diligent care for his family, despite their past wrongs, serves as a powerful model for our own responsibility towards our households, communities, and those in need. When we are blessed with resources, influence, or opportunity, we are called to use them compassionately to help others, especially the vulnerable, preventing destitution and promoting well-being, reflecting God's own heart of generosity and care.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joseph specifically invite his family to Goshen?
Goshen was chosen for several strategic reasons. It was renowned as the most fertile region in Egypt, particularly suitable for pasturage, which was crucial for Jacob's family who were shepherds and had extensive livestock. Furthermore, Goshen was geographically distinct from the main Egyptian population centers, allowing Jacob's family to maintain their cultural identity, religious practices, and avoid assimilation into Egyptian society. This separation was vital for the preservation of the covenant lineage and their distinct identity as God's chosen people, as described later in Genesis 46:34.
What was the duration of the famine, and how much remained when Joseph invited his family?
The famine was prophesied by Joseph to last seven years, following seven years of abundance (Genesis 41:29-30). When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and invited his family to Egypt, two years of the famine had already passed. Therefore, as explicitly stated in Genesis 45:11, "yet there are five years of famine" remaining.
Does Joseph's act of "nourishing" his family imply a complete dependence on Egypt?
While Joseph's provision certainly created a period of dependence for Jacob's family, the term "nourish" (Hebrew kûwl) implies comprehensive care and sustenance, not necessarily a loss of autonomy or dignity. It was a strategic act of preservation during a severe crisis, divinely purposed to allow the family of Israel to survive and grow into a numerous nation within a protected environment. This temporary dependence was essential for their survival and future flourishing, ultimately fulfilling God's covenant promises before their eventual exodus from Egypt.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Joseph, in Genesis 45:11, stands as a profound and compelling type of Christ. Just as Joseph, once rejected and sold into slavery by his own brothers, rose to a position of ultimate authority and became the savior of his family and countless others from physical famine, so too did Christ, rejected by His own people and crucified, rise to the ultimate position of authority at the right hand of God (Philippians 2:9-11). Joseph's provision of physical sustenance and refuge in Egypt powerfully prefigures Christ's provision of eternal life and spiritual sustenance for all humanity. He invites us, who are spiritually destitute and facing the famine of sin and death, to come to Him for complete nourishment, reconciliation with God, and refuge from divine judgment (John 6:35). Through His atoning work on the cross, Christ ensures that all who believe in Him will never "come to poverty" but will inherit eternal riches and an abundant life (John 10:10), fulfilling God's ultimate plan for salvation and restoration.