Genesis 45:5

KJV

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore be not grieved {H6087}, nor angry {H2734} with yourselves {H5869}, that ye sold {H4376} me hither: for God {H430} did send {H7971} me before you {H6440} to preserve life {H4241}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But don't be sad that you sold me into slavery here or angry at yourselves, because it was God who sent me ahead of you to preserve life.

Berean Standard Bible

And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

American Standard Version

And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Commentary on Genesis 45:5") stands as a profound declaration of divine providence and radical forgiveness, spoken by Joseph to his brothers in Egypt. At the climax of their emotional reunion, Joseph reassures his terrified siblings that their past betrayal, which led to his enslavement, was not merely a human evil but was orchestrated by God with a benevolent purpose: to preserve life.

### CONTEXT
After years of separation, suffering, and an incredible ascent to power as Egypt's governor, Joseph's brothers arrive in Egypt seeking food during a severe famine in Canaan. Unrecognized by them, Joseph orchestrates a series of tests, bringing his brothers to a point of deep remorse and fear for their past cruelty, particularly their act of selling him into slavery for twenty pieces of silver, as detailed in [Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Read about Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers in Genesis 37:28"). In this pivotal moment, Joseph finally reveals his identity, and immediately moves to alleviate their terror, shifting the narrative from past betrayal and impending retribution to divine purpose and the promise of reconciliation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Analysis of Genesis 45:5") captures Joseph's remarkable response to his brothers' guilt and fear, pivoting their perspective from human malice to divine design. His words are carefully chosen to address their immediate distress while revealing a deeper theological truth.

* **"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither:"** Joseph's opening words are an immediate pastoral act, designed to soothe his brothers' acute guilt and dread. He understands their fear of retribution and preemptively offers comfort and absolution. This demonstrates a profound empathy and a desire for reconciliation, prioritizing their emotional well-being over any lingering bitterness or desire for vengeance. His command to "be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves" directly confronts their self-condemnation, preparing them to receive a higher truth.
* **"for God did send me before you to preserve life."** This is the theological lynchpin of the verse, transforming a human act of evil into an instrument of divine purpose. Joseph does not deny their culpability in selling him, but he reinterprets the event through the lens of God's sovereignty. **"God did send me"**: The Hebrew verb used here is _shalach_ (שָׁלַח), meaning 'to send,' 'to dispatch,' or 'to stretch out.' Joseph's emphatic statement, "God _did send_ me," underscores God's active, deliberate, and sovereign initiative in his journey to Egypt. This is not merely God permitting an event, but actively orchestrating it. Joseph sees himself not as a victim of his brothers' malice, but as an agent of divine will. **"before you"**: This phrase highlights the intentionality of God's plan, positioning Joseph ahead of his family to prepare for their arrival and salvation. **"to preserve life"**: This states God's ultimate benevolent motivation. This preservation refers primarily to the physical survival of Jacob's family—the nascent nation of Israel—during the severe famine. However, it also extends to the broader population of Egypt and the surrounding regions, who were saved through Joseph's divinely-inspired wisdom and foresight in managing the famine. This act of preservation is crucial for the unfolding of God's covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring the continuation of the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency:** [Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Theology of Divine Sovereignty in Genesis") powerfully illustrates God's ability to work through human choices, even sinful ones, to accomplish His ultimate, benevolent purposes. Joseph's statement does not negate his brothers' responsibility or sin, but rather elevates God's overarching control, demonstrating that His plans cannot be thwarted by human evil.
* **Redemptive Providence:** This verse is a foundational text for understanding redemptive providence, where God actively turns what was intended for evil into good. This theme is explicitly reiterated by Joseph later in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's declaration of God's good purpose in Genesis 50:20"): "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
* **The Nature of Forgiveness:** Joseph's immediate and unconditional forgiveness, rooted in his understanding of God's sovereign plan, sets a remarkable precedent. It demonstrates that true forgiveness looks beyond the offense to God's larger purposes, freeing both the offended and the offender from the bondage of past wrongs.
* **Covenantal Faithfulness:** God's preservation of Joseph and his family through the famine underscores His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The survival of Jacob's household was essential for the growth of the twelve tribes and the eventual fulfillment of the promise of a great nation and the coming of the Messiah.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Practical Application of Genesis 45:5") offers profound comfort and guidance for believers navigating suffering and betrayal today. It challenges us to adopt Joseph's perspective, looking beyond immediate circumstances and human failings to discern the sovereign hand of God at work, even in the most painful experiences. This verse encourages us to trust that God can redeem any hardship for His glory and our ultimate good, fostering a spirit of forgiveness towards those who have wronged us, as our grievances are often part of a larger divine tapestry. This profound truth resonates with the New Testament assurance that [all things work together for good to them that love God](/romans/8-28 "Explore Romans 8:28 about God working all things for good"), to them who are the called according to His purpose.

### FAQ
**How can God "send" Joseph through the evil actions of his brothers?**

Answer: Joseph's statement does not absolve his brothers of their sin, but rather expresses God's ability to supervene upon human actions, even sinful ones, to accomplish His divine will. God's sovereignty means He can use any means, including human choices, to bring about His purposes without condoning or causing the sin itself. The brothers were fully responsible for their evil intent, but God, in His infinite wisdom, integrated their actions into His perfect plan for the preservation of His chosen people.

**What is the significance of Joseph's immediate act of forgiveness?**

Answer: Joseph's immediate forgiveness, even before his brothers could fully express remorse or ask for it, is remarkable. It stems from his deep understanding of God's providence; once he recognized God's hand in his suffering, he was freed from bitterness and the desire for vengeance. This act highlights that true forgiveness is not contingent on the offender's repentance but can be a proactive choice rooted in a higher spiritual perspective, paving the way for genuine reconciliation and healing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Christ-Centered Fulfillment of Genesis 45:5") profoundly foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as Joseph was "sent" by God through the betrayal of his brothers to preserve physical life for Israel, so too was Christ "sent" by the Father (John 3:16) through the ultimate betrayal and evil act of crucifixion. This human sin, which appeared to be a defeat, was God's sovereign means to preserve spiritual life for all humanity. Christ, like Joseph, did not retaliate but offered forgiveness from the cross ("Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," [Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Jesus' prayer for forgiveness on the cross in Luke 23:34")). His suffering, orchestrated by God, turned evil into the greatest good, securing salvation and eternal life for those who believe, thus fulfilling the ultimate purpose of divine preservation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.

Acts 2:23

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Acts 2:24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Genesis 45:7

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

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.

Acts 7:9

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,