Genesis 45:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} sent {H7971} me before you {H6440} to preserve {H7760} you a posterity {H7611} in the earth {H776}, and to save your lives {H2421} by a great {H1419} deliverance {H6413}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God sent me ahead of you to ensure that you will have descendants on earth and to save your lives in a great deliverance.

Berean Standard Bible

God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

American Standard Version

And God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joseph's profound declaration in Genesis 45:7 unveils the divine orchestration behind his arduous journey, transforming a narrative of human betrayal into a powerful testament to God's sovereign providence. He reveals to his astonished brothers that his prior suffering and subsequent rise to power in Egypt were meticulously purposed by God to preserve their family line and ensure their survival through a devastating famine, culminating in a miraculous deliverance. This pivotal moment underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His ability to redeem even the most challenging circumstances for His ultimate good.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 45:7 stands at the emotional climax of Joseph's long-awaited reunion with his brothers. Following years of separation and Joseph's ascent to Egypt's second-in-command, his brothers have come to him, unknowingly, seeking aid during a severe famine. Joseph, having tested their character and witnessed their remorse, can no longer contain himself. His revelation of identity in [Genesis 45:3](/genesis/45-3 "Joseph Reveals Himself") is met with terror by his brothers, who fear retribution for their past sin. It is in this charged atmosphere that Joseph speaks these words of profound reassurance, reframing their past actions not as a mere human tragedy but as an integral part of God's overarching redemptive plan. This verse immediately precedes Joseph's instructions for his family to come to Egypt, setting the stage for the descent of Jacob's household into the land that would eventually become their crucible and their cradle as a nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a widespread, severe famine gripping the ancient Near East, a phenomenon that could decimate entire populations. Egypt, with its advanced agricultural systems and the foresight of Joseph's divinely inspired famine preparations, was uniquely positioned to survive and become a refuge. The cultural norms of the time would have dictated severe consequences for brothers who had sold one of their own into slavery, making Joseph's immediate forgiveness and theological interpretation all the more remarkable. The concept of a "posterity" or "remnant" was vital in ancient societies, ensuring the continuation of a family line and its heritage. For the nascent Israelite family, this was not merely about survival but about the preservation of the covenant lineage through whom God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be fulfilled, highlighting the theological significance of their physical preservation.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 45:7 is rich with several foundational themes central to the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, where God is depicted as actively orchestrating events, even human sin and suffering, to achieve His benevolent purposes. Joseph's declaration that "God sent me before you" is the clearest articulation of this in the Joseph narrative, echoing the later theological summary in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Good Purpose in Genesis 50:20"). Another crucial theme is the **Preservation of God's Covenant People**. The survival of Jacob's family, the embryonic nation of Israel, was indispensable for the continuation of God's redemptive plan and the fulfillment of the promises made to the patriarchs, particularly the promise of a great nation found in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham"). Finally, the theme of **Deliverance and Salvation** is prominent, as God provides a "great deliverance" from the famine, showcasing His faithfulness to rescue His people from desperate circumstances and foreshadowing greater acts of salvation throughout biblical history, including the [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun, H430, often translated as "God," refers to the supreme God in this context. Joseph's immediate attribution of his circumstances to "God" (ʼĕlôhîym) rather than to his brothers' actions is a pivotal theological statement. It signifies his conviction that a divine, sovereign power was at work throughout his ordeal, demonstrating God's ultimate authority and involvement in human affairs, even those marked by sin and suffering.
* **sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** The verb H7971, "sent," emphasizes a deliberate and purposeful commission. Joseph does not see himself as a victim of random misfortune or solely of his brothers' malice, but as one dispatched by God. This word highlights God's active agency and intentionality in Joseph's journey, indicating a divine mission rather than mere happenstance. It implies a pre-ordained path designed by God for a specific purpose.
* **save your lives (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** The verb H2421, "to live" or "to revive," is used here in its causative form, meaning "to keep alive" or "to preserve life." This term underscores God's life-sustaining power and His commitment to ensuring the survival of Jacob's family. It emphasizes the critical nature of the situation—their lives were truly at risk due to the famine—and God's active intervention through Joseph to provide sustenance and prevent their demise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God sent me before you":** This opening clause immediately shifts the narrative's focus from human culpability to divine sovereignty. Joseph explicitly states that his arrival in Egypt, and all the events leading up to it, were not accidental or purely the result of his brothers' evil intent, but were orchestrated by God. The phrase "before you" (literally, "to your face" or "in your presence") suggests a preparatory, vanguard role, implying God's foresight in sending Joseph ahead to pave the way for their salvation.
* **"to preserve you a posterity in the earth":** This clause reveals the primary purpose of God's sending Joseph. The preservation of Jacob's family ("a posterity" or "remnant") was crucial. This was not merely about individual survival but about the continuity of the covenant lineage, the nascent nation of Israel, which God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The phrase "in the earth" emphasizes the physical, tangible nature of this preservation, ensuring their survival and growth in a specific land during a time of global famine.
* **"and to save your lives by a great deliverance":** This final clause reiterates and intensifies the purpose of preservation, highlighting the magnitude of God's intervention. The "great deliverance" signifies a comprehensive and miraculous rescue from certain death due to the famine. It underscores the extraordinary nature of their salvation, achieved through Joseph's position and the resources he managed in Egypt, all orchestrated by God's hand. Joseph sees himself as an instrument of this divine rescue, a testament to God's power and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very act intended for evil by Joseph's brothers—selling him into slavery—is revealed to be the means by which God accomplishes their salvation. This dramatic reversal highlights God's ability to subvert human intentions for His divine purposes. **Divine Agency** is a central theme, with Joseph explicitly attributing his entire journey to God's active "sending," rather than human actions or chance. This elevates the narrative from a family drama to a theological statement about God's sovereign control over history. The phrase "great deliverance" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the immense scale and miraculous nature of the salvation God provided, underscoring that it was far beyond human capability to achieve. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Summary Statement** of Joseph's theological understanding of his life, providing a succinct yet profound interpretation of his suffering and exaltation within God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's declaration in Genesis 45:7 is a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and providence, asserting that God is actively involved in human history, orchestrating events—even those seemingly tragic or unjust—to fulfill His ultimate, benevolent purposes. This perspective transforms human suffering and betrayal into instruments of divine will, demonstrating God's ability to bring good out of evil. The preservation of Jacob's family, the nascent nation of Israel, was critical for the continuation of God's redemptive plan, ensuring the lineage through which God's promises would be fulfilled, ultimately leading to the Messiah. This verse highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant and His power to deliver His people from desperate circumstances, providing salvation and sustenance when all human hope seems lost.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Purpose for Good")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 105:16-17](/psalms/105-16-17 "God Sent a Man Before Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's profound perspective in Genesis 45:7 offers enduring comfort and a challenging call to faith for believers across generations. It encourages us to look beyond immediate pain, betrayal, or hardship and trust in God's overarching, benevolent plan, even when circumstances appear chaotic, unfair, or utterly devoid of hope. This verse reminds us that God is sovereignly at work, capable of using difficult situations, human sin, and personal suffering to accomplish His good purposes, not only for our individual lives but also for the broader scope of His Kingdom and the unfolding of His redemptive narrative. It compels us to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness, understanding that God's ultimate goal is often our preservation and a greater, divinely orchestrated deliverance. Embracing this truth can transform our perspective on adversity, allowing us to see God's hand even in the shadows and to rest in His unfailing providence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's statement challenge your perspective on personal suffering or betrayal?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances are unclear?**
* **How can understanding God's providential care in Joseph's life encourage you to forgive those who have wronged you?**
* **What "great deliverance" has God brought into your life, and how does it reveal His faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**How can God "send" Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery?**

Answer: Joseph's statement in [Genesis 45:7](/genesis/45-7 "God's Sovereignty in Joseph's Life") reflects a deep theological understanding of divine sovereignty, a concept further articulated in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Intentions in Genesis 50:20"). It does not negate his brothers' sin or their moral responsibility for their actions. Instead, it asserts that God, in His ultimate wisdom and power, was able to providentially oversee and even utilize their sinful act to accomplish His righteous and redemptive purposes. God did not cause their sin, nor did He approve of it, but He incorporated the consequences of it into His larger plan, demonstrating His ability to bring good out of evil. Joseph recognized that while his brothers intended harm, God intended good, using Joseph's suffering as a means to preserve the very family that had wronged him, ensuring the continuation of His covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's story, particularly his role as a divinely "sent" deliverer who suffers unjustly yet ultimately brings salvation and preservation to his people, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was "sent" by God the Father, as affirmed in [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "God Sent His Son"), and was rejected by His own brethren, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Despised and Rejected") and fulfilled in the Gospels. He endured immense suffering and betrayal, culminating in His crucifixion, yet through His suffering and subsequent exaltation, He became the means of "great deliverance" and spiritual preservation for all humanity. Just as Joseph saved his family from physical death by famine, Christ offers eternal life and spiritual salvation, preserving a "posterity" for God through His atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, as seen in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God's Love in Christ's Death"). He is the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), fulfilling God's ultimate covenant promise to redeem a people for Himself, making them heirs of eternal life through faith in Him ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

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

Psalms 44:4

Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Psalms 18:50

Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Judges 15:18

¶ And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

1 Chronicles 11:14

And they set themselves in the midst of [that] parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved [them] by a great deliverance.