Genesis 46:31

And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which [were] in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

And Joseph {H3130} said {H559} unto his brethren {H251}, and unto his father's {H1} house {H1004}, I will go up {H5927}, and shew {H5046} Pharaoh {H6547}, and say {H559} unto him, My brethren {H251}, and my father's {H1} house {H1004}, which were in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, are come {H935} unto me;

Yosef said to his brothers and his father's family, "I'm going up to tell Pharaoh. I'll say to him, 'My brothers and my father's family, who were in the land of Kena'an, have come to me.

Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me.

And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and tell Pharaoh, and will say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

Commentary

Genesis 46:31 captures a moment of strategic importance as Joseph, second only to Pharaoh in Egypt, prepares to introduce his recently arrived family to the Egyptian ruler. This verse highlights Joseph's careful planning and the unfolding of God's divine purpose in preserving the lineage of Israel.

Context

This verse immediately follows the emotional reunion between Joseph and his father, Jacob, after decades of separation (Genesis 46:29-30). The entire household of Jacob, comprising seventy souls, has just completed their journey from the famine-stricken land of Canaan to Egypt, invited by Joseph to escape the severe famine. Joseph, ever the meticulous administrator, understands the protocol and necessity of formally presenting his family to Pharaoh. This is not merely a courtesy call but a crucial step to secure official permission for their settlement and to ensure their well-being and protection within Egypt, setting the stage for their future growth as a distinct people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Preservation: At its core, this verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving the covenant line. The entire journey of Jacob's family to Egypt was orchestrated by divine providence, fulfilling God's plan to save them from starvation and allow them to flourish into a great nation, as promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). Joseph himself recognized this overarching plan (Genesis 45:7-8).
  • Joseph's Prudent Leadership: Joseph consistently demonstrates remarkable foresight, wisdom, and administrative skill. Here, he acts as a strategic mediator between his family and the most powerful ruler of his time. His actions are deliberate and proactive, designed to secure the best possible conditions for his kin, which ultimately leads to their settlement in the fertile land of Goshen.
  • Family Identity and Unity: The phrase "my brethren, and my father's house" emphasizes the strong, collective identity of Jacob's family. Despite their tumultuous past, they are now united under Joseph's protective care, representing the foundational family unit from which the twelve tribes of Israel would eventually emerge.
  • Preparation for Settlement: Joseph's declaration to "shew Pharaoh" (Hebrew: yaggid, meaning "to declare" or "to formally inform") signifies his intention to secure not just a temporary refuge but a permanent place for his family. This presentation is a prelude to his strategic move to settle them in Goshen, a plan revealed in the subsequent verses that capitalizes on Egyptian cultural norms to ensure their distinctness (Genesis 47:1-6).

Linguistic Insights

The term "father's house" (Hebrew: beit av) is significant. It refers to the entire patriarchal household, encompassing not just Jacob himself but all his descendants, their wives, and servants. This phrase highlights the familial and tribal unit that was central to ancient Israelite society and to the covenant promises God had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Practical Application

Joseph's actions in this verse offer valuable lessons in responsible leadership and care for those under our charge, particularly family. His unwavering commitment to his family's welfare, even after all the suffering they inflicted upon him, is a powerful example of forgiveness and selfless service. Furthermore, this narrative reminds us of God's meticulous and often unseen hand guiding the lives of His people through challenging circumstances. Just as Joseph prepared a place for his family, God continually works to provide for and protect His own, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness and love.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 18:3

    And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

  • Hebrews 2:11

    For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

  • Genesis 47:1

    ¶ Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they [are] in the land of Goshen.

  • Genesis 47:3

    And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What [is] your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants [are] shepherds, both we, [and] also our fathers.

  • Genesis 45:16

    ¶ And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

  • Genesis 45:20

    Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt [is] yours.
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