Genesis 50:15

KJV

¶ And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when Joseph's {H3130} brethren {H251} saw {H7200} that their father {H1} was dead {H4191}, they said {H559}, Joseph {H3130} will peradventure {H3863} hate us {H7852}, and will certainly {H7725} requite {H7725} us all the evil {H7451} which we did {H1580} unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Realizing that their father was dead, Yosef's brothers said, "Yosef may hate us now and pay us back in full for all the suffering we caused him."

Berean Standard Bible

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.”

American Standard Version

And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the death of their father Jacob, Joseph's brothers, burdened by profound and lingering guilt over their past betrayal, expressed deep-seated anxiety that Joseph's previously extended forgiveness was contingent upon Jacob's life. They feared that Joseph would now potentially harbor hatred towards them and, with certainty, exact retribution for the grievous evil they had inflicted upon him decades earlier, revealing their misunderstanding of Joseph's genuine, God-centered grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 50:15 immediately follows the elaborate and extensive mourning period and burial of Jacob, the patriarch of the burgeoning nation of Israel. Chapters 47-49 detail Jacob's final years in Egypt, his blessings upon his sons, and his deathbed prophecies. Joseph's brothers had been living peacefully and prosperously in Egypt under Joseph's care for seventeen years since their reconciliation during the famine. The removal of Jacob, the unifying figure and their father, from the scene serves as a catalyst for the brothers' deep-seated fears and unresolved guilt to resurface. Their anxiety here sets the stage for Joseph's powerful reaffirmation of his forgiveness and his profound theological statement regarding God's sovereign hand in their lives, culminating in [Genesis 50:19-21](/genesis/50-19 "Joseph's Reassurance and God's Providence").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, retribution for wrongs, especially within families or tribes, was a common expectation. While blood vengeance was often practiced, the concept of "requiting" evil could also extend to social or economic penalties. The brothers' actions against Joseph – conspiring to kill him, throwing him into a pit, and ultimately [selling him into slavery](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery") – were heinous crimes, punishable by death or severe penalties under many ancient legal codes. Their fear reflects this cultural understanding of justice, where a wrong demanded a proportional response. Furthermore, the death of a patriarch often led to shifts in power dynamics and the settling of old scores, as the mediating influence of the elder was removed. The brothers' apprehension is thus rooted in both their personal guilt and the prevailing cultural norms regarding justice and family honor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the pervasive theme of **guilt and its psychological burden**, demonstrating how past sin can continue to haunt individuals even after reconciliation. It also underscores the **nature of forgiveness**, particularly the challenge of receiving and trusting in its permanence, contrasting human suspicion with divine grace. Furthermore, it foreshadows the profound theme of **divine providence**, as Joseph's subsequent response in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Sovereign Purpose") reveals his understanding that God orchestrates even human evil for His redemptive purposes. This passage also touches on the theme of **family reconciliation** and the ongoing process of healing deep wounds within the family of Abraham, setting the stage for the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **peradventure (Hebrew, _lûʼ_):** This conditional particle signifies "if," "perhaps," or "would that!" In this context, it conveys the brothers' uncertainty and speculative fear. It's not a confirmed belief that Joseph hates them, but a hypothetical, anxious thought that underscores their deep-seated insecurity and the question mark hanging over Joseph's intentions in their minds. It reveals their inability to fully grasp the unconditional nature of Joseph's forgiveness.
* **hate us (Hebrew, _sâṭam_):** This primitive root means "to lurk for," "persecute," "hate," or "oppose oneself against." The brothers' fear that Joseph would "hate" them indicates their belief that he would now harbor malicious intent and actively seek to harm them. This word choice emphasizes the depth of their perceived betrayal and their expectation of a vengeful response, reflecting their own capacity for such emotions.
* **requite (Hebrew, _shûwb_):** While primarily meaning "to turn back" or "return," this root also carries the sense of "recompense," "render (again)," or "reward." In this context, it signifies paying back or retaliating for a wrong. The brothers' use of "certainly requite" suggests a conviction that Joseph would exact a just, yet feared, retribution for the "evil" they had done. This highlights their understanding of justice as proportional vengeance, contrasting sharply with Joseph's later demonstration of divine grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead,"**: This clause establishes the immediate trigger for the brothers' fear. Jacob's death removed what they perceived as a protective buffer or a primary reason for Joseph to withhold retribution. For years, Jacob's presence had been a stabilizing factor, perhaps even a perceived guarantor of peace within the family. His absence immediately activated their deepest anxieties and brought their unresolved guilt to the forefront, as they no longer felt shielded by their father's authority or mediating role.
* **"they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us,"**: This phrase reveals the brothers' internal dialogue and their speculative fear. The use of "peradventure" (perhaps) indicates their uncertainty, yet the mere possibility of Joseph's hatred was enough to provoke profound anxiety. This reflects their ongoing struggle with their conscience and their inability to fully trust the permanence and sincerity of Joseph's forgiveness, projecting their own capacity for vengeance onto him. Their fear of his hatred suggests a deeper concern about his emotional disposition towards them, beyond just punitive action.
* **"and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him."**: This concluding clause expresses their conviction regarding the consequence of Joseph's presumed hatred. The word "certainly" contrasts with "peradventure," indicating their firm belief that while Joseph's emotional state might be uncertain, his intention to "requite" (repay, retaliate, avenge) them for "all the evil" was a foregone conclusion. This demonstrates their acute awareness of the profound wickedness of their past actions—their conspiracy to kill him and ultimately [selling him into slavery](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")—and their expectation of a just, yet terrifying, retribution in accordance with human understandings of justice.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as the brothers' fear sets the stage for Joseph's profound theological declaration in the subsequent verses, where he reveals God's sovereign hand in their lives. The contrast between "peradventure hate" and "certainly requite" creates **juxtaposition**, highlighting the brothers' internal conflict and the progression from uncertain emotion to certain action in their fearful anticipation. This also functions as a form of **psychological realism**, vividly portraying the enduring burden of guilt and the human tendency to project one's own capacity for vengeance onto others, even those who have demonstrated grace. The phrase "all the evil which we did unto him" serves as a concise **summary** of their past egregious actions, emphasizing the weight of their collective sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 50:15 offers a poignant exploration of the human condition, particularly the persistent grip of guilt and the profound challenge of accepting true forgiveness. The brothers' fear, despite years of reconciliation and Joseph's clear demonstration of grace, underscores that receiving forgiveness can be as difficult as extending it. Their inability to fully trust Joseph's mercy reveals a projection of their own limited, human understanding of justice, which often demands retribution, onto Joseph. This human suspicion stands in stark contrast to Joseph's God-centered perspective, which sees divine purpose even in profound suffering. The passage thus sets the stage for Joseph to re-articulate a theology of divine providence, demonstrating that God can redeem even the most grievous human sin for His ultimate good.

* [Leviticus 26:36](/leviticus/26-36 "The Terrors of Guilt")
* [Psalm 38:4](/psalms/38-4 "The Burden of Iniquity")
* [Romans 2:15](/romans/2-15 "Conscience Bearing Witness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 50:15 provides a powerful mirror for contemporary life, especially concerning the enduring weight of past wrongs and the transformative power of genuine, God-centered forgiveness. Many individuals carry the invisible burden of guilt, even after confessing their sins and receiving forgiveness from those they've wronged or from God Himself. This verse reminds us that true freedom comes not only from offering forgiveness but, just as crucially, from accepting it fully and trusting in its permanence. It challenges us to release the need for self-punishment or the expectation of future retribution, and instead, to embrace the liberating grace offered. Joseph's subsequent response (Genesis 50:19-21) serves as a profound model of how a divine perspective can transcend human injury and transform bitterness into blessing. This narrative encourages us to cultivate a heart that freely extends forgiveness, rooted in God's character, and to receive it with a faith that trusts in its complete and lasting nature, thereby building bridges of genuine trust and reconciliation in our own relationships. Furthermore, the brothers' fear, based on human assumptions and a lack of trust, highlights the vital importance of trusting God's overarching providence, as Joseph's life is a testament to [God's ability to work all things for good](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good"), even through human sin and suffering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What past actions or unresolved guilt might still be causing me fear or anxiety, even if forgiveness has been offered?**
* **How does my understanding of forgiveness, both giving and receiving, align with or differ from Joseph's God-centered approach?**
* **In what areas of my life am I still projecting human expectations of retribution or judgment onto God, rather than fully trusting His grace and providence?**

### FAQ
**Why did Joseph's brothers fear him after so many years of peace?**

Answer: The brothers' fear stemmed from deeply ingrained and unresolved guilt over their past actions of conspiring against Joseph and [selling him into slavery](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery"). While Joseph had clearly and repeatedly forgiven them, they likely projected their own capacity for vengeance and a human understanding of justice onto him. With their father Jacob, who had served as a unifying and mediating figure, now deceased, they feared Joseph's forgiveness was conditional or temporary, and that he would now feel free to exact retribution without their father's presence to restrain him. Their active conscience continued to remind them of the severity of their sin.

**What does 'peradventure' mean in Genesis 50:15?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "peradventure" is an archaic term meaning "perhaps" or "it may be." It conveys the brothers' uncertainty and apprehension about Joseph's intentions. They weren't certain he would hate them, but the mere possibility was enough to trigger profound fear and anxiety. This word indicates a speculative and fearful thought rather than a confirmed belief, highlighting their internal struggle and lack of full assurance in Joseph's continued grace.

**Does this verse imply Joseph's forgiveness was conditional or insincere?**

Answer: No, the verse does not imply that Joseph's forgiveness was conditional or insincere. Instead, it reflects the brothers' *perception* and *fear*, which were rooted in their own guilt, their limited human understanding of justice, and their inability to fully accept the permanence of Joseph's grace. Joseph's actions and words in previous chapters ([Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Purpose")) and immediately following this verse ([Genesis 50:19-21](/genesis/50-19 "Joseph's Reassurance to His Brothers")) consistently demonstrate his genuine, unconditional, and God-centered forgiveness. The brothers simply struggled to fully trust in the permanence and depth of that forgiveness, a common human challenge when receiving profound grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph's brothers' fear and Joseph's unwavering forgiveness in [Genesis 50:15](/genesis/50-15 "Joseph's Brothers' Fear and Joseph's Forgiveness") profoundly foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph's brothers, humanity stands guilty before a holy God, having committed "all the evil" through sin, and justly fears divine "requital" for our rebellion. The wages of sin are death, and we, by nature, are children of wrath, deserving of judgment ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin") and [Ephesians 2:3](/ephesians/2-3 "Children of Wrath")). Yet, Christ, the ultimate Joseph, does not "hate" or "requite" us for our betrayal. Instead, through His atoning death on the cross and glorious resurrection, He freely offers complete and unconditional forgiveness, bearing the full requital for our sins in His own body ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "Christ Bore Our Sins")). His grace overcomes our deepest fears and guilt, transforming our expectation of wrath into an experience of reconciliation and peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Peace with God Through Faith")). This reconciliation is not based on our merit, the presence of a human mediator, or a temporary reprieve, but on His finished work and sovereign love, securing for us eternal life and an unbreakable bond with the Father ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")).

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

Proverbs 28:1

¶ The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Genesis 27:41

¶ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Genesis 27:42

And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, [purposing] to kill thee.

Leviticus 26:36

And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

Psalms 53:5

There were they in great fear, [where] no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

Psalms 14:5

There were they in great fear: for God [is] in the generation of the righteous.

Job 15:21

A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.