Genesis 50:17

KJV

So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

So shall ye say {H559} unto Joseph {H3130}, Forgive {H5375}, I pray thee {H577} now, the trespass {H6588} of thy brethren {H251}, and their sin {H2403}; for they did {H1580} unto thee evil {H7451}: and now, we pray thee, forgive {H5375} the trespass {H6588} of the servants {H5650} of the God {H430} of thy father {H1}. And Joseph {H3130} wept {H1058} when they spake {H1696} unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Say to Yosef, "I beg you now, please forgive your brothers' crime and wickedness in doing you harm."' So now, we beg of you, forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father."Yosef wept when they spoke to him;

Berean Standard Bible

‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

American Standard Version

So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil. And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 50:17 captures the deeply emotional and pivotal moment when Joseph's brothers, after the death of their father Jacob, approach Joseph with profound fear and an earnest plea for forgiveness, anticipating retribution for their past evil actions. The verse vividly portrays their lingering guilt and distrust, culminating in Joseph's immediate and empathetic weeping, which underscores his compassionate character and the enduring need for reconciliation within the family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the burial of Jacob in Canaan, a significant event that concludes the patriarchal narrative arc concerning Jacob. The brothers' actions in [Genesis 50:15-18](/genesis/50-15-18 "The brothers' fear and Joseph's reassurance") reveal their underlying anxiety that Joseph's previous forgiveness, extended during the famine, was conditional upon Jacob's life. With their father, the last perceived buffer or mediator, now gone, they fear Joseph might finally exact revenge for their betrayal. Their elaborate approach, sending a messenger and fabricating a dying wish from Jacob, highlights their desperation and the deep-seated nature of their guilt, setting the stage for Joseph's profound emotional response and subsequent theological affirmation in [Genesis 50:19-21](/genesis/50-19-21 "Joseph's trust in God's sovereignty").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the death of a patriarch often marked a shift in family dynamics, sometimes leading to power struggles or the settling of old scores. While Joseph had already demonstrated extraordinary grace by elevating his family and providing for them in Egypt, the cultural expectation of retribution for such a grave offense (selling a brother into slavery) would have weighed heavily on the brothers. Their fear was not unfounded within the societal norms of the time, where justice often involved reciprocal harm. Furthermore, the concept of a dying wish or curse held significant weight, making their fabricated message a potent appeal. Joseph's response, however, transcends these cultural norms, reflecting a higher, divinely inspired ethic of forgiveness.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 50:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It powerfully illustrates the **persistence of sin and guilt**, showing how the brothers' conscience continued to trouble them despite years of reconciliation and provision, echoing the theme of human fallenness seen from [the fall in Eden](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity") onward. It also highlights the **power and necessity of forgiveness and reconciliation**, demonstrating that true healing requires confronting past wrongs and extending grace, a theme central to Joseph's entire narrative. Moreover, Joseph's reaction underscores the theme of **God's transformative grace and sovereignty**, as his compassionate response sets the stage for his theological declaration in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's sovereign purpose in Joseph's life") that God intended their evil for good, ultimately preserving many lives.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forgive (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From the primitive root H5375, meaning "to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative." In this context, it signifies to lift away, bear off, or carry away the burden of guilt or offense. The brothers are pleading for Joseph to remove the weight of their sin from them, to pardon their transgression. Joseph's subsequent actions confirm that he indeed "lifts" this burden.
* **Trespass (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** From H6588, meaning "a revolt (national, moral or religious); rebellion, sin, transgression." This word implies a deliberate and willful breaking of a relationship or a standard, a rebellious act. The brothers acknowledge their actions were not merely mistakes but a conscious rebellion against Joseph and, implicitly, against the family unit and God's order.
* **Wept (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** From H1058, a primitive root meaning "to weep; generally to bemoan." Joseph's weeping is a profound emotional response, indicating deep sorrow, empathy, and possibly frustration that his brothers still harbored such fear and distrust, despite all his efforts to reassure them. It is a genuine expression of his compassionate heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil:"** This opening clause presents the brothers' carefully crafted plea, delivered through a messenger. The phrase "Forgive, I pray thee now" conveys urgency and desperation. They explicitly name their actions as "trespass" (a deliberate revolt) and "sin" (missing the mark), acknowledging the profound "evil" they inflicted upon Joseph. This confession, though perhaps motivated by fear, highlights their awareness of the gravity of their past actions.
* **"and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father."** This second part of the plea strategically invokes Jacob and his God. By identifying themselves as "servants of the God of thy father," they appeal to Joseph's piety and his respect for their shared spiritual heritage, hoping to leverage a divine and familial obligation for forgiveness. This also suggests an understanding that their sin was not only against Joseph but also, indirectly, against God. The repetition of "forgive the trespass" underscores their earnest desire for absolution.
* **"And Joseph wept when they spake unto him."** This final, concise clause describes Joseph's immediate and powerful emotional reaction. His weeping is a complex display of profound empathy, sorrow over their lingering fear and distrust, and perhaps even frustration that his years of demonstrated grace had not fully erased their guilt. It reveals the depth of his compassion and his pain at the continued brokenness within his family, setting the stage for his subsequent words of reassurance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Pathos** is evident in the brothers' desperate plea and Joseph's profound weeping, evoking deep emotion from the reader. The **Repetition** of "forgive" and "trespass" emphasizes the brothers' intense desire for absolution and their recognition of the gravity of their offense. There is a strong element of **Irony** in the brothers' fear, as Joseph had already demonstrated years of unwavering forgiveness and provision; their distrust highlights the lingering psychological burden of guilt. The brothers' appeal to "the God of thy father" also serves as a form of **Rhetorical Appeal**, attempting to sway Joseph by invoking a higher authority and shared spiritual bond.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 50:17 profoundly illustrates the enduring human struggle with guilt and the divine call to forgiveness. The brothers' persistent fear, despite Joseph's years of demonstrated grace, reveals the deep-seated nature of unaddressed sin and the psychological torment it can inflict. Their plea for forgiveness, even if partly manipulative, underscores the universal human need for reconciliation and the removal of the burden of wrongdoing. Joseph's compassionate response, marked by tears, mirrors God's own character of mercy and willingness to forgive, even when the wronged party has every right to seek retribution. This moment sets the stage for Joseph's profound theological statement in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's sovereign purpose in Joseph's life"), articulating how God sovereignly works through human evil for redemptive purposes, transforming malice into a means of preservation.
* [Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Joseph's initial forgiveness of his brothers") - Joseph's initial act of forgiveness and reassurance to his brothers during the famine, demonstrating his compassionate heart long before Jacob's death.
* [Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "God removes our transgressions") - A beautiful poetic expression of God's complete removal of sin, echoing the "lifting away" aspect of forgiveness that Joseph extends.
* [Matthew 6:14-15](/matthew/6-14-15 "Forgive others to be forgiven") - Jesus' teaching on the necessity of forgiving others as a prerequisite for receiving God's forgiveness, highlighting the reciprocal nature of reconciliation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 50:17 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us of the enduring power of sin to create fear and distrust, and the liberating power of genuine forgiveness. Just as Joseph's brothers were tormented by their past, we too can be burdened by guilt until we seek and receive forgiveness, both from those we have wronged and from God. Joseph's tears serve as a powerful reminder that true forgiveness is not merely an intellectual assent but a deeply empathetic and often painful act of compassion that seeks the well-being of the offender. This verse challenges us to cultivate a heart like Joseph's, choosing grace over grievance, even when others doubt our intentions or continue to struggle with their own guilt. It calls us to be agents of reconciliation in a broken world, extending the same radical forgiveness we have received through [Christ Jesus](/ephesians/4-32 "Be kind and forgiving to one another, as God in Christ forgave you"), trusting that God can redeem even the most painful of circumstances for His ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What lingering fears or guilts from your past might be hindering your peace or relationships, even if forgiveness has already been offered?**
* **How does Joseph's weeping challenge your understanding of what true forgiveness looks like, especially when the other person still struggles with trust?**
* **In what ways can you, like Joseph, choose to respond with compassion and grace when others project their fears or insecurities onto you?**

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

Answer: Despite Joseph's earlier demonstrations of forgiveness, provision, and love during the famine, their fear stemmed from their deep-seated guilt over their original sin of selling him into slavery. In ancient cultures, retribution for such a grave offense was common. They likely projected their own capacity for revenge onto Joseph, assuming that with their father Jacob's death, the last perceived restraint on Joseph's potential retribution was removed. Their fear highlights how powerful and persistent unaddressed guilt can be, even in the face of demonstrated grace, leading them to doubt Joseph's sincerity and permanence of his forgiveness.

**Did Jacob truly instruct Joseph to forgive his brothers?**

Answer: The biblical text does not explicitly state that Jacob gave such an instruction. The brothers' message, "So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father," is presented as their own plea, framed as if it were Jacob's dying wish. It is highly probable they fabricated this detail to strengthen their appeal, believing Joseph would honor their father's last request, even if it wasn't true. This manipulation further underscores their fear and their desperate attempt to secure Joseph's continued favor.

**What does Joseph's weeping signify in this verse?**

Answer: Joseph's weeping signifies a complex mix of profound emotions. Primarily, it reveals his deep sorrow and compassion that his brothers still harbored such fear and distrust, despite all he had done to demonstrate his forgiveness and love over many years. It also likely expresses the pain of seeing their lingering guilt and the burden it placed upon them. His tears are a testament to his profound empathy and his character as a man of God who grieved over the brokenness and fear in his family, rather than rejoicing in their distress. It underscores the emotional toll that unresolved conflict and distrust can take, even on the one extending grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, particularly his act of forgiveness in [Genesis 50:17](/genesis/50-17 "The brothers' plea for forgiveness"), profoundly prefigures the ultimate forgiveness and reconciliation offered through Jesus Christ. Joseph, though innocent and deeply wronged by his brothers, chose compassion and grace, ultimately becoming the means of their salvation and preservation from famine. Similarly, Christ, though innocent and betrayed by humanity's sin, willingly suffered and died, not to exact retribution, but to offer complete forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe. Just as Joseph's suffering was ultimately used by God for the good of his family ([Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's sovereign purpose in Joseph's life")), so too was Christ's suffering on the cross the divine means by which God reconciled a sinful world to Himself. Through Christ, the "evil" of humanity's sin is "borne away" (the meaning of _nâsâʼ_, 'forgive'), and we are invited into a new covenant of grace, mirroring Joseph's act of lifting the burden of guilt from his brothers. Christ's tears, like Joseph's, reveal a divine heart of compassion for humanity's lostness and fear, offering true peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace the brothers desperately sought but only Joseph could truly give. This foreshadows the profound peace found in [Christ's completed work](/colossians/1-19-20 "Reconciliation through Christ's blood").

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

Matthew 6:14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Matthew 6:15

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Genesis 49:25

[Even] by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Luke 17:3

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Luke 17:4

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Proverbs 28:13

¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.