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Genesis 45:9

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Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

Haste {H4116} ye, and go up {H5927} to my father {H1}, and say {H559} unto him, Thus saith {H559} thy son {H1121} Joseph {H3130}, God {H430} hath made {H7760} me lord {H113} of all Egypt {H4714}: come down {H3381} unto me, tarry {H5975} not:

Hurry, go up to my father, and tell him, 'Here is what your son Yosef says: "God has made me lord of all Egypt! Come down to me, don't delay!

Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not;

Commentary

Genesis 45:9 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as Joseph, now the powerful vizier of Egypt, sends an urgent and profoundly emotional message to his long-grieving father, Jacob. This verse is part of Joseph's dramatic revelation to his brothers, instructing them to return to Canaan and bring their father to Egypt, ensuring the survival of their family amidst a severe famine.

Context

This verse follows the highly emotional scene where Joseph finally reveals his true identity to his brothers after years of separation and testing (Genesis 45:1-8). For decades, Jacob had believed Joseph was dead, having been sold into slavery by his own brothers and then mourned as if torn by a wild beast (Genesis 37:33-35). Now, Joseph, having risen to immense power through divine providence, instructs his brothers to convey the astonishing news to their father: his beloved son is alive, well, and in a position to save the entire family from the devastating famine that gripped the land of Canaan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Sovereignty: Joseph's declaration, "God hath made me lord of all Egypt," is a powerful testament to his unwavering faith and understanding of God's overarching plan. He doesn't attribute his success to his own cunning or resilience, but explicitly to God's hand. This echoes his earlier statement in Genesis 45:7-8, where he explains that God sent him ahead to preserve life. This theme beautifully illustrates how God can work all things for good, even through betrayal and suffering.
  • Urgency of Reconciliation and Family Reunion: The repeated commands "Haste ye" and "tarry not" convey Joseph's deep longing and eagerness for a reunion with his father. This urgency reflects the profound familial love that persevered despite years of separation and the brothers' past misdeeds. It underscores the importance of swift action in bringing comfort and hope, especially to one who has suffered prolonged grief.
  • Hope and Deliverance: For Jacob, who had lived with sorrow for so long, this message represents an unexpected and miraculous deliverance from both personal grief and the immediate threat of famine. Joseph's position as "lord of all Egypt" meant not only his survival but also the salvation of his entire household, providing a secure refuge in the land of Goshen (Genesis 47:6).

Linguistic Insights

The urgency in Joseph's command is highlighted by the Hebrew words: "Haste ye" (מַהֲרוּ - maharu) and "tarry not" (אַל־תִּתְמַהְמְהוּ - 'al titmahmehu). Both terms emphasize speed and no delay, conveying the depth of Joseph's desire to alleviate his father's suffering and bring about the long-awaited family reunion. The phrase "God hath made me lord" uses 'Elohim (God), reinforcing the divine agency behind Joseph's elevation to power, a key aspect of his theology.

Practical Application

Joseph's message in Genesis 45:9 offers timeless lessons. It reminds us that even when life's circumstances seem bleak or unfair, God is sovereign and capable of orchestrating events for His ultimate purposes. Like Joseph, we are called to acknowledge God's hand in our lives, recognizing His providence even through trials. Furthermore, this verse highlights the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Joseph's actions demonstrate a profound capacity to forgive past wrongs and focus on the future, leading to healing and restoration within the family. It encourages us to be instruments of comfort and hope, acting with urgency when we can alleviate the suffering of others, especially those we 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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Genesis 45:19 (3 votes)

    Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

  • Genesis 45:20 (3 votes)

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

  • Genesis 45:13 (3 votes)

    And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.