Genesis 45:4

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please, come and stand more close to me.” So they went more close to him. And Joseph said, “I am your brother Joseph. Remember, a long time ago, you sold me as a work-man to that Midian mob, and they brought me here to Egypt country.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

In Context

3Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am your brother Joseph. You said that my father is still alive. Is that true?” Joseph’s brothers got a big shock. You see, before this, they thought that he was one of the Egypt people, but now they knew that he was their brother Joseph. They were really shocked and frightened, so they didn’t say anything.

5Listen, I can see that you are upset and angry with yourselves, because you sold me as a work-man. But don’t be upset or angry. You know, God was the one that made those things happen. Yes, God sent me here to Egypt, so that I can help people stay alive in these dry years with no food plants growing. And later on, he got you mob to come here to get food.

Read all of Genesis 45

Cross References

Genesis 50:18Then his brothers came to him, and they quickly got down on their knees and put their faces near the ground, to show respect to Joseph. And they said to Joseph, “You are our boss, and we are your work-men.”

Acts 9:5Saul asked, “Who are you, boss?” And that voice said, “I am Jesus. You are making trouble for me and hurting me.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 45:2-16

Joseph Discovers Himself to His Brethren. ( b. c. 1707.) 1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4 And Joseph said unto his… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 45:4