Genesis 45:3
New International Version
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

New Living Translation
“I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.

English Standard Version
And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

Berean Standard Bible
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.

New American Standard Bible
And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were terrified in his presence.

NASB 1995
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

NASB 1977
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were terrified at his presence.

Amplified Bible
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless, for they were stunned and dismayed by [the fact that they were in] Joseph’s presence.

Christian Standard Bible
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living? ” But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Joseph asked his brothers if his father was still alive, but they were too frightened to answer.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" His brothers could not answer him because they were afraid of him.

Good News Translation
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But when his brothers heard this, they were so terrified that they could not answer.

International Standard Version
Joseph blurted out, "I'm Joseph! Is my father really alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, because they had become terrified to be in his presence.

Majority Standard Bible
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

NET Bible
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him.

New Heart English Bible
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers couldn’t answer him, for they were terrified at his presence.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Joseph said to his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

World English Bible
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Joseph says to his brothers, “I [am] Joseph, is my father yet alive?” And his brothers have not been able to answer him, for they have been troubled at his presence.

Young's Literal Translation
And Joseph saith unto his brethren, 'I am Joseph, is my father yet alive?' and his brethren have not been able to answer him, for they have been troubled at his presence.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joseph will say to his brethren, I am Joseph; is my father yet living? and his brethren will not be able to answer him; for they trembled from before him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to his brethren: I am Joseph: is my father yet living? His brethren could no answer him, being struck with exceeding great fear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to his brothers: “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” His brothers were unable to respond, being terrified by a very great fear.

New American Bible
“I am Joseph,” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could give him no answer, so dumbfounded were they at him.

New Revised Standard Version
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph your brother; is my father still alive? But his brothers could not answer him because they were afraid at his presence.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yoseph said to his brothers, “I am Yoseph, your brother. Is my father still living?”, and his brothers were not able to give to him an answer, because they were afraid in his presence.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Joseph said unto his brethren: 'I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?' And his brethren could not answer him; for they were affrighted at his presence.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joseph said to his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him, for they were troubled.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Reveals His Identity
2But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. 3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. 4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!…

Cross References
Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Acts 7:13
On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh.

Genesis 37:5-8
Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ...

Genesis 42:7-8
And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” / Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.

Genesis 50:15-21
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.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘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. ...

Acts 7:9-10
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

Genesis 37:28
So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Genesis 41:39-41
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” / Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 42:21-23
Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!” / They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.

Genesis 43:30-31
Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep. / Then he washed his face and came back out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.”

Genesis 44:18-34
Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. / My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ / And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ ...

Genesis 46:29-30
Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely. / Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”

Genesis 37:18-20
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”

Genesis 39:1-2
Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. / And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.

Genesis 41:14-16
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of the dungeon. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he went in before Pharaoh. / Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” / “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph; does my father yet live? And his brothers could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

I am Joseph.

Matthew 14:27
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Acts 7:13
And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

Acts 9:5
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

for they.

Job 4:5
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

Job 23:15
Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

troubled.

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Genesis 45
1. Joseph makes himself known to his brothers.
5. He comforts them in God's providence.
9. He sends for his father.
16. Pharaoh confirms it.
21. Joseph furnishes then for their journey.
25. Jacob is revived with the news.














Joseph said to his brothers
The name "Joseph" in Hebrew is "Yosef," meaning "He will add." This name is prophetic of Joseph's role in God's plan to preserve the family of Israel. Joseph's revelation to his brothers is a pivotal moment of reconciliation and fulfillment of God's promises. The act of speaking to his brothers signifies a breaking of silence and a bridge over years of separation and misunderstanding. Historically, this moment is a testament to the power of forgiveness and divine providence.

I am Joseph!
This declaration is both an identity revelation and a profound moment of truth. The Hebrew phrase "Ani Yosef" is simple yet powerful, cutting through years of deception and guilt. It is a moment of self-revelation and recognition, where Joseph reveals his true identity, not just as their brother, but as a key figure in God's salvific plan. This statement is a reminder of the importance of identity in God's narrative and the fulfillment of dreams and prophecies.

Is my father still alive?
Joseph's immediate concern for his father, Jacob, highlights the deep familial bonds and the importance of honoring one's parents, a key tenet in Hebrew culture. The question reflects Joseph's longing and love for his father, whom he has not seen for many years. It also underscores the theme of restoration and the continuity of God's covenant through the patriarchs. Historically, this question bridges the past and the present, showing Joseph's enduring connection to his family despite his Egyptian circumstances.

But they were unable to answer him
The brothers' inability to respond signifies their shock and fear. The Hebrew word for "terrified" can also imply dismay or astonishment. This reaction is understandable given their past actions against Joseph and the unexpected revelation of his identity. It reflects the human response to guilt and the overwhelming nature of grace and forgiveness. This moment is a turning point, where the brothers must confront their past and the reality of Joseph's survival and success.

because they were terrified in his presence
The brothers' terror is a natural human reaction to the unexpected and the realization of their past sins. In the presence of Joseph, now a powerful Egyptian ruler, they are confronted with the consequences of their actions. This fear is not just of Joseph's authority but also of the divine justice and mercy that Joseph represents. Theologically, this moment illustrates the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, and the awe of standing before one who embodies God's redemptive plan. Historically, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of reconciliation and the unfolding of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Verse 3. - And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph. The effect of this announcement can be better imagined than described. Hitherto he had been known to his brethren as Zaphnath-paaneah. Now the voice and the appearance of their long-lost brother would rush upon their minds at the first sound of the familiar name, and fill them with apprehension. Probably Joseph's discernment of this in their countenances was the reason why he asked so abruptly after Jacob. Doth my father yet live? It is not now "the old man of whom ye spake" (Genesis 43:27) for whom Joseph inquires, but his own beloved and revered parent - "my father." "Before it was a question of courtesy, but now of love" (Alford). And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled (or cast into a trepidation, hence terrified) at his presence - literally, before his face. Not only did his present greatness overawe them, but the recollection of their former crimes against him filled them with alarm.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Joseph
יוֹסֵ֤ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his brothers,
אֶחָיו֙ (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

“I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am Joseph!
יוֹסֵ֔ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

Is my father
אָבִ֖י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

still
הַע֥וֹד (ha·‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

alive?”
חָ֑י (ḥāy)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

But they
אֶחָיו֙ (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

were unable
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to answer
לַעֲנ֣וֹת (la·‘ă·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

him,
אֹת֔וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they were terrified
נִבְהֲל֖וּ (niḇ·hă·lū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 926: To tremble inwardly, be, alarmed, agitated, to hasten anxiously

in his presence.
מִפָּנָֽיו׃ (mip·pā·nāw)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT Law: Genesis 45:3 Joseph said to his brothers (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 45:2
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