Topical Bible: Joseph: Son of Jacob: Reveals Himself to his Brothers

◄ Joseph: Son of Jacob: Reveals Himself to his Brothers ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, is a central figure in the narrative of Genesis. His account, marked by betrayal, providence, and reconciliation, reaches a poignant climax when he reveals his identity to his brothers in Egypt. This event is a profound moment of divine orchestration and familial restoration.

Background

Joseph's journey to Egypt began with the jealousy of his brothers, who were envious of their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams (Genesis 37:3-11). Their envy led them to sell Joseph into slavery, and he was taken to Egypt, where he eventually rose to prominence as the governor, second only to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:39-41).

The Famine and the Brothers' Journey to Egypt

Years later, a severe famine struck the land, affecting Canaan where Jacob and his family resided. Hearing that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob sent his sons, except for Benjamin, to buy food (Genesis 42:1-4). Unbeknownst to them, they would stand before Joseph, whom they did not recognize, as he was now an Egyptian official.

Joseph's Testing of His Brothers

Joseph, recognizing his brothers, chose not to reveal himself immediately. Instead, he tested them to discern their character and repentance. He accused them of being spies and imprisoned them for three days, later demanding that they bring Benjamin to Egypt as proof of their honesty (Genesis 42:9-20). The brothers, reflecting on their past actions, expressed guilt over their treatment of Joseph, unaware that he understood their language (Genesis 42:21-23).

The Revelation

After a series of events, including the return of the brothers with Benjamin and a final test involving a silver cup, Joseph could no longer contain his emotions. In a dramatic and tearful revelation, Joseph disclosed his identity to his brothers. "I am Joseph," he declared, "Is my father still alive?" (Genesis 45:3). His brothers were initially dismayed and speechless, unable to comprehend the reality before them.

Joseph, seeing their distress, reassured them with words of comfort and divine perspective: "And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you" (Genesis 45:5). He emphasized that it was God who orchestrated the events to preserve a remnant and deliver their family during the famine (Genesis 45:7-8).

Reconciliation and Restoration

Joseph's revelation led to a heartfelt reconciliation. He embraced his brothers, weeping over them, and spoke kindly to them, demonstrating forgiveness and love (Genesis 45:14-15). He instructed them to return to Canaan, bring their father Jacob, and settle in the land of Goshen, where he would provide for them during the remaining years of famine (Genesis 45:9-11).

This moment of revelation and reconciliation is a testament to God's sovereignty and grace, highlighting themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the fulfillment of divine promises. Joseph's account, culminating in this revelation, serves as a powerful narrative of God's providential care and the restoration of broken relationships.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 45:1
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 to his brothers.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 46:1
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 47:1-12
Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brothers, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Joseph
... utterly, and sends for his poor old father Jacob down into ... to do thy will, O God.'
Of the Son of God ... was right when I said"Perhaps the history of Joseph is in ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vii joseph.htm

Jesus and his Brethren
... terror to us and we cried, like Jacob did at ... world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever ... same burden in his language: "I am Joseph, your brother ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 43 1897/jesus and his brethren.htm

Chapter xlv
... or proof""enough!" he says, "Joseph my son is still ... Jacob has now just this one ambition
before he dies ... Joseph knows of the sincerity of their repentance; so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlv.htm

Chapter xlvi
... But to Gera it ascribes one son: Ard ... the chapter, he would have said: "The sons of
Joseph: Manasseh and ... Instead we find: "The sons of Rachel, Jacob's wife." The ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Genesis
... story of all"that of his son Joseph (xxxvii.-l ... of famine (xlvii.), the dying Jacob
blessing Joseph's ... funeral honours, l.1-14, Joseph's magnanimous forgiveness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/genesis.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... Isaac is an only son, is offered in sacrifice ... of the humiliation, sufferings and
exaltation of Joseph correspond to ... the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Chapter xlii
... And Jacob, their father, said to them: Me have ye made childless"Joseph is no ... But
he said: My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlii.htm

The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family
... Before Jacob went to Bethel, to sacrifice to the Lord, he buried under ... ( Joshua
24..26.) It was here that Abimelech, the son of Gideon ... At last Joseph came back. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/x the census and the.htm

Letter cxxii. To Rusticus.
... [3121] (For it was in Egypt that Joseph fed his ... The prodigal son, we are told, wasted
all his substance ... If Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the prophets also and the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxii to rusticus.htm

Dialogue iii. --The Impassible.
... Orth."And when you hear the Patriarch Jacob saying "Bury me ... to the cross, the body
begged by Joseph of Pilate ... non-existent, or who allege that the Son of God ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue iii the impassible.htm