3
Josephיוֹסֵףsaidוַיֹּאמֶרto his brothers,אֶל אֶחָיו“Iאֲנִיam Joseph.יוֹסֵףIs my fatherהַ אָבִיstillעוֹדalive?”חָיBut his brothersוְ אֶחָיוcould notלֹא יָכְלוּanswerלַעֲנוֹתhim,אֹתוֹforכִּיthey were terrifiedנִבְהֲלוּbefore him.מִפָּנָיו
Genesis 45:3
Study it in the app“Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were terrified before him.”
With the Hebrew beneath
Genesis 45:3, word by word
- Josephיוֹסֵףyosef
Joseph
Joseph, a name borne by several Israelites, above all the son of Jacob and Rachel, sold into Egypt, who became ruler there and saved his family; his sons Ephraim and Manasseh became tribes. The name means "may he add".
Where else “yosef” appears- saidיֹּאמֶרyomer
say
To say with the mouth to someone what one thinks or wants, or to answer him.
Where else “yomer” appears- to his brothersאֶחָיechay
brother
A son of the same father or the same mother.
Where else “echay” appears- Is my fatherאָבִavi
father
The man who begets a child and heads his household.
Where else “avi” appears- aliveחָיchay
alive
Having life, not dead.
Where else “chay” appears- could notיָכְלוּyachlu
be able
To have the strength, the permission or the opportunity to do something.
Where else “yachlu” appears- answerעֲנוֹתanot
answer
To reply to what was said.
Where else “anot” appears- they were terrifiedנִבְהֲלוּnivhalu
be dismayed
To be struck with dread, or frighten others.
Where else “nivhalu” appears- before himפָּנָיpanay
before
Literally "to the face of": in sight of someone, or on account of something.
Where else “panay” appears
The context
2He raised his voice in weeping, and the Egyptians heard, and the household of Pharaoh heard.
3 · This verse (above)
4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. He said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
To study Genesis 45 in a group
1. What it says
What did Joseph say to his brothers when he made himself known (vv. 3-5)?
2. What it means
What does it mean that Joseph says Elohim sent him ahead of them to preserve life (vv. 5-8)?
3. How I live it
How can you look with a wider view at someone who hurt you, without denying the pain?