Genesis 45:11 kjv

And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

Genesis 45:11 nkjv

There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine." '

Genesis 45:11 niv

I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'

Genesis 45:11 esv

There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.'

Genesis 45:11 nlt

I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.'"

Genesis 45 verses

Genesis 45 11 Meaning

In Genesis 45:11, Joseph assures his brothers, and through them, his father Jacob, that he will personally sustain them in Egypt. He reveals the ongoing severity and extended duration of the famine—five more years—and warns against the total destitution that would otherwise befall them, their families, and all their possessions. This promise is a powerful expression of his care and a call for his family to move to Egypt, guaranteeing their survival and well-being under his provision.

Genesis 45 11 Context

Genesis chapter 45 marks the climax of the narrative concerning Joseph and his brothers. After testing his brothers multiple times to see their changed hearts and dedication to Benjamin, Joseph, overwhelmed by emotion, reveals his true identity. The immediate preceding verses (Gen 45:1-10) depict Joseph making himself known, reassuring his terrified brothers that his presence in Egypt was divinely orchestrated not by their malicious actions, but by God's providence to preserve life during a severe global famine. Verse 11 directly follows Joseph’s explanation of God's hand in his elevation, underscoring the urgency of the situation—the famine’s continued duration and the need for immediate relocation. Historically, famines in the ancient Near East were devastating, leading to widespread death and migration. Egypt, with the Nile and Joseph's divine wisdom, became the region's breadbasket during such crises. Culturally, the provision of grain was a sign of great power and authority, often attributed to the fertility gods. Joseph’s ability to predict and prepare for a multi-year famine, and then sustain not only Egypt but also the surrounding nations, firmly positions the God of Israel as the true sovereign over nature and destiny, directly contrasting with and proving superior to any local deities worshipped for harvest or rain.

Genesis 45 11 Word analysis

• And there: Signifies a specific location Joseph had already mentioned, referring to the land of Goshen (Gen 45:10). It was chosen for its fertile pasture land, distinct from Egyptian urban centers, suitable for a shepherd family, and for its strategic separation from Egyptians for future national growth.
• I will nourish you: From the Hebrew verb אֲכַלְכֶּלְךָ (ʾăḵalekəlkā), from the root כּוּל (kûl). This word implies more than simply providing food; it encompasses full support, sustenance, maintenance, and care for all needs, suggesting complete provision and protection from want. It highlights Joseph's authoritative position and his personal commitment as a benefactor. This concept of comprehensive provision points to God’s nature as the ultimate provider (El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One).
• for there are still: The phrase underscores the current reality and ongoing challenge of the famine, adding weight to the urgency of Joseph's invitation.
• five more years: Specifies the predicted duration of the famine, emphasizing its extreme severity and long-term nature, as only two years out of seven had passed. This divine foreknowledge through Joseph is a clear demonstration of the unique power of Israel's God, setting Him apart from the localized and often unpredictable cultic practices related to food security in other ancient cultures.
• of famine: Hebrew רָעָב (rāʿāv), a widespread, debilitating scarcity of food. This condition was a major cause of societal collapse and population migration in the ancient world, stressing the gravity of the threat faced by Jacob’s family.
• lest you and your household: This is a direct warning of the catastrophic outcome if they do not follow Joseph’s counsel. "Household" (בַּיִת bayit) here encompasses all family members, servants, and retainers.
• and all that you have: Includes their flocks, herds, and other possessions. The famine's destructive power would affect not just people but all their material wealth, which in a pastoral society, largely meant their livestock.
• come to poverty: From the Hebrew root רָשׁ (rāš), meaning to be poor, needy, or destitute. The form used here, תִּוָּרֵשׁ (tivvārēš), suggests being stripped bare or becoming utterly impoverished. Joseph warns of complete ruin and loss, portraying a vivid image of potential destitution if they fail to relocate under his care.

• "I will nourish you, for there are still five years of famine": This phrase highlights Joseph's provident care stemming from divine foresight. He alone possesses the means and the knowledge—received from God—to secure their future during an otherwise catastrophic global event. This contrasts with common ancient Near Eastern beliefs where deities might offer localized agricultural blessings; here, a global, long-term disaster is mitigated by a singular God operating through His servant.
• "lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty": This segment presents a stark consequence of inaction, serving as a persuasive plea. It emphasizes the absolute and devastating nature of the famine, which threatens total societal and economic ruin for the family. Joseph's plea reflects not only his love for his family but also God’s overarching plan to preserve the lineage through whom His covenant promises would be fulfilled, ensuring their survival to become a great nation.

Genesis 45 11 Bonus section

The mention of "five more years of famine" reveals not only the divine accuracy of Joseph’s interpretations of Pharaoh’s dreams but also the scale of God's providential planning, spanning years into the future to preserve His covenant people. Goshen, implied by "there," was specifically chosen for the Israelites not just for its fertility, but also its relative isolation from the Egyptians. This allowed the Israelites to maintain their cultural identity and grow into a large nation without being immediately assimilated, setting the stage for their future Exodus. This divine strategy reflects a larger biblical pattern where God often uses seemingly adverse circumstances (like a famine forcing migration) to accomplish His redemptive purposes, ultimately for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His promises. This event marks a critical juncture in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, ensuring the lineage and preservation of the chosen family through whom the Messiah would ultimately come.

Genesis 45 11 Commentary

Joseph's promise to "nourish" his family is pivotal, serving as both a concrete offer of survival and a deep expression of reconciliation and familial devotion. It underscores the severity and prolonged nature of the famine, demonstrating Joseph's incredible foresight—a divine gift—and solidifying his benevolent authority. His detailed concern for "you and your household, and all that you have" emphasizes the holistic provision he intends, covering all aspects of their life, from personal well-being to material possessions, thus averting absolute ruin. This act of grace mirrors God's unfailing provision for His people, even through seemingly adverse circumstances. Joseph, through whom God orchestrated this salvation, becomes a Christ-like figure, providing deliverance from impending destruction. The move to Egypt, albeit temporary, was essential for the rapid growth of the fledgling Israelite family into a multitude, under the protected environment and guaranteed sustenance Joseph provided.

• Example: Like a good shepherd, Joseph knows the needs of his flock (his family) and provides adequate pasture and protection for years to come.
• Example: Just as parents plan and save for their children's future education, Joseph used his divinely-given foresight to plan and provide for his family's long-term sustenance, ensuring their survival.