Genesis 45:15 kjv

Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

Genesis 45:15 nkjv

Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 45:15 niv

And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 45:15 esv

And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 45:15 nlt

Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.

Genesis 45 verses

Genesis 45 15 Meaning

Genesis 45:15 signifies the profound emotional reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. Through demonstrative acts of kissing and weeping upon each of them, Joseph physically and emotionally expressed his complete forgiveness, deep affection, and restoration of their relationship. This heartfelt outpouring served to alleviate the brothers' guilt and fear, thereby paving the way for open, free, and genuine communication, signaling the full mending of their fractured family bond.

Genesis 45 15 Context

Genesis chapter 45 records the climactic moment of Joseph revealing his true identity to his astonished and terrified brothers in Egypt. Earlier in the narrative, the brothers, consumed by jealousy and hatred, had conspired against Joseph, culminating in selling him into slavery (Gen 37). Years later, driven by famine, they arrived in Egypt seeking food, unknowingly encountering Joseph, who was now Pharaoh's prime minister. Throughout earlier encounters (chapters 42-44), Joseph had tested his brothers, orchestrating events to observe their character, repentance, and the state of their family bond, particularly their concern for Benjamin and their aging father, Jacob. Immediately prior to this verse (Gen 45:1-14), Joseph's emotions overwhelmed him; he sent all attendants out, revealed himself, and wept aloud. He then immediately reassured his terror-stricken brothers, emphasizing that God, not their malicious intent, had sent him to Egypt to preserve life. Genesis 45:15 directly follows this profound declaration, providing the tangible, emotional seal of Joseph's forgiveness and the complete restoration of trust and relationship. The setting is the patriarchal era, where family unity was paramount to the nascent covenant community, making this act of reconciliation foundational for the nation of Israel's future.

Genesis 45 15 Word analysis

• Moreover he kissed: (Hebrew: וַיְנַשֵּׁק, va-ye-nash-shek) The conjunction "and/moreover" connects this physical action directly to Joseph's preceding verbal reassurance, indicating a seamless, comprehensive act of reconciliation. "Kissed" in this context is a profound gesture of affection, acceptance, and reconciliation, especially among men in the ancient Near East, signifying peace and unity. Joseph initiating this action underscored his active and willing forgiveness, not merely passive acceptance.
• all his brethren: This detail is crucial. It signifies the totality of Joseph's forgiveness. No brother, regardless of their individual level of involvement or instigation in his suffering, was excluded. It powerfully conveys a complete absolution, demonstrating the absence of any remaining resentment or partiality in Joseph’s heart.
• and wept upon them: (Hebrew: וַיֵּבְךְּ עֲלֵיהֶם, va-yevk al-le-hem) "Wept" indicates a profound, raw emotional outpouring—a blend of joy for the reunion, relief from years of separation and misunderstanding, and deep compassion for their fear and guilt. "Upon them" suggests a close embrace, indicating intimate physical contact and shared emotion during the act of weeping. This act, alongside kissing, made Joseph’s forgiveness palpably real and undeniable. This is one of several instances of Joseph's weeping in Genesis, consistently highlighting his deep humanity and genuine emotion (e.g., Gen 42:24, 43:30, 45:2, 45:14).
• and after that: (Hebrew: וְאַחֲרֵי-כֵן, ve-acharei-ken) This serves as a vital temporal marker, establishing a deliberate sequence of reconciliation. It emphasizes that the full, heartfelt emotional and physical demonstration of forgiveness occurred before open verbal dialogue resumed.
• his brethren talked with him: (Hebrew: דִּבְּרוּ אֶחָיו אִתּוֹ, dib-bru echa-v it-to) Before this point, the brothers could not freely or openly speak with Joseph due to fear, guilt, or the communication barrier he imposed. This phrase signifies the complete breaking down of all psychological and emotional barriers between them. With the terror and guilt alleviated by Joseph's powerful display of love and forgiveness, true, unhindered communication—a hallmark of restored relationship—became possible.

• "he kissed all his brethren and wept upon them": This entire phrase encapsulates the unreserved nature of Joseph's forgiveness and love. It’s an immersive, physical manifestation of reconciliation. The combination of intimate affection ("kissed") and deep emotional release ("wept") profoundly communicates that every past wrong has been entirely absorbed by an overwhelming surge of grace and acceptance. This sequence of actions ensured that the reconciliation was felt and understood on a deeply emotional level, beyond mere words.
• "and after that his brethren talked with him": The chronological progression implied here is spiritually significant. It teaches that deep relational healing often necessitates an emotional release and clear demonstration of love and forgiveness prior to effective verbal communication. Joseph's non-verbal actions cleared the fear, guilt, and suspicion, making genuine dialogue possible. This order emphasizes that the heart must first be reconciled for the lips to truly speak freely and honestly in a restored relationship.

Genesis 45 15 Bonus section

This poignant scene of reconciliation holds prophetic and typological significance for Christ's ministry. Joseph, wronged by his brothers yet ultimately saving them, foreshadows Jesus Christ. Just as Joseph embraced his brothers with forgiveness, demonstrating profound grace despite their sin, Christ extends radical forgiveness and embraces humanity despite its betrayal, drawing us into communion with God. The emotional depth and vulnerability shown by Joseph in this chapter, weeping frequently and openly, also counter societal norms of masculinity that suppress emotion. Joseph embodies a godly strength that integrates deep feeling with firm resolve and compassionate leadership. His choice to embrace reconciliation instead of retribution paved the way for the covenant family of Israel to flourish, ultimately leading to the lineage of Christ.

Genesis 45 15 Commentary

Genesis 45:15 encapsulates the complete and tangible restoration of Joseph's family. Following his revelation and declaration of God's redemptive purpose in his suffering, Joseph cemented this reconciliation not primarily through words, but through profoundly expressive physical actions. His act of kissing all his brothers demonstrates an unqualified forgiveness, transcending past grievances and extending complete acceptance to each one without discrimination. The accompanying tears, repeatedly noted in Joseph's life, signify the deep emotional processing—a release of pain, an outpouring of joy for their reunion, and profound compassion for their long-held fear and guilt. This intimate, unreserved display of affection initiated by Joseph broke down every remaining barrier. Critically, the sequence ("and after that...") highlights that these heartfelt physical expressions of reconciliation preceded the resumption of normal verbal communication. It was this powerful, unconditional outpouring of grace and love that truly freed the brothers from their terror and guilt, allowing them to finally speak openly and honestly with Joseph. This verse therefore powerfully illustrates that true reconciliation requires more than intellectual acknowledgment; it demands emotional healing, demonstrable love, and the lifting of all internal and external barriers for genuine relational restoration to occur.