Genesis 45:2 kjv

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Genesis 45:2 nkjv

And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.

Genesis 45:2 niv

And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.

Genesis 45:2 esv

And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it.

Genesis 45:2 nlt

Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh's palace.

Genesis 45 verses

Genesis 45 2 Meaning

Genesis 45:2 describes Joseph's intense emotional outburst when he reveals his identity to his brothers. His loud weeping was not contained, reaching the ears of his Egyptian servants, who in turn informed others within Pharaoh's administration and court. This public display underscores the profound depth of his pent-up emotion—a mixture of pain from past injustice, longing for his family, and the joy of imminent reconciliation—making a significant impression in the royal city of Memphis/Avaris. It sets the stage for the dramatic revelation and subsequent events.

Genesis 45 2 Context

Genesis chapter 45 marks the climax of Joseph's narrative in Egypt, occurring after he has subjected his brothers to a series of tests to gauge their repentance and character. Having previously seen Judah's sacrificial plea for Benjamin, Joseph could no longer maintain his disguise. Verse 2 specifically describes the powerful and audible weeping that Joseph could not suppress. This public, unrestrained outpouring of emotion signifies the breaking of a long-held dam of sorrow, loneliness, and longing that Joseph endured for over two decades. His exalted position as the second-in-command of Egypt meant his personal actions, especially such a dramatic display, would inevitably attract immediate attention from the powerful court, leading directly to the full revelation of his identity and the subsequent reconciliation with his family. Historically, Pharaoh's court was meticulous; Joseph's unique power within it made his actions significant political events.

Genesis 45 2 Word analysis

• And he cried aloud (וַיִּתֵּן קוֹל - vayyitten qol):
  • vayyitten (from natan) means "and he gave" or "and he put."
  • qol means "voice," "sound," or "noise."
  • Literally, "and he gave a voice," or "lifted up his voice." This is a forceful, intentional emission of sound, not a silent sob. It indicates an uncontainable emotional release. Joseph, a master of self-control in previous chapters, breaks down completely. His pain and joy manifest audibly.
• so that the Egyptians heard it (וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ מִצְרַיִם - vayyishm'u Mitzrayim):
  • vayyishm'u (from shama') means "and they heard." This signifies more than just perceiving sound; it implies an understanding or recognition of the nature of the sound – intense, personal weeping.
  • Mitzrayim refers to "Egypt" or "Egyptians." This indicates that not just his personal attendants in the immediate vicinity heard, but the sound traveled further, suggesting a public and impactful scale, fitting for a chief vizier's chambers. This suggests the servants and officials outside the room.
• and the household of Pharaoh heard it (וּבֵית פַּרְעֹה שָׁמָע - uveit Par'oh shama'):
  • uveit means "and house of." Par'oh is the title "Pharaoh."
  • This phrase denotes the king's official residence and staff, including his administrative and political advisors. The news quickly spread to the highest echelons of Egyptian government. It emphasizes Joseph's stature and the momentous nature of his emotional breakdown and the events following. This highlights divine providence; Joseph's actions have implications not just for his family, but for the entire nation where he served. The powerful ruler, Pharaoh, is about to be directly involved in Joseph's personal family affairs, something extraordinary.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he cried aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it": This phrase highlights the public and profound nature of Joseph's grief and overwhelming emotion. It signals a dramatic turning point, where personal agony overflows into the public sphere. The term "Egyptians" indicates that the incident was not confined to a private space but had immediate witnesses beyond his family.
• "and the household of Pharaoh heard it": This extends the reach of Joseph's weeping to the most influential sector of Egyptian society. It signifies the immense impact and high profile of Joseph. This incident was immediately brought to the attention of the king's own people, ensuring Pharaoh's quick awareness and response. It underscores how the narrative of Joseph is divinely orchestrated to intersect with the grand historical stage of Egypt.

Genesis 45 2 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "cried aloud" (vayyitten qol) can also be translated as "uttered a cry." The usage here is distinct from a casual sound, emphasizing the intensity and perhaps even the distress in Joseph's cry, despite it leading to a joyous outcome. It is a loud wail, signaling profound anguish and emotional release. The immediate notification of Pharaoh's household underscores the intricate intermingling of Joseph's personal life with his national administrative role. The spiritual implication is profound: just as Joseph's identity, long hidden, is dramatically revealed to those who betrayed him, so too Christ, rejected by His own, will one day be fully revealed in His glory to all, including those who once spurned Him. This scene illustrates the reality that God works through real human emotions and circumstances, no matter how chaotic or sorrowful, to fulfill His good purposes, often to the surprise and impact of the wider world.

Genesis 45 2 Commentary

Genesis 45:2 marks a pivotal and deeply human moment in Joseph's life. After years of veiled power and concealed identity, he is utterly overwhelmed. His cry is not just a personal outburst; it's a testament to the cumulative pain of abandonment, the burden of his secret, and the surging joy of reconciliation. The public nature of his weeping, explicitly heard by Egyptians and Pharaoh's household, serves several functions: it validates the depth of his suffering and ultimate release, highlights his exalted position where personal actions ripple through the highest levels of power, and sets the scene for Pharaoh's immediate involvement and blessing, paving the way for Israel's journey into Egypt as divinely purposed. It reveals a God who works through raw human emotion, even bringing private family matters into the full public view for a grander redemptive plan.