Genesis 45:23 kjv
And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
Genesis 45:23 nkjv
And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey.
Genesis 45:23 niv
And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.
Genesis 45:23 esv
To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey.
Genesis 45:23 nlt
He also sent his father ten male donkeys loaded with the finest products of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other supplies he would need on his journey.
Genesis 45 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 45:27 | When they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them... | Jacob believes after seeing the wagons, proving Joseph's words. |
| Gen 46:5-7 | Jacob set out from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel carried Jacob... | Jacob's journey to Egypt, facilitated by Joseph's wagons and provision. |
| Gen 50:20 | As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good... | Divine providence turning apparent harm into saving provision. |
| Exod 20:12 | "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long... | Joseph's act demonstrates honor and care for his father. |
| Deut 8:3 | ...that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone... | While provision is physical, God's Word sustains; points to God as ultimate provider. |
| Neh 9:21 | For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing... | God's provision for His people in their wilderness journey. |
| Ps 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. | Assurance of God's abundant provision and care for His own. |
| Prov 28:27 | Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes... | Generosity often leads to continued provision, a principle Joseph exemplified. |
| Isa 46:10 | declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet.. | God's sovereign plan orchestrating events for Joseph's family. |
| Matt 6:26 | Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into... | Jesus teaches God's meticulous care and provision for creation and believers. |
| Matt 15:4 | For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever... | Reiteration of the commandment to honor and care for parents. |
| Luke 15:20 | ...While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt... | The father's loving welcome and provision for his reconciled son (Prodigal Son). |
| John 20:27 | Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands... | Thomas required tangible proof to believe, similar to Jacob needing the gifts. |
| Rom 5:10 | For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death... | Reconciliation and new relationship, as seen in Joseph's family reunion. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... | God's overarching purpose in all circumstances, even hardship and separation. |
| 2 Cor 5:18 | All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself... | God initiating reconciliation, paralleled by Joseph reaching out to his family. |
| 2 Cor 9:8 | And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all... | God's ability to provide abundantly for every good work, reflecting Joseph's abundance. |
| Eph 4:28 | Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work... | Principle of hard work and providing for family needs and for others. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory.. | Assurance of God's perfect provision for all needs. |
| 1 Tim 5:8 | But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members.. | Emphasizes the duty of believers to provide for their own families. |
| Heb 11:21 | By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph... | Jacob's ultimate faith in God's promises concerning his descendants. |
| 1 Jn 5:13 | I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God... | Providing assurance (tangible and spiritual) of truth. |
Genesis 45 verses
Genesis 45 23 Meaning
Genesis 45:23 describes the significant gifts Joseph sent to his aged father Jacob in Canaan. These provisions included valuable goods from Egypt, as well as essential food supplies like grain, bread, and provisions for the journey. The sending of these gifts served as tangible proof of Joseph's wealth, high status, and sincere invitation, aiming to convince Jacob that his long-lost son was indeed alive and well, providing for his entire family.
Genesis 45 23 Context
Genesis chapter 45 records the climactic moment of Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers. Overcome with emotion and divine purpose, Joseph tells his stunned brothers not to be distressed, for God sent him ahead to preserve their lives (Gen 45:5, 7). He instructs them to return quickly to Canaan and bring Jacob, their entire families, and all their possessions to Egypt, promising to sustain them during the remaining five years of famine (Gen 45:9-11). Pharaoh himself endorsed Joseph’s plan, offering the "best of the land of Egypt" (Gen 45:18). Verse 23 details the practical and symbolic expression of Joseph's generosity and status—gifts intended to convince the skeptical Jacob of the unbelievable truth of Joseph's survival and power. The lavish provision was not just sustenance but an emphatic statement of love, reconciliation, and divine care, overcoming Jacob's deep sorrow and proving God's faithful hand throughout his family's trials.
Genesis 45 23 Word analysis
- And to his father: A direct and personal act. This emphasizes the filial piety of Joseph and his profound respect for Jacob. The recipient is the patriarch, the one who deeply mourned him.
- he sent: Implies an intentional dispatch, using his authority as vizier of Egypt. It signifies command and care from a position of power.
- these: Refers specifically to the list of goods that follows. This implies concrete, visible evidence.
- ten donkeys: A common beast of burden in the ancient Near East. Ten signifies a substantial number, representing significant transport capacity. This shows the practical means for transferring wealth.
- loaded: Hebrew
nasa(נשׂא). Implies bearing a heavy weight, indicating a full load. This denotes abundance and generosity, not just a token gift. - with the good things of Egypt: Hebrew
tōwḇ mi·miṣ·ra·yim(טוּב מִמִּצְרָֽיִם). Refers to the best produce, luxuries, and desirable items of the land. It communicates Joseph’s high status, ability to procure premium goods, and the blessing of living in Egypt's prosperity despite the famine. This wasn't basic aid but a symbol of his honor and favor. - and ten female donkeys: Separate from the male donkeys. Female donkeys were often used for riding or for carrying lighter, but still essential, loads, including people. They could also signify a family's travel entourage.
- loaded: Again, signifies abundant carrying capacity, demonstrating lavish provision.
- with grain and bread and provision: Hebrew
ubar lehem we'okel(וְלֶ֥חֶם וְאֹכֶל). Grain (bar) for planting or grinding, bread (leḥem) as basic sustenance, andokel(food) as general provision for the journey. This part of the gift highlights practical necessities for travel and sustained life during famine, addressing Jacob's immediate and future needs for himself and his family. - for his journey: Hebrew
la-derekh(לַדָּ֑רֶךְ). This specifies the direct purpose: sustenance for the anticipated journey from Canaan to Egypt, a substantial distance. It shows thoughtful and practical care on Joseph’s part.
Genesis 45 23 Bonus section
The nature of the gifts—the best of Egypt, and ample sustenance—serves not only as proof for Jacob but also as a demonstration of Joseph's fulfillment of Jacob's original dreams (Gen 37). While the initial dreams showed Joseph receiving homage, here he is providing for his entire family, symbolizing his ultimate role as sustainer under God's sovereignty. The choice of specific animals and provisions reflects ancient Near Eastern practices of gift-giving between heads of state or powerful individuals, further solidifying Joseph’s immense power and respect. This verse highlights the theme of God's extraordinary provision through human agents, turning circumstances of abandonment and famine into a path for preservation and flourishing. The supplies for the journey subtly foreshadow God's continuous provision for His people in their wilderness journey centuries later, where bread and other provisions were miraculously given.
Genesis 45 23 Commentary
Genesis 45:23 marks a pivotal moment of practical provision and symbolic reassurance. Joseph's act of sending lavish gifts serves multiple crucial functions: it offers undeniable proof of his identity and high standing, convinces Jacob of his truthfulness and sincerity, and practically enables the family's migration to Egypt. The specific gifts—the "good things of Egypt" and substantial food supplies—were a physical manifestation of divine provision. Joseph, empowered by God, became the channel through which Jacob's family would be sustained and grow into a nation. This generous offering moved beyond mere reconciliation; it solidified the transfer of power and care from Joseph, embodying his role as preserver chosen by God. The care for Jacob's journey underscores Joseph's foresight and his commitment to his family's welfare, demonstrating a restoration of relationship and purpose that could only come through God's miraculous intervention and plan for redemption.