Genesis 45:25 kjv

And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

Genesis 45:25 nkjv

Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father.

Genesis 45:25 niv

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 45:25 esv

So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob.

Genesis 45:25 nlt

And they left Egypt and returned to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 45 verses

Meaning

Genesis 45:25 describes the journey of Jacob's sons from Egypt to Canaan, specifically their arrival at their father Jacob's home, where they relayed the astonishing news that Joseph was not only alive but was also the ruler of all Egypt. This verse marks the physical transition that precedes the monumental revelation to Jacob, culminating years of sorrow and establishing the crucial next step in God's redemptive plan for Israel.

Cross References

Context

Genesis chapter 45 marks a profound turning point in the Jacob-Joseph narrative. Up to this point, Joseph's brothers have been deeply remorseful and unknowingly interacting with their estranged sibling. In verses 1-15, Joseph dramatically reveals his identity to his brothers, bringing tears, explanations of God's providence, and commands for his father Jacob and the whole family to come to Egypt to escape the severe famine. Pharaoh, learning of this, endorses Joseph's plan, providing wagons, provisions, and the best of the land of Egypt for Jacob's family (Gen 45:16-24). Verse 25 acts as the crucial bridge: it depicts the immediate implementation of Joseph's instructions as the brothers depart from the Egyptian court, carrying the astonishing news and tangible evidence of their brother's power back to their long-grieving father in the land of Canaan. Historically, this journey was significant, symbolizing the first step towards Israel's temporary residence in Egypt, a stay that would span over 400 years, fulfilling Abrahamic prophecies (Gen 15:13). For Jacob, it signified an end to decades of deep mourning for his presumed-dead son, introducing an unparalleled surge of joy and hope into his aged heart.

Word analysis

• וַיַּעֲלוּ (Vayyāʿalū): "And they went up."
  • This Hebrew verb implies an "ascent" or "going up," geographically logical as Canaan sits higher in elevation than Egypt, particularly the Nile Delta region where Joseph resided.
  • Signifies a definitive, intentional departure and movement back towards their homeland. It is not just "they left" but "they ascended," marking a progress in their journey.
• מִמִּצְרָֽיִם (Mimmisráyim): "From Egypt."
  • "Egypt" (מִצְרָיִם, Mitzrayim) represents the land of Pharaoh's power and Joseph's exaltation, a place of temporary refuge but also future oppression for Israel.
  • This departure marks a distinct transition, moving from a foreign land back towards the land of promise, although temporarily.
• אַרְצָה (ʾArṣâ): "To the land."
  • Indicates the destination; a general term but clarified by the following word.
  • Connects the action of going with a specific geographic location.
• כְּנָֽעַן (Kənāʿan): "Canaan."
  • The Promised Land given to Abraham and his descendants. It is their ancestral home, where Jacob lives.
  • Returning here underscores the foundational covenant relationship between God, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the land.
• וַיָּבֹאוּ (Vayyāvōʾū): "And they came."
  • Another verb of movement, specifically signifying arrival and appearance at a specific location, indicating the successful completion of their journey.
• אֶל־יַעֲקֹב (ʾEl-yaʿăqōv): "To Jacob."
  • Points directly to the patriarch, the ultimate recipient of the momentous news. It emphasizes the personal, direct encounter.
• אֲבִיהֶֽם׃ (ʾAvīhem): "Their father."
  • This possessive suffix reinforces the family relationship and the emotional weight of the impending revelation for their father. It highlights filial duty and the deep familial bonds that are central to the narrative.
• וַיַּגִּדוּ (Vayyaggîdû): "And they told/reported."
  • The crucial verb signifying the act of conveying the information. It implies a detailed account, not just a casual mention. The urgency and magnitude of the news would demand a thorough report.
• לוֹ (Lô): "To him."
  • A simple pronoun referring to Jacob, emphasizing that the news was directed specifically to him.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• וַיַּעֲלוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם אַרְצָה כְּנָעַן (And they went up from Egypt to the land of Canaan): This phrase encapsulates the arduous and significant journey. It represents the reversal of the past travel by the brothers, who had journeyed to Egypt out of necessity. Now, they return as messengers of miraculous news, crossing a significant geographical and emotional distance. It is a journey of bringing relief back home.
• וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל־יַעֲקֹב אֲבִיהֶם (and they came to Jacob their father): This part focuses on the emotional and familial aspect. Their arrival signifies the direct confrontation with Jacob's long-held grief. The emphasis on "their father" underscores the personal and deeply relational impact of the news they carry. It sets the stage for the dramatic revelation and Jacob's subsequent emotional response.
• וַיַּגִּדוּ לוֹ (and they told him): This phrase captures the essential action of the verse. It is the verbal act of communicating the unbelievable truth to Jacob. It is the moment where years of silent, unspoken anguish for a lost son are met with an unexpected and profound truth, pivoting the narrative from mourning to the possibility of joy. The simplicity of "told him" belies the earth-shattering content of that report.

Commentary

Genesis 45:25 is a simple yet powerful transitional verse. It narrates the pivotal journey of Jacob's sons back to Canaan, carrying the life-altering news of Joseph's survival and sovereignty. This brief account emphasizes the speed and purpose of their return from the opulence of Pharaoh's court to their patriarch's humble abode, bearing the physical evidence of wagons and provisions as tangible proof (implied from previous verses). The verse, though terse, holds immense weight as it ushers in the climax of Jacob's personal struggle and God's larger providential plan. For Jacob, who had clung to deep sorrow for years, this news would shatter his perceived reality. The physical act of returning home sets the stage for an extraordinary encounter where despair would be challenged by hope, ultimately leading to the reunification of the entire family and the preservation of God's chosen people, ensuring their growth into a mighty nation.

Bonus section

This verse subtly underscores the theme of God's overarching providence. Just as Joseph, whom they had deemed lost or dead, was found alive and ruling, God often works in hidden ways to bring about His perfect will, turning apparent tragedy into ultimate good. This "good news" carried by the brothers can be seen as a precursor to the concept of the Gospel ("good news") in the New Testament, where messengers bring tidings of life from apparent death (Jesus' resurrection). The skepticism that Jacob initially expresses (Gen 45:26) also highlights a common human reaction to incredibly good or unbelievable news, especially after long periods of suffering or resignation.