Genesis 45:28 kjv

And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Genesis 45:28 nkjv

Then Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Genesis 45:28 niv

And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Genesis 45:28 esv

And Israel said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Genesis 45:28 nlt

Then Jacob exclaimed, "It must be true! My son Joseph is alive! I must go and see him before I die."

Genesis 45 verses

Genesis 45 28 Meaning

Genesis 45:28 captures Israel’s profound reaction to the news that Joseph, his long-lost son, is alive. It signifies an overwhelming sense of relief, satisfaction, and renewed purpose. For years, Jacob (now Israel) had mourned Joseph, believing him dead. This verse marks the triumphant return of hope and joy, confirming divine providence and inspiring Israel to make the journey to Egypt to reunite with his beloved son before his own passing. It speaks to the deep emotional and spiritual impact of God’s redemptive work in a personal family tragedy.

Genesis 45 28 Context

Genesis chapter 45 marks the powerful revelation of Joseph to his brothers. After a period of testing and an emotional appeal from Judah, Joseph could no longer restrain himself and disclosed his identity to his brothers. He immediately moved to reassure them that God's providence was behind his ascent to power in Egypt, seeing it as God's plan to preserve the family line through a severe famine. The brothers, initially stunned, then hastened to bring their aged father Jacob (Israel) the unbelievable news. Joseph provided them with wagons, provisions, and changes of clothing, assuring them of plentiful provision in Egypt. This verse, Gen 45:28, records Jacob's response upon hearing the confirmation of Joseph's survival and status, pivoting the entire narrative toward the reunion in Egypt, which would lead to the development of Israel as a nation. It concludes decades of Jacob’s grief and foreshadows the future descent into Egypt.

Genesis 45 28 Word analysis

• And Israel said: Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר יִשְׂרָאֵל (vaiyomer Yisrael). The use of "Israel" instead of "Jacob" is significant. Jacob was given the name "Israel" after wrestling with God (Gen 32:28). It often highlights a spiritual maturity, a moment of profound revelation, or a connection to God's covenant. Here, it suggests that Jacob's grief is giving way to his identity as God’s wrestling prince, now finding peace and spiritual resolution. It marks a moment of divine peace after years of tribulation, aligning with the "prince with God" aspect of his name.
• It is enough: Hebrew: רַב (rav). This word means "much," "great," "sufficient," or "abundant." In this context, it conveys profound relief and satisfaction, more than merely "enough." It indicates that the news is overwhelmingly satisfying and completely sufficient to banish his long-standing sorrow. It speaks to the completeness of the unexpected joy.
• Joseph my son: The possessive "my son" underscores the deep personal relationship and affection, emphasizing the bond that grief had seemingly severed.
• is still alive: Hebrew: חָי (chai), meaning "alive," "living." This contrasts starkly with his earlier conviction that Joseph had been "torn to pieces" (Gen 37:33). The sheer, life-altering impact of "alive" after so long is central. It signals the reversal of a presumed death and the reintroduction of hope where there was none.
• I will go and see him: Hebrew: אֵלְכָה וְאֶרְאֶנּוּ (elchah ve'er'enu). A firm resolve and immediate intention. The long period of inactivity due to sorrow is broken by this renewed purpose. "See him" conveys a deeply personal and experiential desire, not just knowledge.
• before I die: Hebrew: בְּטֶרֶם אָמוּת (b'terem amut). This phrase reflects his advanced age and the final, ultimate desire of a patriarch—to reunite with his beloved son and receive satisfaction before passing on. It grounds his spiritual joy in the reality of his mortality, making the reunion even more precious.

Words-group analysis:

• "Israel said, 'It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive.': This segment captures the profound, immediate, and overwhelming emotional and spiritual impact of the news. The shift from Jacob's deep mourning to "Israel's" utterance of "Rav" (much/abundant) signifies a momentous spiritual and psychological restoration. It shows how truth from God, though unexpected, utterly transforms despair into abundant joy.
• "I will go and see him before I die.": This segment translates the emotional surge into immediate, determined action. It reveals a renewed lease on life, driven by a deeply personal and deeply human longing. The prospect of reunion provides purpose for the remaining days of his life, turning potential final despair into hopeful anticipation. This illustrates how divine intervention can restore purpose and vitality even in old age.

Genesis 45 28 Bonus section

• The phrase "It is enough" (רַב) can also imply a sense of abundance or richness beyond mere sufficiency, indicating that the joy Jacob felt was immeasurable.
• The dramatic reversal of fortune for Jacob—from believing his most beloved son was dead to discovering he was the savior of a nation—is a profound testament to God's sovereignty and capacity to orchestrate good from apparent evil or loss (compare Gen 50:20).
• This verse sets the stage for the pivotal migration of Jacob's entire family to Egypt, a critical step in the formation of the nation of Israel, as promised in the Abrahamic and Jacobite covenants. It underscores how personal family events are often intertwined with God's broader redemptive plan for His people.
• Jacob's revitalization is physical as well as emotional and spiritual. The weight of sorrow lifted gives him the energy and determination to undertake the journey, even in his old age (he would have been around 130 years old at this time).

Genesis 45 28 Commentary

Genesis 45:28 serves as the culmination of decades of sorrow for Jacob. The terse, emphatic declaration, "It is enough," followed by the incredible news of Joseph's survival, captures the overwhelming relief and satisfaction that floods the patriarch's soul. His belief in Joseph's death had haunted him, turning his final years into a prolonged lament. Now, God's surprising providence reveals not only that Joseph is alive but also that he is the ruler over all Egypt, ensuring the family's survival through the famine. The change in the name from "Jacob" to "Israel" signifies a moment of spiritual clarity and the restoration of his divine identity, now able to experience God's miraculous reversal of fortune. His immediate resolve to "go and see him before I die" underscores the profound significance of this personal reunion as the ultimate blessing and purpose for his remaining days, a testament to God's faithfulness even in the darkest valleys. It highlights that God orchestrates human circumstances for His redemptive purposes, turning personal tragedy into collective blessing for His covenant people.