Genesis 45:9 kjv

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

Genesis 45:9 nkjv

"Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph: "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry.

Genesis 45:9 niv

Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay.

Genesis 45:9 esv

Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.

Genesis 45:9 nlt

"Now hurry back to my father and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately!

Genesis 45 verses

Genesis 45 9 Meaning

Genesis 45:9 records Joseph's urgent instruction to his brothers, directing them to return to their father Jacob in Canaan. It reveals Joseph's true identity, asserting that his high position as "lord of all Egypt" was ordained by God. The verse is a powerful call for his family to immediately relocate to Egypt, signaling divine provision and reunion amidst severe famine.

Genesis 45 9 Context

Genesis chapter 45 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. Joseph has finally revealed his true identity to his brothers, ending years of separation, grief, and their guilt. Overcome with emotion and forgiveness, he reassures them that their past evil actions were, in fact, orchestrated by God for a greater purpose: to preserve life during a severe famine. The immediate context of verse 9 is Joseph's explicit instruction to his brothers to go back to Canaan, inform their aging father Jacob that Joseph is alive and powerful, and bring the entire family to dwell in Egypt. This reunion is crucial for the continuation of Abraham's lineage, providing a safe haven for the nascent nation of Israel to grow and multiply before their eventual exodus. Historically, Egypt was a dominant world power, and a direct invitation from its prime minister guaranteed safety and provision in a time of widespread drought and scarcity, a critical phase in the life of God's covenant people.

Genesis 45 9 Word analysis

• Hurry (מַהֲרוּ - maharu): An imperative verb conveying great urgency and immediacy. It reflects Joseph's intense desire for reunion with his father and the seriousness of the famine situation, allowing no delay in gathering the entire family for salvation.
• and go up (וַעֲלוּ - va'alu): An imperative verb meaning "ascend" or "go up." This is geographically accurate, as Canaan was at a higher elevation than Egypt, and metaphorically suggests the significance of bringing the news to the "head" of the family, Jacob.
• to my father (אֶל-אָבִי - el 'avi): Direct address emphasizing the intimate familial relationship. After decades of presumed loss and the deep sorrow Jacob endured, Joseph's first concern is to reach his father, signifying reconciliation and restoration within the family unit.
• and say to him (וֶאֱמַרְתֶּם - ve'emartem): An instruction to deliver a specific message, carrying the weight of Joseph's authority as Pharaoh's viceroy. The "you" is plural, addressed to all his brothers as messengers.
• ‘Thus says (כֹּה-אָמַר - koh 'amar): A formal introductory phrase often used for authoritative proclamations, including divine pronouncements from God (e.g., in prophetic books) or royal decrees. Its use by Joseph elevates his message to his father, adding solemnity and undeniable authority, conveying that his words are both personal and carrying the weight of his high office, divinely ordained.
• your son Joseph (בִּנְךָ יוֹסֵף - bincha Yoseph): A tender but vital self-identification, reassuring Jacob that his long-lost, presumed-dead son is alive and is the speaker of these monumental words. It re-establishes the personal connection after decades.
• God has made me (אֱלֹהִים שָׂמָנִי - Elohim samani): Crucial theological declaration. Joseph attributes his astounding rise to power not to his own efforts, skill, or human favor, but directly to God (Elohim). This emphasizes divine sovereignty and providence, countering any naturalistic explanation and reflecting a monotheistic worldview distinct from surrounding pagan cultures. It underscores that his position serves a divine purpose, preserving life.
• lord (אָדוֹן - adon): The term signifying master or ruler. In this context, it highlights Joseph's supreme authority and power within Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
• of all Egypt (לְכָל-מִצְרָיִם - lechol-Mitzrayim): Specifies the extent of his dominion. He possesses total administrative and governing power over the most powerful nation in the region during the famine, confirming his ability to provide safety and sustenance for his family.
• Come down (רְדָה - redah): An imperative verb meaning "descend" or "come down." This again refers to the geographical descent from the highlands of Canaan to the lower Nile Delta region of Egypt. It is a direct invitation, signaling hospitality and assurance of security.
• to me (אֵלַי - 'elai): A personal and heartfelt invitation, expressing Joseph's longing for physical proximity and restored family bonds after so many years.
• do not tarry (אַל-תֵּאָחַר - 'al te'acher): An emphatic negative command, "do not delay" or "do not hesitate." It reiterates the urgency previously conveyed by "hurry," reinforcing the critical nature of the journey due to the continuing famine and Joseph's profound desire for his family's swift arrival.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Hurry and go up to my father and say to him": This opening phrase conveys an immediate and pressing mission. It demonstrates Joseph's deep love and concern for Jacob, and his urgent need for Jacob to know the truth and move to safety. The journey back to Jacob is portrayed as the utmost priority.
• "‘Thus says your son Joseph: God has made me lord of all Egypt.’": This is the core message the brothers are to convey. "Thus says" lends immense authority to Joseph's words, similar to a prophetic declaration. His self-identification as "your son Joseph" brings a profoundly emotional and personal element, while the explicit statement that "God has made me lord of all Egypt" highlights divine sovereignty as the sole reason for his exalted status. It firmly grounds his position and the entire plan in God's orchestrating hand, making it a powerful testament against the polytheistic powers of Egypt and demonstrating that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the supreme ruler even over the world's greatest empire.
• "Come down to me; do not tarry.": This is a direct, imperative command and invitation, expressing Joseph's deep yearning for physical reunion and his decisive action to secure his family's well-being. The "do not tarry" stresses the remaining five years of famine and the absolute necessity of quick action for survival, underpinning Joseph's compassion and the divine imperative behind the migration.

Genesis 45 9 Bonus section

The journey from Canaan to Egypt described here symbolically reverses the typical flow of covenant blessing. Usually, blessing flows from God through the chosen line in the Promised Land. Here, for a time, survival and multiplication must happen outside it, in a foreign land. This temporary "exile" serves God's purposes in several ways: isolating the family for rapid numerical growth, protecting them from assimilation with local Canaanite cultures, and ultimately setting the stage for a spectacular display of God's power in the Exodus. Joseph's statement also has an understated polemic against the Egyptian pantheon. While the Egyptians attributed success to their gods, Joseph unequivocally declares the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Elohim) as the sole source of his authority and the provider of all sustenance, directly challenging the notion of Pharaoh's divine power or the effectiveness of local deities during the famine. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic rescue of Jacob and his house, not by Joseph's personal cleverness, but by God working through Joseph as His chosen instrument.

Genesis 45 9 Commentary

Genesis 45:9 encapsulates the culmination of years of suffering, the unveiling of divine providence, and the deep emotional reality of a fractured family being reunited. Joseph, having revealed his identity, wastes no time in giving concrete instructions rooted in his unshakeable faith in God's plan. His assertion, "God has made me lord of all Egypt," is not a boast of power but a humble acknowledgment of divine sovereignty. It serves as a profound theological statement to his brothers, explaining the incredible circumstances of his life as God's doing for a greater redemptive purpose—preserving the lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come. The urgency expressed in "Hurry" and "do not tarry" is driven by both the harsh realities of the ongoing famine and Joseph's fervent desire for his beloved father to witness God's hand at work and to join him in the place of provision. This verse initiates the strategic move of Jacob's entire household into Egypt, a necessary stage for the development of the nation of Israel, showcasing how God often leads His people through unexpected detours to fulfill His promises, turning past hurts into instruments of future blessing.