Genesis 50:17

Forgiveness Guilt and conscience Repentance Forgiving others

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.”

¹⁶ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded,

‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

¹⁸ His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”

¹⁹ But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
KJV: So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
WEB: ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
ASV: So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil. And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
DARBY: Thus shall ye speak to Joseph: Oh forgive, I pray thee, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin! for they did evil to thee. And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
BLB: ‘Thus you⁺ shall say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin, for they did to you evil.’ And now, please forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

ÅB: Så skal dere si til Josef: Tilgi, kjære, dine brødres misgjerning og deres synd, at de har gjort ille mot deg! Så tilgi nå oss, som også tjener din fars Gud, vår misgjerning! Og Josef gråt da de talte slik til ham.
OTB: ‘Dette skal dere si til Josef: Jeg ber deg, tilgi dine brødres overtredelser og deres synd, for de behandlet deg dårlig.’ Nå, vær så snill å tilgi overtredelsene til din fars Guds tjenere.” Josef gråt da de talte til ham.
B1930: Så skal I si til Josef: Tilgi, kjære, dine brødres misgjerning og deres synd, at de har gjort ille mot dig! Så tilgi nu oss, som også tjener din fars Gud, vår misgjerning! Og Josef gråt da de talte således til ham.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Matthew 6:14–15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Read in context
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Read in context
Luke 17:3–4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Read in context
Genesis 45:4–5
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!
Read in context
Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Read in context
Genesis 49:25
by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb.
Read in context
Genesis 45:8
Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Read in context
Psalms 21:11
Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail.
Read in context