Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

Genesis 50:18

RepentanceHumility

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

17 ‘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.

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?

20 As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Read the whole chapter

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
His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”
KJV
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
WEB
His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
ASV
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.
DARBY
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face, and said, Behold, we are thy bondmen.
BLB
And his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we [are] your servants.”
ÅB
Siden kom også hans brødre selv og falt ned for ham og sa: Se, vi vil være dine tjenere.
OTB
Da kom også hans brødre og bøyde seg ned for ham og sa: “Se, vi er dine tjenere.”
B1930
Siden kom også hans brødre selv og falt ned for ham og sa: Se, vi vil være dine tjenere.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 37:7–11

    We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.”

    Read in context

  • Genesis 44:14

    When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 45:3

    Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 27:29

    May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”

    Read in context

  • Genesis 42:6

    Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.

    Read in context