Genesis 45:9
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
“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!

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
“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.

New American Standard Bible
Hurry and go up 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, do not delay.

NASB 1995
“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 delay.

NASB 1977
“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 delay.

Legacy Standard Bible
Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God has set me as lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay.

Amplified Bible
Hurry and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘Your son Joseph says this to you: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay.

Christian Standard Bible
“Return quickly 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 without delay.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Return quickly 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 without delay.

American Standard Version
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;

Contemporary English Version
Now hurry back and tell my father that his son Joseph says, "God has made me ruler of Egypt. Come here as quickly as you can.

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Hurry back to my father, and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says, "God has made me lord of Egypt. Come here to me right away!

Good News Translation
"Now hurry back to my father and tell him that this is what his son Joseph says: 'God has made me ruler of all Egypt; come to me without delay.

International Standard Version
So hurry up, go back to my father, and tell him that his son Joseph tells him, 'God has made me master of all of Egypt. Hurry up! Come live with me!'

Majority Standard Bible
Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ?This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.

NET Bible
Now go up to my father quickly and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not delay!

New Heart English Bible
Now hurry and go up to my father and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says," God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Do not delay.

Webster's Bible Translation
Haste ye, and return to my father, and say to him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; delay not:

World English Bible
Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Hurry, and go up to my father, then you have said to him, Thus said your son Joseph: God has set me for lord to all Egypt; come down to me, do not stay,

Young's Literal Translation
'Haste, and go up unto my father, then ye have said to him, Thus said Joseph thy son, God hath set me for lord to all Egypt; come down unto me, stay not,

Smith's Literal Translation
Hasten and go up to my father, and say to him, Thus said thy son Joseph, God placed me for lord to all Egypt; come down to me, thou wilt not remain.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Make haste, and go ye up to my father, and say to him: Thus saith thy son Joseph: God hath made me lord of the whole land of Egypt: come down to me, linger not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Hurry, and go up to my father, and say to him: ‘Your son Joseph commands this: God has caused me to be lord of the entire land of Egypt. Come down to me, do not delay,

New American Bible
“Hurry back, then, to my father and tell him: ‘Thus says your son Joseph: God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me without delay.

New Revised Standard Version
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 delay.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Hasten, and go up to my father, and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord over all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Quickly go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son, Yoseph, ‘God has made me the Lord over all Egypt; come down to me and do not tarry:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hasten 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hasten, therefore, and go up to my father, and say to him, These things saith thy son Joseph; God has made me lord of all the land of Egypt; come down therefore to me, and tarry not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Sends for His Father
9Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. 10You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own.…

Cross References
Genesis 46:3-4
“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. / I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

Genesis 50:20-21
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. / Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

Exodus 1:1-5
These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: / Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; / Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; ...

Acts 7:14-15
Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all. / So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died.

Genesis 47:11-12
So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. / Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.

Genesis 15:13-14
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.

Genesis 28:13-15
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 41:39-41
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” / Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 42:1-2
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” / “Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

Genesis 43:8-9
And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children. / I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life.

Genesis 44:33-34
Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers. / For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm him.”

Exodus 3:7-10
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them. ...

Exodus 12:40-41
Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. / At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.

Psalm 105:17-23
He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, / until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. ...

Isaiah 46:10-11
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ / I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.


Treasury of Scripture

Haste you, and go up to my father, and say to him, Thus said your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt: come down to me, tarry not:

Thus saith.

Genesis 45:26-28
And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not…

come.

Genesis 45:13,19,20
And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither…

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Delay Egypt Haste Hasten Hurry Joseph Quickly Ruler Straight Tarry Wait
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Delay Egypt Haste Hasten Hurry Joseph Quickly Ruler Straight Tarry Wait
Genesis 45
1. Joseph makes himself known to his brothers.
5. He comforts them in God's providence.
9. He sends for his father.
16. Pharaoh confirms it.
21. Joseph furnishes then for their journey.
25. Jacob is revived with the news.














Now return quickly
The urgency in Joseph's command reflects the deep longing and emotional intensity of the moment. The Hebrew root for "quickly" (מַהֵר, maher) conveys a sense of haste and immediacy. This urgency is not just about speed but also about the importance of the message. Joseph, having been separated from his family for so long, is eager to reunite and provide for them during the famine. This reflects the biblical theme of reconciliation and restoration, emphasizing the importance of family unity and God's providential timing.

to my father
Joseph's reference to "my father" highlights the personal and familial nature of the message. Despite his high position in Egypt, Joseph's identity remains deeply connected to his family and heritage. This phrase underscores the biblical principle of honoring one's parents, as seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12). It also reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Hebrew society, where the father was the central figure in the family.

and tell him
The act of telling or communicating is crucial in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew verb for "tell" (אָמַר, amar) is often used in contexts where important messages or divine revelations are conveyed. Here, Joseph entrusts his brothers with the responsibility of delivering a life-changing message to their father, highlighting the power of words to heal and restore relationships.

This is what your son Joseph says
Joseph's self-identification as "your son" is significant. It reaffirms his relationship with Jacob, despite the years of separation and the brothers' betrayal. This phrase is a declaration of identity and belonging, reminding Jacob of the son he thought he had lost. It also serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving Joseph's life and fulfilling His promises.

God has made me lord of all Egypt
This statement acknowledges God's sovereignty and providence in Joseph's rise to power. The Hebrew word for "lord" (אָדוֹן, adon) signifies authority and leadership. Joseph attributes his success not to his own abilities but to God's divine intervention. This reflects the biblical theme of God's control over human affairs and His ability to exalt the humble (1 Samuel 2:7-8).

Come down to me
The invitation to "come down" is both literal and symbolic. Geographically, Egypt is south of Canaan, so Jacob would physically descend to reach Joseph. Symbolically, it represents a call to leave behind the past and embrace a new future under God's provision. This mirrors the spiritual journey of faith, where believers are called to leave their old lives and follow God's leading.

without delay
The phrase "without delay" reinforces the urgency of the situation. The Hebrew root (אַל, al) for "without" suggests a negation or prohibition, emphasizing that there should be no hesitation. This urgency is driven by the ongoing famine and Joseph's desire to care for his family. It serves as a reminder of the importance of responding promptly to God's call and the opportunities He provides.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now return
וַעֲל֣וּ (wa·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

quickly
מַהֲרוּ֮ (ma·hă·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 4116: To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

my father
אָבִי֒ (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

and tell
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

him,
אֵלָ֗יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘This is what
כֹּ֤ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

your son
בִּנְךָ֣ (bin·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Joseph
יוֹסֵ֔ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

says:
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

God
אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has made
שָׂמַ֧נִי (śā·ma·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

me lord
לְאָד֖וֹן (lə·’ā·ḏō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

of all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Egypt.
מִצְרָ֑יִם (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

Come down
רְדָ֥ה (rə·ḏāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

me without
אַֽל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

delay.
תַּעֲמֹֽד׃ (ta·‘ă·mōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations


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OT Law: Genesis 45:9 Hurry and go up to my father (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 45:8
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