Genesis 50:18
New International Version
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

New Living Translation
Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.

English Standard Version
His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

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

King James Bible
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

New King James Version
Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

New American Standard Bible
Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

NASB 1995
Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

NASB 1977
Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your slaves.”

Amplified Bible
Then his brothers went and fell down before him [in confession]; then they said, “Behold, we are your servants (slaves).”

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then his brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”

American Standard Version
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.

Contemporary English Version
Right then, Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to the ground in front of him and said, "We are your slaves."

English Revised Version
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then his brothers also came and immediately bowed down in front of him. "We are your slaves!" they said.

Good News Translation
Then his brothers themselves came and bowed down before him. "Here we are before you as your slaves," they said.

International Standard Version
So Joseph's brothers went to visit him, fell prostrate in front of him, and declared, "Look! We're your servants."

Majority Standard Bible
His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, ?We are your slaves!?

NET Bible
Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, "Here we are; we are your slaves."

New Heart English Bible
Then his brothers also went and fell down in front of him, and they said, "Look, we are your slaves."

Webster's Bible Translation
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face: and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.

World English Bible
His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And his brothers also go and fall before him, and say, “Behold, we [are] to you for servants.”

Young's Literal Translation
And his brethren also go and fall before him, and say, 'Lo, we are to thee for servants.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will come and will fall down before him, and they will say, Behold, we are for servants to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his brethren came to him: and worshipping prostrate on the ground they said: We are thy servants.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his brothers went to him. And reverencing prostrate on the ground, they said, “We are your servants.”

New American Bible
Then his brothers also proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “We are your slaves!”

New Revised Standard Version
Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And his brothers also went and fell down before him; and they said, Behold, we are your servants.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his brothers went also, and they fell before him, and they said, “Behold, we are your Servants.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said: 'Behold, we are thy bondmen.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they came to him and said, We, these persons, are thy servants.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Comforts His Brothers
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. 18His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” 19But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?…

Cross References
Genesis 37:7-9
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.” / “Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements. / Then Joseph had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

Genesis 45:3-5
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. / 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! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

Genesis 44:14-18
When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him. / “What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?” / “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.” ...

Genesis 42:6-9
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. / And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” / Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. ...

Genesis 41:39-44
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 37:19-20
“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”

Genesis 45:14-15
Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced. / Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 42:21-24
Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!” / They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them. ...

Genesis 45:1-2
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. / But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.

Genesis 37:26-28
Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? / Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. / So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.


Treasury of Scripture

And his brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be your servants.

fell.

Genesis 27:29
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Genesis 37:7-11
For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf…

Genesis 42:6
And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

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Genesis 50
1. The mourning for Jacob.
4. Joseph gets leave of Pharaoh to go to bury him.
7. The funeral.
15. Joseph comforts his brothers, who crave his pardon.
22. His age.
23. He sees the third generation of his sons.
24. He prophesies unto his brothers of their return.
25. He takes an oath of them concerning his bones.
26. He dies, and is put into a coffin.














His brothers also came to him
This phrase marks a significant moment of humility and reconciliation. The Hebrew root for "came" (בּוֹא, bo) implies an approach or arrival, often with a sense of purpose or intent. In the context of Genesis, Joseph's brothers, who once plotted against him, now approach him with a changed heart. This act of coming to Joseph signifies a turning point in their relationship, highlighting themes of repentance and forgiveness. Historically, this reflects the broader narrative of familial reconciliation, a recurring theme in the patriarchal accounts of Genesis.

bowed down before him
The act of bowing down is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern customs, symbolizing respect, submission, and acknowledgment of authority. The Hebrew word for "bowed down" (שָׁחָה, shachah) conveys a physical act of prostration, often associated with worship or deep respect. This moment fulfills Joseph's earlier dreams (Genesis 37:7-9), where his brothers' sheaves bowed to his. It underscores the divine orchestration of events and the fulfillment of God's promises, reminding readers of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His plans despite human intentions.

and said
The phrase introduces the brothers' verbal expression of submission. In Hebrew, "said" (אָמַר, amar) is a common verb used to denote speech, but it also carries the weight of confession or declaration. This moment is not just about physical submission but also an acknowledgment of their past wrongs and a plea for mercy. It reflects the power of words in the process of reconciliation and the importance of verbal confession in healing broken relationships.

We are your slaves!
This declaration is profound, as it signifies a complete reversal of roles and an acknowledgment of Joseph's authority. The Hebrew word for "slaves" (עֶבֶד, eved) can also mean servant or bondman, indicating a willingness to serve and submit. This statement is laden with historical and theological significance. Historically, it reflects the social structures of the time, where servitude was a common means of survival and restitution. Theologically, it points to the transformative power of grace and forgiveness. Joseph, a type of Christ in the Old Testament, chooses to forgive rather than enslave, prefiguring the New Testament message of redemption and grace through Christ. This moment encapsulates the essence of Christian forgiveness—choosing mercy over retribution, reflecting God's heart towards humanity.

Verse 18. - And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. Both the attitudes assumed and the words spoken were designed to express the intensity of their contrition and the fervor of their supplication.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His brothers
אֶחָ֔יו (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

also
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

came to him,
וַיֵּלְכוּ֙ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

bowed down
וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ (way·yip·pə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

before him,
לְפָנָ֑יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

and said,
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“We are your slaves!”
לַעֲבָדִֽים׃ (la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


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OT Law: Genesis 50:18 His brothers also went and fell down (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 50:17
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