Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 1917And 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. Jump to Previous Bondmen Face Fall Falling Feet Fell Servants Slaves Themselves ThrewJump to Next Bondmen Face Fall Falling Feet Fell Servants Slaves Themselves ThrewGenesis 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 highlights the reconciliation process between Joseph and his brothers. After the death of their father Jacob, the brothers feared retribution from Joseph for their past wrongs. This act of coming to Joseph signifies their acknowledgment of past sins and their need for forgiveness. It reflects the broader biblical theme of repentance and reconciliation, as seen in other scriptures like Matthew 5:23-24, which emphasizes the importance of seeking reconciliation with others. bowed down before him and said, “We are your slaves!” Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe central figure in this passage, Joseph is the son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt. His account is one of forgiveness and divine providence. 2. Joseph's Brothers The brothers who sold Joseph into slavery out of jealousy. In this passage, they come to Joseph in fear and submission after the death of their father, Jacob. 3. Egypt The land where Joseph rose to power and where this event takes place. Egypt serves as a backdrop for Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership. 4. Jacob (Israel) The father of Joseph and his brothers, whose death prompts the brothers to seek Joseph's forgiveness. 5. The Event of Reconciliation This moment is a culmination of Joseph's journey and his relationship with his brothers, highlighting themes of forgiveness and redemption. Teaching Points The Power of ForgivenessJoseph's willingness to forgive his brothers demonstrates the transformative power of forgiveness. As Christians, we are called to forgive others, reflecting God's grace in our lives. God's Sovereignty and Providence Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership illustrates God's sovereign plan. Trusting in God's providence can bring peace and purpose, even in difficult circumstances. Humility and Repentance The brothers' act of bowing and offering themselves as slaves shows humility and repentance. True repentance involves acknowledging wrongs and seeking reconciliation. Reconciliation and Restoration The account of Joseph and his brothers is a powerful example of reconciliation. As believers, we should strive for restoration in our relationships, following the example set by Joseph. Fear and Assurance The brothers' fear of retribution is met with Joseph's assurance of forgiveness. In Christ, we find assurance and freedom from fear through His forgiveness.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 brothersאֶחָ֔יו (’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 Links Genesis 50:18 NIVGenesis 50:18 NLT Genesis 50:18 ESV Genesis 50:18 NASB Genesis 50:18 KJV Genesis 50:18 BibleApps.com Genesis 50:18 Biblia Paralela Genesis 50:18 Chinese Bible Genesis 50:18 French Bible Genesis 50:18 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 50:18 His brothers also went and fell down (Gen. Ge Gn) |