About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 

The book of Genesis was written by Moses. It is divided into three main parts.  1) God creates the universe and the first man and woman    2)God destroys the earth with a flood but saves Noah, his family, and the animals 3)God chooses Abraham and his descendants to be a great nation.

Bible Timeline
 
Here is a good timeline to see the book of Genesis in the history of the Bible
http://www.sundayschoolresources.com/timeline.htm
 

From http://www.christiancharacterbuilders.com

Pharaoh's butler finally remembered Joseph.  He told Pharaoh how Joseph interpreted his and the baker's dreams correctly. 
[9] Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
[10] Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
[11] And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
[12] And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
[13] And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.



Pharaoh wanted Joseph to be brought to him.  Joseph shaved and put on clean clothes, then he went to see Pharaoh.  Pharaoh told Joseph that he heard that Joseph could interpret dreams.  Joseph told Pharaoh that God would give him the interpretation.
[14] Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
[15] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
[16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.


Pharaoh told Joseph both of his dreams. 
[17] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
[18] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
[19] And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
[20] And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
[21] And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
[22] And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
[23] And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
[24] And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.


Joseph told Pharaoh that the two dreams meant the same thing.  He said God was showing Pharaoh what He was going to do.  Joseph said that the 7 good cows and the 7 fat heads of grain were representing 7 good years with a lot of food.  The 7 thin cows and the 7 thin heads of grain meant 7 years of famine (not enough food).
[25] And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
[26] The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
[27] And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
[28] This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

 

"Seven Fat and Seven Lean Years" Water color Bible illustrations were done in Bogota, Colombia for the Communicating Christ video course. They were later scanned by Publications for Latin America, WELS.  From From http://www.wels.net/wmc/html/clip_art_--_volume_2__part_a.html

Joseph said that Egypt would have 7 good years with a lot of food.  But after that there would be 7 years of famine.  Joseph said that God was telling Pharaoh what was coming in the future.
[29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
[30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
[31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
[32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.


Joseph told Pharaoh what to do next. He said that Pharaoh should pick a very smart man and make him a boss.  He should pick other men to collect food.  They would save 1/5 of the food during the 7 good years.  If they did that, there would be food for the 7 bad years.
[33] Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
[34] Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
[35] And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
[36] And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.

Joseph has new power

Pharaoh could see that God had spoken through Joseph.  Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of collecting the food.  Joseph was  in power over everyone.  Joseph's job was more important that anyone else's job, except for Pharaoh.
[37] And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
[38] And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
[39] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
[40] Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
[41] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh gave Joseph his special ring and nice clothes.  This was to show everyone that he was important. Joseph rode in Pharaoh's special chariot (a cart and a horse).
[42] And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
[43] And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
[44] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.


Pharaoh gave Joseph a new name - Zaphnath-Paaneah.  He also gave Joseph a wife.  Her name was Asenath. She was the daughter of the Egyptian priest.
[45] And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

Joseph was 30 years old at that time.  He traveled around Egypt gathering food during the seven good years.
[46] And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
[47] And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
[48] And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
[49] And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.


Joseph had two sons during the 7 good years.  Their names were Manasseh and Ephraim.  The name Manasseh means "God made me forget my hard work and my father's house".  Ephraim means "God has caused me to be fruitful".
[50] And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.
[51] And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
[52] And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.


The 7 good years ended, and the 7 bad years of no food began.  Egypt had saved food during the 7 good years.  It had food for its people.  Other countries did not have food, so they bought food from Egypt.
[53] And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
[54] And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
[55] And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
[56] And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
[57] And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

Genesis 42


Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt


At the same time, the land of Canaan was having a famine, too.  Jacob decided to send 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy some food.
[1] Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
[2] And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.
[3] And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.


Joseph's brother Benjamin stayed home with Jacob.  He was the youngest son.
[4] But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
[5] And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

 

"Joseph and Brothers in Egypt" Water color Bible illustrations were done in Bogota, Colombia for the Communicating Christ video course. They were later scanned by Publications for Latin America, WELS.  From From http://www.wels.net/wmc/html/clip_art_--_volume_2__part_a.html

Joseph was in charge of selling the food in Egypt.  Joseph's brothers met him to talk about buying food.  Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize Joseph.  Joseph did not tell them who he really was.  He treated them roughly.  He asked them where they came from.  Then he accused them of being spies.
[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.
[7] And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
[8] And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
[9] And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Joseph's brothers were bowing down to him to show their respect.  Then Joseph remembered the dream he had many years ago.  He had dreamed that his brothers were bowing down to him.  Now his dream had come true.
[10] And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
[11] We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

The brothers said they were not spies. They said they were from one family.  They said they had another brother at home.  They also said their other brother had died (they meant Joseph when they said that).
[12] And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
[13] And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
[14] And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:


Joseph called them spies again.  He said he wanted to test them.  He said they would stay in Egypt in prison.  One brother would be allowed to go back to Canaan. He must return and bring Benjamin with him. That would prove they were not spies.
[15] Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
[16] Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
[17] And he put them all together into ward three days.
[18] And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
[19] If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
[20] But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.


Reuben spoke to the other brothers.  He reminded them about what they did to Joseph.  He felt that their bad treatment in Egypt was because of their sin against Joseph.
[21] And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
[22] And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

They didn't realize it, but Joseph could understand what they were saying. Joseph had been using an interpreter, so the brothers thought he did not know their language.
[23] And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

Joseph turned around so the brothers couldn't see him. He cried. Then he turned back to them. He changed the plan.  He said he would keep Simeon in Egypt. The others could return to Canaan and take the food. After they delivered the food, they were supposed to return to Egypt with Benjamin.
[24] And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

Joseph gave orders for the Egyptians to fill the brothers' sacks with grain.  But Joseph told them secretly to put the brothers money in the sacks, too.
[25] Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

Joseph's brothers left Egypt and were traveling back to Canaan.  On the way back, one of them opened the sacks of food. He saw the money.  They were all afraid. If the Egyptians saw the money in the sacks, they would think the brothers had stolen it.
[26] And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.
[27] And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
[28] And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

The brothers arrived in Canaan.  They told Jacob what happened. They told him about "the man in Egypt" who was not nice to them. They told Jacob that Simeon had to stay in Egypt. They were supposed to take Benjamin back to Egypt. It was a test by Joseph to prove they were not spies.
[29] And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
[30] The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
[31] And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:
[32] We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
[33] And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:
[34] And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.

As they opened their food sacks, all of their money was in the sacks. They continued to be afraid that the Egyptians would accuse them of stealing.
[35] And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.


Jacob was very upset.  He didn't want to let Benjamin go to Egypt.  Reuben promised to take care of Benjamin, but Jacob refused to let him go.
[36] And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
[37] And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
[38] And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 43

Jacob's sons travel to Egypt again

After some time passed, the food was gone.  They needed to buy more food in Egypt.  The brothers told Jacob they couldn't go back to Egypt without Benjamin.
[1] And the famine was sore in the land.
[2] And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
[3] And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
[4] If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
[5] But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

Jacob was mad at his sons for telling Joseph there was another younger brother at home. But they said they had no choice.
[6] And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
[7] And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

Judah told Jacob he would be responsible for Benjamin.  Jacob agreed because they needed food.  He told them to take gifts to Joseph. They took honey, spices, and nuts as gifts. 
[8] And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
[9] I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
[10] For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
[11] And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

Jacob also told them to take the money back that they paid the first time. Jacob asked God to help his sons.
[12] And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
[13] Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
[14] And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.


The brothers returned to Egypt with Benjamin.  When Joseph saw Benjamin, he invited them all to eat dinner with him.
[15] And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
[16] And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
[17] And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.

The brothers were afraid of Joseph.  They talked to Joseph's assistant and told him what happened about the money. He told them not to worry. He knew about the money. He told them that the God of Israel had helped them. He brought Simeon out with them.
[18] And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
[19] And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
[20] And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
[21] And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
[22] And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
[23] And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

The assistant took them all to Joseph's house.  Joseph came home and saw them.  He asked them how Jacob was.
[24] And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
[25] And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
[26] And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
[27] And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

They said their father was fine. When Joseph saw Benjamin, he had to hurry and leave the room.  He was crying, and he didn't want them to see.
[28] And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
[29] And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
[30] And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

After he finished crying, Joseph washed his face and went back out to the other room. They all ate dinner.  They sat at different tables because Egyptians would not sit at the same table as Hebrews (another name for the descendants of Abraham).
[31] And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
[32] And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.


When it was time to eat, Joseph gave Benjamin 5 times as much food as the others.  Joseph was testing his brothers to see if they were jealous of Benjamin.  But the brothers did not act jealous.
[33] And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
[34] And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Genesis 44

Joseph tests his brothers a second time


Joseph ordered his servant to fill the brothers' bags with food.  He also ordered them to put their money back in.  He also ordered them to put his silver cup in Benjamin's bag.
[1] And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
[2] And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.


The next morning, the brothers left to go home to Canaan.  After a while, Joseph ordered his servants to chase them and accuse them of stealing his silver cup.
[3] As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
[4] And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
[5] Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

The brothers said they knew nothing about the cup.  They said if anyone of them had the cup, that one should be killed.
[6] And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
[7] And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
[8] Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?
[9] With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.
[10] And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words; he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.


Each brother opened his sack.  They were shocked to see that the cup was in Benjamin's sack.
[11] Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
[12] And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.


They all returned to Egypt. They bowed down to Joseph and begged him not to kill Benjamin.
[13] Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
[14] And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
[15] And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
[16] And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.


Joseph said that Benjamin would stay in Egypt and be his slave.  The brothers must go back to Canaan and bring their father Jacob to Egypt.
[17] And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.


Judah begged for Benjamin.     
[18] Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.


He reviewed the events that had recently happened. He reviewed that when they first arrived, Joseph asked them if they had a father or another brother. They said yes they had a younger brother, Benjamin.  They also said Benjamin's brother (Joseph) was dead. They said Jacob loved Benjamin.
[19] My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
[20] And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

Judah continued to review. Joseph asked them to bring Benjamin to Egypt. They said they could not bring him because Jacob would be upset. Joseph said if Benjamin did not come to Egypt, he would not give them food again.
[21] And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
[22] And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
[23] And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

Judah continued his review. He talked about how Jacob sent them a second time to Egypt to buy food. They told him they could not go unless Benjamin went, too.
[24] And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
[25] And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
[26] And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.

Jacob reminded Judah that Rachel had two sons. He thought that Joseph was killed by an animal. He said that if Benjamin died, too, Jacob would die from sadness.
[27] And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
[28] And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
[29] And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

Judah said that if they went home and did not take Benjamin, Jacob would die from sadness. Judah told Joseph that he had promised Jacob to be responsible for Benjamin.
[30] Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;
[31] It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
[32] For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.


He told Joseph that he would stay in Egypt and be a slave if Benjamin could go home.
[33] Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.


He said that if Benjamin did not return home, Jacob would die.
[34] For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

Genesis 45

Joseph tells his brothers who he really is

Joseph could see that his brothers had changed.  He could see that they were sorry they had sold him.  Joseph asked all of the Egyptian workers to leave.  He wanted to be alone with his brothers. Joseph cried and told his brothers who he really was.  He asked if Jacob was still living. His brothers were shocked and could not answer.  It had been 22 years since they had seen Joseph.
[1] Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
[2] And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
[3] And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.


Joseph told his brothers not to feel bad about selling him.  He said it was part of God's plan to take care of their  family.  If Joseph hadn't come to Egypt, the whole family would have starved to death in the famine.
[4] And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
[5] Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
[6] For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
[7] And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
[8] So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Joseph told his brothers to go back to Canaan and tell Jacob the good news. He wanted them to bring Jacob to Egypt.  Jacob and all of his children, grandchildren, and animals could stay and live in Egypt.  The part of Egypt they could live in was called Goshen.
[9] 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:
[10] And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
[11] And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
[12] And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
[13] 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.


Joseph hugged and kissed his brothers.  He was very emotional and cried. He and his brothers talked.
[14] And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
[15] Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.


Pharaoh heard about Joseph's brothers. He told them to bring Jacob to Egypt, and they could all live in Egypt.
[16] And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
[17] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
[18] And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
[19] Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
[20] Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.


The brothers left Egypt and traveled back to Canaan.  Joseph gave them carts to bring their things back in. He also gave them clothes and food.  He gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver.
[21] And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
[22] To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
[23] And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
[24] So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
[25] And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

When they arrived home in Canaan, they told Jacob that Joseph was alive.  Jacob was so shocked that his heart stopped beating for a few seconds.  They told him that Joseph wanted everyone to live in Egypt. Jacob wanted to go to Egypt.
[26] 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.
[27] And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
[28] And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Genesis 46

Jacob goes to Egypt


Before he and his family left for Egypt, Jacob stopped at Beersheba.  He made sacrifices to God to thank Him for Joseph.  That night in a dream, God spoke to Jacob.  He told him that he should not be afraid to go to Egypt.  He promised to go with him.  God said that someday He would bring his descendants back to Canaan.
[1] And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
[2] And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
[3] And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
[4] I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

Jacob, all of his family, and their animals traveled to Egypt.
[5] And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
[6] And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
[7] His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.

Jacob's wives, children, and grandchildren are listed here.
[8] And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.
[9] And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
[10] And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
[11] And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
[12] And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
[13] And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
[14] And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
[15] These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padan-aram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.
[16] And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
[17] And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
[18] These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
[19] The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.
[20] And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.
[21] And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
[22] These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.
[23] And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
[24] And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
[25] These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.


There was a total of 70 people in Jacob's family.
[26] All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
[27] And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.

Jacob sees Joseph again

From Global Recordings

Jacob and his family arrived in Egypt.  Joseph went out to meet them.  Jacob and Joseph met each other again.  They hugged and cried. Jacob said he could die happy because he had seen Joseph again.
[28] And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
[29] And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
[30] And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.


Joseph told his family what to say when they met Pharaoh.  They were to tell Pharaoh that they were shepherds.  Egyptians didn't like shepherds, so the Hebrews could live in a separate part of Egypt. The part of Egypt they would live in was called Goshen.
[31] And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
[32] And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
[33] And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
[34] That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.