Joseph Reveals His Identity

1Then Joseph (YHWH has added) 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. 2But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians (double straits) heard him, and Pharaoh’s (great house) household soon heard of it.

3Joseph (YHWH has added) 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.

4Then Joseph (YHWH has added) 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 (land of bondage)! 5And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you⁺ sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God {Elohim} sent me before you⁺. 6For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. 7God {Elohim} sent me before you⁺ to preserve you⁺ as a remnant on the earth and to save your⁺ lives by a great deliverance.a 8Therefore it was not you⁺ who sent me here, but God {Elohim}, who has made me a father to Pharaoh (great house)—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt (land of bondage).

Joseph Sends for His Father

9Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph (YHWH has added) says: God {Elohim} has made me lord of all Egypt (land of bondage). Come down to me without delay. 10You shall settle in the land of Goshen (drawing near) and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. 11And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’

12Behold! You⁺ and my brother Benjamin (son of the right hand) can see that I, Joseph, am the one speaking with you⁺. 13Tell my father about all my splendor in Egypt (land of bondage) and everything you⁺ have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”

14Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin (son of the right hand) and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced. 15Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.

Pharaoh Invites Jacob to Egypt

16When the news reached Pharaoh’s (great house) house that Joseph’s (YHWH has added) brothers had come, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.

17Pharaoh (great house) said to Joseph (YHWH has added), “Tell your brothers, ‘Do as follows: Load your⁺ animals and return to the land of Canaan (lowland). 18Then bring your⁺ father and your⁺ families and return to me. I will give you⁺ the best of the land of Egypt (land of bondage), and you⁺ shall eat from the fat of the land.’ 19You are also directed to tell them: ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt (land of bondage) for your⁺ young children and your⁺ wives, and bring your⁺ father and come back. 20But pay no regard to your⁺ belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt (land of bondage) is yours⁺.’”

21So the sons of Israel (he wrestles with God) did as they were told. Joseph (YHWH has added) gave them wagons as Pharaoh (great house) had instructed, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22He gave new garments to each of them, but to Benjamin (son of the right hand) he gave three hundred shekels of silver <7.5 lb / 3.4 kg>b and five sets of clothes. 23And he sent to his father the following: ten donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt (land of bondage), and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provisions for his father’s journey.

24Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!”

The Revival of Jacob

25So the brothers went up out of Egypt (land of bondage) and came to their father Jacob (he grasps the heel) in the land of Canaan (lowland). 26“Joseph (YHWH has added) is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt (land of bondage)!”

But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them. 27However, when they relayed all that Joseph (YHWH has added) had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit {ruach} of their father Jacob (he grasps the heel) was revived.

28“Enough!” declared Israel (he wrestles with God). “My son Joseph (YHWH has added) is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.”