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New Century Version

Genesis 45:16

When the king of Egypt and his officers learned that Joseph's brothers had come, they were very happy.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Hospitality;   Kindness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Egypt;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Pharaoh;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Borrow;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Joseph;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Fame;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
The report of it was heard in Par`oh's house, saying, "Yosef's brothers have come." It pleased Par`oh well, and his servants.
King James Version
And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
Lexham English Bible
Then the report was heard in the house of Pharaoh, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." And it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
New English Translation
Now it was reported in the household of Pharaoh, "Joseph's brothers have arrived." It pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
Amplified Bible
When the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
New American Standard Bible
Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the tidinges came vnto Pharaohs house, so that they said, Iosephs brethre are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his seruants.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now the news was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." And it was good in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants.
Contemporary English Version
When it was told in the palace that Joseph's brothers had come, the king and his officials were happy.
Complete Jewish Bible
The report of this reached Pharaoh's house: "Yosef's brothers have come"; and Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
Darby Translation
And the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come. And it was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his bondmen.
Easy-to-Read Version
Pharaoh learned that Joseph's brothers had come to him. This news spread throughout Pharaoh's house. Pharaoh and his servants were very excited!
English Standard Version
When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, "Joseph's brothers have come," it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
George Lamsa Translation
And the news of their meeting was reported in Pharaohs house, saying, Josephs brothers are come; and the news pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
Good News Translation
When the news reached the palace that Joseph's brothers had come, the king and his officials were pleased.
Christian Standard Bible®
When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
Literal Translation
And the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, The brothers of Joseph have come. And it was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And this tydinges came in to Pharaos house: Iosephs brethren are come, which pleased Pharao well, and all his seruauntes.
American Standard Version
And the report thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
Bible in Basic English
And news of these things went through Pharaoh's house, and it was said that Joseph's brothers were come; and it seemed good to Pharaoh and his servants.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the fame [thereof] was hearde in Pharaos house, so that they sayde: Iosephes brethre are come. And it pleased Pharao well, and all his seruauntes.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the report thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying: 'Joseph's brethren are come'; and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
King James Version (1611)
And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaohs house, saying, Iosephs brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his seruants.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the report was carried into the house of Pharao, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come; and Pharao was glad, and his household.
English Revised Version
And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
Berean Standard Bible
When the news reached Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And it was herd, and pupplischid bi famouse word in the halle of the kyng, The britheren of Joseph ben comun. And Farao ioiede, and al his meynee;
Young's Literal Translation
And the sound hath been heard in the house of Pharaoh, saying, `Come have the brethren of Joseph;' and it is good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants,
Update Bible Version
And the report thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brothers have come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his slaves.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the fame of this was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
World English Bible
The report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
New King James Version
Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well.
New Living Translation
The news soon reached Pharaoh's palace: "Joseph's brothers have arrived!" Pharaoh and his officials were all delighted to hear this.
New Life Bible
When the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
New Revised Standard
When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, "Joseph's brothers have come," Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now, the report, was heard by the house of Pharaoh, saying, The brethren of Joseph have come in, And it was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it was heard, and the fame was spread abroad in the king’s court: The brethren of Joseph are come; and Pharao with all his family was glad.
Revised Standard Version
When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, "Joseph's brothers have come," it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well.
THE MESSAGE
The story was reported in Pharaoh's palace: "Joseph's brothers have come." It was good news to Pharaoh and all who worked with him.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.

Contextual Overview

16 When the king of Egypt and his officers learned that Joseph's brothers had come, they were very happy. 17 So the king said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers to load their animals and go back to the land of Canaan 18 and bring their father and their families back here to me. I will give them the best land in Egypt, and they will eat the best food we have here. 19 Tell them to take some wagons from Egypt for their children and their wives and to bring their father back also. 20 Tell them not to worry about bringing any of their things with them, because we will give them the best of what we have in Egypt." 21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them wagons as the king had ordered and food for their trip. 22 He gave each brother a change of clothes, but he gave Benjamin five changes of clothes and about seven and one-half pounds of silver. 23 Joseph also sent his father ten donkeys loaded with the best things from Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other food for his father on his trip back. 24 Then Joseph told his brothers to go. As they were leaving, he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way home."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

it pleased Pharaoh well: Heb. was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, Genesis 16:6, Genesis 20:15, Genesis 34:18, Genesis 41:33, Deuteronomy 1:33, 2 Samuel 3:36, 2 Chronicles 30:4, Esther 1:21, Esther 2:4, Esther 5:14, Acts 6:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:31 - General Genesis 47:1 - Joseph

Cross-References

Genesis 16:6
But Abram said to Sarai, "You are Hagar's mistress. Do anything you want to her." Then Sarai was hard on Hagar, and Hagar ran away.
Genesis 20:15
and said, "Look around you at my land. You may live anywhere you want."
Genesis 34:18
What they asked seemed fair to Hamor and Shechem.
Genesis 41:33
"So let the king choose a man who is very wise and understanding and set him over the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 1:33
he had always gone before you to find places for you to camp. In a fire at night and in a cloud during the day, he showed you which way to go.
2 Samuel 3:36
All the people saw what happened, and they agreed with what the king was doing, just as they agreed with everything he did.
2 Chronicles 30:4
This plan satisfied King Hezekiah and all the people.
Esther 1:21
The king and his important men were happy with this advice, so King Xerxes did as Memucan suggested.
Esther 2:4
Then let the girl who most pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti." The king liked this idea, so he did as they said.
Esther 5:14
Then Haman's wife, Zeresh, and all his friends said, "Have a seventy-five foot platform built, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and be happy." Haman liked this suggestion, so he ordered the platform to be built.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house,.... The report was carried to court, and there it was told by some from Joseph's house, who had overheard what had passed, at least somewhat of it:

saying, Joseph's brethren are come; perhaps they might call him by his Egyptian name, though the historian gives him his Hebrew name, and which was his right name, and by which he was best known to the Hebrews, for whose sake chiefly he wrote:

and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants; for Joseph being greatly beloved both by the king and his courtiers, who are meant by his servants, they were glad of an opportunity of showing their further regard to him, by their respect and civilities to his relations and friends, who had been the means of providing for the welfare of the whole kingdom, and of saving all their lives; Pharaoh's expressions of pleasure on this occasion were, no doubt sincere, whatever were those of his courtiers; who might not so well affect a stranger, and one that had been in a very low estate of life, to be raised above them, and have so much trust reposed is him, and honour conferred upon him, and might dissemble in their respect to Joseph before their sovereign; though such might be the prudence and affability of Joseph, and such the sense they had of their obligations to him in point of gratitude, that they might be really pleased to hear that his brethren were come; and the rather Pharaoh and his court might be the more delighted, because that it appeared that he came of a good family in Canaan; whereas they knew no more of him than of his having been a slave in Potiphar's house, and then cast into a prison for a crime charged upon him, out of which he was taken, and made the great man he was.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

- Joseph Made Himself Known to His Brethren

10. גשׁן gôshen, Goshen, Gesem (Arabias related perhaps to גשׁם geshem “rain, shower”), a region on the borders of Egypt and Arabia, near the gulf of Suez.

The appeal of Judah is to Joseph irresistible. The repentance of his brothers, and their attachment to Benjamin, have been demonstrated in the most satisfactory manner. This is all that Joseph sought. It is evident, throughout the whole narrative, that he never aimed at exercising any supremacy over his brothers. As soon as he has obtained an affecting proof of the right disposition of his brothers, he conceals himself no longer. And the speech of Judah, in which, no doubt, his brothers concurred, does equal credit to his head and heart.

Genesis 45:1-15

Joseph now reveals to his brothers the astonishing fact that he himself, their long-lost brother, stands before them. “He could not refrain himself.” Judah has painted the scene at home to the life; and Joseph can hold out no longer. “Have every man out from me.” Delicacy forbids the presence of strangers at this unrestrained outburst of tender emotion among the brothers. Besides, the workings of conscience, bringing up the recollections of the past, and the errors, to which some reference is now unavoidable, are not to be unveiled to the public eye. “He lifted up his voice in weeping.” The expression of the feelings is free and uncontrolled in a simple and primitive state of society. This prevails still in the East. And Mizraim heard. The Egyptians of Joseph’s house would hear, and report to others, this unusual utterance of deep feeling. “I am Joseph.” The natural voice, the native tongue, the long-remembered features, would, all at once, strike the apprehension of the brothers.

The remembrance of their crime, the absolute power of Joseph, and the justice of revenge, would rush upon their minds. No wonder they were silent and troubled at his presence. “Is my father yet alive?” This question shows where Joseph’s thoughts were. He had been repeatedly assured of his father’s welfare. But the long absence and the yearning of a fond heart bring the question up again. It was reassuring to the brethren, as it was far away from any thought of their fault or their punishment. “Come near unto me.” Joseph sees the trouble of his brothers, and discerns its cause. He addresses them a second time, and plainly refers to the fact of their having sold him. He points out that this was overruled of God to the saving of life; and, hence, that it was not they, but God who had mercifully sent him to Egypt to preserve all their lives. “For these two years.” Hence, we perceive that the sons of Jacob obtained a supply, on the first occasion, which was sufficient for a year. “To leave to you a remnant in the land.”

This is usually and most naturally referred to a surviving portion of their race. “Father to Pharaoh;” a second author of life to him. Having touched very slightly on their transgression, and endeavored to divert their thoughts to the wonderful providence of God displayed in the whole affair, he lastly preoccupies their minds with the duty and necessity of bringing down their father and all their families to dwell in Egypt. “In the land of Goshen.” This was a pasture land on the borders of Egypt and Arabia, perhaps at some distance from the Nile, and watered by the showers of heaven, like their own valleys. He then appeals to their recollections and senses, whether he was not their very brother Joseph. “My mouth that speaketh unto you;” not by an interpreter, but with his own lips, and in their native tongue. Having made this needful and reassuring explanation, he breaks through all distance, and falls upon Benjamin’s neck and kisses him, and all his other brothers; after which their hearts are soothed, and they speak freely with him.

Genesis 45:16-20

The intelligence that Joseph’s brethren are come reaches the ears of Pharaoh, and calls forth a cordial invitation to come and settle in Egypt. “It was good in the eyes of Pharaoh.” They highly esteemed Joseph on his own account; and that he should prove to be a member of a respectable family, and have the pleasure of again meeting with his nearest relatives, were circumstances that afforded them a real gratification. “The good of the land of Mizraim.” The good which it produces. Wagons; two-wheeled cars, fit for driving over the rough country, where roads were not formed. “Let not your eye care for your stuff;” your houses, or pieces of furniture which must be left behind. The family of Jacob thus come to Egypt, not by conquest or purchase, but by hospitable invitation, as free, independent visitors or settlers. As they were free to come or not, so were they free to stay or leave.

Genesis 45:21-24

The brothers joyfully accept the hospitable invitation of Pharaoh, and set about the necessary arrangements for their journey. “The sons of Israel;” including Joseph, who had his own part to perform in the proposed arrangement. “At the mouth of Pharaoh;” as he had authorized him to do. “Changes of raiment;” fine raiment for change on a high or happy day. To Benjamin he gives special marks of fraternal affection, which no longer excite any jealous feeling among the brothers, as the reasonableness of them is obvious. “Fall out.” The original word means to be stirred by any passion, whether fear or anger, and interpreters explain it as they conceive the circumstances and the context require. The English version corresponds with the Septuagint ὀργίζεσθε orgizesthe and with Onkelos. It refers, perhaps, to the little flashes of heat, impatience, and contention that are accustomed to disturb the harmony of companions in the East, who behave sometimes like overgrown children. Such ebullitions often lead to disastrous consequences. Joseph’s exile arose from petty jealousies among brethren.

Genesis 45:25-28

The returning brothers inform their father of the existence and elevation of Joseph in Egypt. The aged patriarch is overcome for the moment, but at length awakens to a full apprehension of the joyful news. His heart fainted; ceased to beat for a time, fluttered, sank within him. The news was too good for him to venture all at once to believe it. But the words of Joseph, which they recite, and the wagons which he had sent, at length lead to the conviction that it must be indeed true. He is satisfied. His only thought is to go and see Joseph before he dies. A sorrow of twenty-two years’ standing has now been wiped away.


 
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