CINXE.COM
Genesis 50:15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him."
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 50:15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/50-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_50_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 50:15 - Joseph Comforts His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/50-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/50-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/50.htm">Chapter 50</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/50-14.htm" title="Genesis 50:14">◄</a> Genesis 50:15 <a href="/genesis/50-16.htm" title="Genesis 50:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/50.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/50.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/50.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/50.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/50.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/50.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/50.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/50.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers had seen that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/50.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/50.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph should bear a grudge against us and pay us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/50.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, and they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and returns back to us all the evil which we dealt against him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/50.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph carries a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/50.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said to one another, “If Joseph is holding a grudge against us, he will certainly repay us for all the suffering we caused him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/50.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said to one another, “If Joseph is holding a grudge against us, he will certainly repay us for all the suffering we caused him.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/50.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/50.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After Jacob died, Joseph's brothers said to each other, "What if Joseph still hates us and wants to get even with us for all the cruel things we did to him?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/50.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/50.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Joseph's brothers realized what their father's death could mean. So they thought, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us? What if he decides to pay us back for all the evil we did to him?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/50.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />After the death of their father, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph still hates us and plans to pay us back for all the harm we did to him?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/50.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, after Joseph's brothers faced the reality of their father's death, they asked themselves, "What happens if Joseph decides to hold a grudge against us? What if he pays us back in full for all the wrong things we did to him?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/50.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/50.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay us in full for all the harm we did to him?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/50.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph鈥檚 brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will pay us back in full for all of the evil that we did to him."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/50.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will perhaps hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/50.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/50.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the brothers of Joseph see that their father is dead, and say, “Perhaps Joseph hates us, and certainly returns to us all the evil which we did with him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/50.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the brethren of Joseph see that their father is dead, and say, 'Peradventure Joseph doth hate us, and doth certainly return to us all the evil which we did with him.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/50.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph's brethren will see that their father died, and they will say to him, Joseph will lie in wait for us, and turning back, will turn back to us all the evil which we did to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/50.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now he being dead, his brethren were afraid, and talked one with another : Lest perhaps he should remember the wrong he suffered, and requite us all the evil that we did to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/50.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now that he was dead, his brothers were afraid, and they said to one another: “Perhaps now he may remember the injury that he suffered and requite us for all the evil that we did to him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/50.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought, “Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now most certainly will pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/50.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/50.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they were afraid, saying. It may be Joseph will harm us, and perhaps he will requite us all the evil which we did to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/50.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And after he buried his father, the brothers of Yoseph saw that their father was dead, and they were afraid and they were saying, “Lest Yoseph will harm us, and lest he will pay us all the evil that we did to him.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/50.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said: 'It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/50.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And when the brethren of Joseph saw that their father was dead, they said, <i>Let us take heed</i>, lest at any time Joseph remember evil against us, and recompense to us all the evils which we have done against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/50-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=13195" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/50.htm">Joseph Comforts His Brothers</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">When Joseph’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ă·ḥê- (N-mpc) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brothers</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yir·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇî·hem (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">their father</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">was dead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3863.htm" title="3863: lū (Prep) -- If, oh that. Or lu; or luw; a conditional particle; if; by implication would that!">“What if</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/7852.htm" title="7852: yiś·ṭə·mê·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 1cp) -- To bear a grudge or cherish animosity against. A primitive root; properly, to lurk for, i.e. Persecute.">bears a grudge?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·hā·šêḇ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Then he will surely repay</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šîḇ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">for all</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">the evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1580.htm" title="1580: gā·mal·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- A primitive root; to treat a person, i.e. Benefit or requite; by implication, to ripen, i.e. to wean.">we did</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">to him.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Genesis 37:18-28</a></span><br />Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “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!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-3.htm">Genesis 45:3-5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21-22</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18-34</a></span><br />Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. / My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ / And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-15.htm">Genesis 45:15</a></span><br />Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Genesis 50:17-21</a></span><br />‘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. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” / But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Matthew 6:14-15</a></span><br />For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-3.htm">Luke 17:3-4</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Ephesians 4:31-32</a></span><br />Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a></span><br />Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19-21</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a></span><br />Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/11-25.htm">Mark 11:25</a></span><br />And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did to him.</p><p class="hdg">their father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Genesis 27:41,42</a></b></br> And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob… </p><p class="hdg">Joseph.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-17.htm">Genesis 42:17</a></b></br> And he put them all together into ward three days.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-36.htm">Leviticus 26:36</a></b></br> And upon them that are left <i>alive</i> of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-21.htm">Job 15:21,22</a></b></br> A dreadful sound <i>is</i> in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/49-21.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/genesis/44-20.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/50-3.htm">Full</a> <a href="/revelation/14-18.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Grudge</a> <a href="/genesis/49-23.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/revelation/3-7.htm">Holds</a> <a href="/genesis/26-27.htm">Hostile</a> <a href="/genesis/45-26.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/50-14.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/50-8.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/genesis/43-28.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-9.htm">Pays</a> <a href="/genesis/44-34.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/genesis/44-34.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/revelation/22-12.htm">Requite</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-23.htm">Wrongs</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-4.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/exodus/4-19.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/50-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Full</a> <a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Grudge</a> <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/genesis/50-21.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/numbers/13-19.htm">Holds</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-21.htm">Hostile</a> <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/50-16.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/50-22.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/exodus/2-9.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/job/24-12.htm">Pays</a> <a href="/exodus/13-17.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/exodus/13-17.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-10.htm">Requite</a> <a href="/genesis/50-18.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/exodus/2-12.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Wrongs</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 50</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-1.htm">The mourning for Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-4.htm">Joseph gets leave of Pharaoh to go to bury him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-7.htm">The funeral.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Joseph comforts his brothers, who crave his pardon.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-22.htm">His age.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">He sees the third generation of his sons.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-24.htm">He prophesies unto his brothers of their return.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-25.htm">He takes an oath of them concerning his bones.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-26.htm">He dies, and is put into a coffin.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/50.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>When Joseph’s brothers saw</b><br />This phrase sets the scene for a moment of realization and fear among Joseph's brothers. The Hebrew root for "saw" is "ra'ah," which implies not just physical sight but also understanding or perceiving. This indicates a deeper awareness among the brothers of the potential consequences of their past actions. Historically, this moment follows the death of Jacob, their father, which removes a protective barrier they might have felt. The brothers' perception is not just about the absence of their father but also about the potential change in their relationship with Joseph.<p><b>that their father was dead</b><br />The death of Jacob is a pivotal moment in the narrative. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the patriarch of a family held significant authority and influence. Jacob's death signifies a shift in family dynamics and the loss of a unifying figure. The Hebrew word for "dead" is "muwth," which is often used in the Old Testament to denote physical death but also carries connotations of separation and finality. This event forces the brothers to confront their past actions without the buffer of their father's presence.<p><b>they said</b><br />This phrase indicates a collective response or discussion among the brothers. The Hebrew word "amar" is used here, which can mean to say, speak, or think. It suggests an internal dialogue or a shared concern that prompts them to voice their fears. This moment of communication reflects their anxiety and the need to address unresolved issues with Joseph.<p><b>What if Joseph bears a grudge</b><br />The brothers' question reveals their fear of retribution. The Hebrew word for "bears a grudge" is "satam," which means to cherish animosity or hold a grudge. This reflects their awareness of the gravity of their past actions against Joseph and their understanding of human nature's potential for holding onto past wrongs. It also highlights their guilt and the lack of assurance in Joseph's forgiveness, despite his previous acts of kindness.<p><b>against us</b><br />This phrase personalizes their fear, acknowledging that the potential grudge is directed specifically at them. It underscores their collective guilt and shared responsibility for their actions against Joseph. The brothers are acutely aware that their past misdeeds have consequences that could directly impact their lives.<p><b>and pays us back in full</b><br />The concept of retribution is central here. The Hebrew word "shalam" is used, which means to complete, make amends, or recompense. It suggests a full measure of justice or repayment for wrongs done. The brothers fear that Joseph might seek to balance the scales by repaying them for their betrayal, reflecting the ancient principle of justice and retribution.<p><b>for all the wrong we did to him</b><br />This phrase is a confession of guilt and acknowledgment of their past sins. The Hebrew word for "wrong" is "ra'ah," which means evil or harm. It is a candid admission of the moral and ethical breach they committed against Joseph. This acknowledgment is crucial for understanding the depth of their fear and the potential for reconciliation. It also sets the stage for Joseph's response, which will reveal his character and the overarching theme of forgiveness and redemption in the narrative.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/50.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Joseph will peradventure . . . --</span>Heb., <span class= "ital">What if Joseph should hate us, </span>&c. They had not seen any change in his treatment of him, but if it were the case that he cherished feelings of revenge, they felt that they were now in his power.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/50.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when</span> (literally <span class="accented">and</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they</span> (literally, and they) <span class="cmt_word">said, Joseph will peradventure hate us,</span> - literally, <span class="accented">If Joseph</span> hated us, or pursued us hostilely (<span class="accented">sc</span>. what would become of us?), <span class="hebrew">לוּ</span> with the imperfect or future setting forth a possible but undesirable contingency (<span class="accented">vide</span> Ewald's 'Hebrew Syntax,' § 358a; Gesenius, 'Lexicon,' <span class="accented">sub voce</span>) - <span class="cmt_word">and will certainly requite us</span> (literally, <span class="accented">if returning he caused to return upon us</span>) <span class="cmt_word">all the evil which we did unto him.</span> "What then?" is the natural conclusion of the sentence. "We must be utterly undone." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/50-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When Joseph’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵף֙</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brothers</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּרְא֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yir·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their father</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was dead,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What if</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3863.htm">Strong's 3863: </a> </span><span class="str2">If, would that!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֑ף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bears a grudge?</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂטְמֵ֖נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·ṭə·mê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7852.htm">Strong's 7852: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear a grudge or cherish animosity against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Then he will surely repay</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָשֵׁ֤ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·šêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us for all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the evil</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣רָעָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we did</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּמַ֖לְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(gā·mal·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1580.htm">Strong's 1580: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹתֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">OT Law: Genesis 50:15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/50-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 50:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 50:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/50-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 50:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 50:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>