Bible Strands
Genesis 45:4
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!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Joseph speaks to his brothers at the moment they stand before him in terror after he asked if their father is still alive. He commands them to approach him before declaring his identity as the brother they sold into Egypt.
The words — The text records the command גְּשׁוּ (ge.shu) meaning “draw near,” directing physical proximity to the speaker. It follows with אֵלַ֖/י ('e.La/i) meaning “to me,” emphasizing direct personal address.
The thread — The brothers’ terror mirrors their earlier betrayal in Genesis 37:28 and anticipates their later prostration in Genesis 50:18. The revelatory self-identification pattern parallels Jesus’ “It is I” in Matthew 14:27.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge direct responsibility for past harm without evasion. It demands recognition that divine purpose operates through human action while calling for unflinching engagement with present reality.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 37:28 So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
- Genesis 50:18 His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”
- Matthew 14:27 But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
- Acts 9:5 “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.