Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 45בראשית 45

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Concealment gives way to disclosure here, and Joseph's long probation of his brothers resolves into reconciliation, providential interpretation, and the turning of Jacob's house toward Egypt under invitation rather than compulsion alone. Joseph can no longer restrain himself before the gathered attendants. He sends them out, reveals himself to his brothers, and re-narrates the whole history of betrayal and survival through the sovereignty of God who sent him ahead for life. This movement therefore binds tears, terror, forgiveness, providence, filial urgency, royal generosity, and revived hope into one movement. Its center lies in Joseph's theological reframing of the brothers' deed: they sold him, yet God sent him before them to preserve life and secure a remnant. From that point the narrative moves outward into embrace, command, provision, and report, until the father who once descended into grief hears that Joseph still lives. What began with hidden testing ends with unveiled identity and the first open summons to the family for preservation in Egypt.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Disclosure finally overtakes concealment here, and Joseph interprets betrayal, famine, and preservation under the larger providence of God. Verse 1's לא יכל יוסף להתאפק is crucial because Joseph's inability to restrain himself marks not weakness of control in the abstract, but the breaking point at which hidden governance yields to personal revelation. Verse 2's loud weeping heard by the Egyptians and by Pharaoh's house gives the disclosure public consequence immediately. Verse 3 is one of the narrative's emotional and literary hinges: 'I am Joseph' stands in stark brevity, and the follow-up question 'Is my father still alive?' should retain its directness rather than being smoothed into mere small talk. The brothers' inability to answer because they were terrified before him must also be preserved in full force. Verses 4-8 contain the narrative's governing theological interpretation. Joseph names the brothers' act plainly - 'you sold me here' - yet repeatedly subordinates it to divine sending before them for life, remnant, and survival. Verse 5's למחיה, verse 7's לשום לכם שארית בארץ ולהחיות לכם לפליטה גדולה, and verse 8's 'it was not you who sent me here, but God' should all be handled with care, since together they provide the providential grammar of the whole Joseph story without erasing human guilt. Verse 8's 'father to Pharaoh' is also a notable expression and should retain its political force as counselor, patron, or senior court figure rather than being reduced to sentiment. Verses 9-13 shift from interpretation to urgent commission. Joseph's repeated מהר language and the instruction that Jacob come down and dwell in Goshen show that the revelation is ordered toward preservation under the remaining years of famine. Verse 14's tears on Benjamin's neck and verse 15's kissing and weeping over all the brothers complete the movement from terror to restored fraternal contact. Verses 16-20 broaden the scene through Pharaoh's favor, and the land-language should preserve the royal generosity of 'the good of the land of Egypt' without flattening it into vague abundance. Verse 22's differing gifts and Benjamin's fivefold clothing and silver continue the pattern of marked distinction, but here within open reconciliation rather than hidden testing. Verse 24's אל תרגזו בדרך is compact and much discussed: it may warn against quarreling on the journey, agitation, or anxious disturbance, and the line should preserve that range rather than forcing a single thin paraphrase. Verse 26's ויפג לבו is another important expression; Jacob's heart numbs or fails because the report exceeds belief. Only the wagons in verse 27 revive his spirit. Verse 28 then closes the narrative not with full reunion yet, but with Israel's resolved enough: Joseph my son still lives; I will go and see him before I die. The narrative therefore joins disclosure to providence and emotion to movement, preparing the descent of Jacob's house into Egypt under the sign of life rather than annihilation. Versification follows the MT.

1

וְלֹֽא יָכֹ֨ל יוֹסֵ֜ף לְהִתְאַפֵּ֗ק לְכֹ֤ל הַנִּצָּבִים֙ עָלָ֔יו וַיִּקְרָ֕א הוֹצִ֥יאוּ כָל אִ֖ישׁ מֵעָלָ֑י וְלֹא עָ֤מַד אִישׁ֙ אִתּ֔וֹ בְּהִתְוַדַּ֥ע יוֹסֵ֖ף אֶל אֶחָֽיו

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all who stood by him, and he cried out, 'Have every man go out from me.' And no man stood with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.

Joseph can no longer restrain the disclosureוְלֹא
The long concealment reaches its breaking point, and Joseph clears the room so the revelation may occur before the brothers alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conj + negationלֹא (H3808) strong negation; conj וְ links to preceding narrative context.
יָכֹ֨לwas ableQal perf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Main predicate verb→ Perfective: inability to contain himselfיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able, prevail'; followed by inf expresses total incapacity.
יוֹסֵ֜ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of יָכֹליוֹסֵף (H3130), son of Jacob and Rachel; the restrainer who can restrain no longer.
לְהִתְאַפֵּ֗קto restrain himselfprep לְ + Hitpael inf constr · אָפַק (H662)Complementary infinitive→ Hitpael reflexive: self-control reaching its limitאָפַק (H662) 'to restrain, hold back'; Hitpael 'restrain oneself'; the long concealment breaks.
לְכֹ֤לbefore allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase of referenceכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with לְ marks the audience Joseph cannot maintain composure before.
הַנִּצָּבִים֙those standing byart + Niphal ptc m pl abs · נָצַב (H5324)Attributive ptc (substantival)→ Niphal ptc: stationed attendantsנָצַב (H5324) 'to stand, be stationed'; Niphal ptc denotes household attendants positioned nearby.
עָלָ֔יוbeside himprep עַל + suf 3ms · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, beside'; here locative: in attendance at his side.
וַיִּקְרָ֕אand he called outconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, cry, summon'; here 'called out/commanded' to clear the room.
הוֹצִ֥יאוּtake out!Hiphil impv 2mp · יָצָא (H3318)Direct speech imperative command→ Volitional: urgent command to clear roomיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hiphil 'cause to go out'; the command creates the private space for disclosure.
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier modifying אִישׁכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct with אִישׁ = 'every man/person'.
אִ֖ישׁmanN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of הוֹצִיאוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; every attendant without exception is to leave.
מֵעָלָ֑יfrom beside meprep מִן + prep עַל + suf 1cs · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseCompound prep מֵעַל 'from beside/off'; suf 1cs = from my vicinity.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negationלֹא (H3808) strong negation; records complete compliance with Joseph's command.
עָ֤מַדstoodQal perf 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed clearing of the roomעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand, remain'; neg + עָמַד = no one remained present.
אִישׁ֙a manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of עָמַדאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; as subject after negation functions as indefinite negative: 'no one'.
אִתּ֔וֹwith himprep אֵת + suf 3ms · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with, together with'; none remained in the room with Joseph.
בְּהִתְוַדַּ֥עwhen making himself knownprep בְּ + Hitpael inf constr · יָדַע (H3045)Temporal infinitival phrase→ Hitpael: reflexive self-disclosureיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Hitpael 'make oneself known, reveal oneself'; the private disclosure moment.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of inf phraseיוֹסֵף (H3130); subject of the Hitpael inf, Joseph as agent of self-revelation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipients of Joseph's disclosure.
אֶחָֽיוhis brothersN m pl constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Object of אֶל phraseאָח (H251) 'brother'; suf 3ms 'his brothers', the very ones who sold him.
2

וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֶת קֹל֖וֹ בִּבְכִ֑י וַיִּשְׁמְע֣וּ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע בֵּ֥ית פַּרְעֹֽה

And he gave forth his voice in weeping, and the Egyptians heard, and Pharaoh's house heard.

Joseph’s weeping becomes publicly audibleוַיִּתֵּן
The personal disclosure immediately spills into the larger Egyptian setting through tears that cannot remain hidden.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיִּתֵּ֥ןand he gave forthconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; נָתַן קוֹל 'raise voice' = burst into audible weeping.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
קֹל֖וֹhis voiceN m sg constr + suf 3ms · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object of נָתַןקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; נָתַן קוֹל is idiom for bursting into loud audible weeping.
בִּבְכִ֑יin weepingprep בְּ + N m sg abs · בְּכִי (H1065)Manner prepositional phraseבְּכִי (H1065) 'weeping, wailing'; from בָּכָה 'to weep'; loud, uncontained sobbing.
וַיִּשְׁמְע֣וּand they heardconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen'; the weeping penetrates beyond the cleared room.
מִצְרַ֔יִםthe Egyptiansprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמְעוּמִצְרַיִם (H4713) as collective: the Egyptian attendants; disclosure crosses the private boundary.
וַיִּשְׁמַ֖עand heardconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol, parallel narrative verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085); second hearing: specifically Pharaoh's household registers the news.
בֵּ֥יתhouse ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַע (construct)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; in construct with פַּרְעֹה = Pharaoh's court.
פַּרְעֹֽהPharaohprop noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of בֵּית (construct chain)פַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh', Egyptian royal title; the disclosure resonates to Egypt's highest court.
3

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יוֹסֵ֤ף אֶל אֶחָיו֙ אֲנִ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף הַע֥וֹד אָבִ֖י חָ֑י וְלֹֽא יָכְל֤וּ אֶחָיו֙ לַעֲנ֣וֹת אֹת֔וֹ כִּ֥י נִבְהֲל֖וּ מִפָּנָֽיו

And Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?' But his brothers were not able to answer him, for they were terrified before him.

Joseph names himself and the brothers are shattered by terrorוַיֹּאמֶר
The stark declaration “I am Joseph” turns dread into astonishment, and the brothers cannot yet move from fear to speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; standard narrative speech-introduction formula.
יוֹסֵ֤ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); named as speaker to underscore the gravity of the self-identification.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the addressees of Joseph's speech.
אֶחָיו֙his brothersN m pl constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Object of אֶל phraseאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers have not yet recognized him; now they will.
אֲנִ֣יIpers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589) independent pronoun; the emphatic 'I am Joseph' is the hinge of the chapter.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Predicate of verbless clauseיוֹסֵף (H3130); the bare two-word declaration 'אֲנִי יוֹסֵף' is stark and devastating in its brevity.
הַע֥וֹדis still?interrog הַ + adv · עוֹד (H5750)Interrogative adverbעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet'; + interrog הַ = 'is my father still alive?' — urgency emerges immediately.
אָבִ֖יmy fatherN m sg constr + suf 1cs · אָב (H1)Subject of verbless questionאָב (H1) 'father'; Joseph's first question after self-identification is for his father's welfare.
חָ֑יaliveadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Predicate adjectiveחַי (H2416) 'alive, living'; Joseph's urgent concern for Jacob erupts immediately.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conj + negationלֹא (H3808) strong negation; the brothers' inability to speak is total.
יָכְל֤וּwere ableQal perf 3cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Main predicate verb→ Perfective: completed incapacity to respondיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; same root as v.1 — Joseph cannot restrain, brothers cannot respond.
אֶחָיו֙his brothersN m pl constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Subject of יָכְלוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; guilt, shock, and fear combine to silence them completely.
לַעֲנ֣וֹתto answerprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָנָה (H6030)Complementary infinitive→ Infinitive: incapacity to respondעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; inf after יָכֹל = 'were not able to answer'.
אֹת֔וֹ[obj] himobj marker + suf 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (him)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3ms suffix; Joseph is the one they cannot answer.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason for their speechlessness.
נִבְהֲל֖וּthey were terrifiedNiphal perf 3cp · בָּהַל (H926)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective stative: paralyzed with terrorבָּהַל (H926) 'to be terrified, dismayed'; Niphal 'be thrown into panic'; strong terror at Joseph's unveiled identity.
מִפָּנָֽיוbefore himprep מִן + N m pl constr + suf 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Prep phrase of cause/presenceפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; מִפְּנֵי 'from before, because of' — terror from Joseph's revealed presence.
4

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יוֹסֵ֧ף אֶל אֶחָ֛יו גְּשׁוּ נָ֥א אֵלַ֖י וַיִּגָּ֑שׁוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֲנִי֙ יוֹסֵ֣ף אֲחִיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר מְכַרְתֶּ֥ם אֹתִ֖י מִצְרָֽיְמָה

Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Please come near to me.' And they came near. And he said, 'I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.'

Joseph draws them near and identifies himself as the brother they soldוַיֹּאמֶר
The movement from terror to nearness is immediate but still severe, because Joseph names both kinship and betrayal together.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph speaks again to draw the paralyzed brothers nearer.
יוֹסֵ֧ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); continues as agent who controls the disclosure and reconciliation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
אֶחָ֛יוhis brothersN m pl constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Object of אֶלאָח (H251) 'brother'; still the speechless, terrified brothers.
גְּשׁוּcome nearQal impv 2mp · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Imperative command (direct speech)→ Volitional: Joseph summons them nearנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near, approach'; command moves them from paralyzed distance toward reconciliation.
נָ֥אpleaseentreaty particle · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreatyנָא (H4994) particle of entreaty; softens the command, making Joseph's invitation gentle rather than harsh.
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + suf 1cs · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix; Joseph draws them into his personal space.
וַיִּגָּ֑שׁוּand they drew nearconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near'; the brothers comply — first physical movement toward restored relationship.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph speaks once they are near — full identification follows.
אֲנִי֙I ampers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589) independent pronoun; self-identification repeated now with kinship and accusation added.
יוֹסֵ֣ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Predicate of verbless clauseיוֹסֵף (H3130); second declaration of identity, now up close.
אֲחִיכֶ֔םyour brotherN m sg constr + suf 2mp · אָח (H251)Apposition to יוֹסֵףאָח (H251) 'brother'; 'your brother Joseph' — kinship asserted over the long rupture.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (object)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the clause naming the brothers' act.
מְכַרְתֶּ֥םyou soldQal perf 2mp · מָכַר (H4376)Relative clause predicate→ Perfective: the completed act of sellingמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; Joseph names the brothers' act plainly — 'whom you sold' — without euphemism.
אֹתִ֖י[obj] meobj marker + suf 1cs · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (me)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 1cs suffix; Joseph as direct object of the brothers' sale.
מִצְרָֽיְמָהto Egyptprop noun + directional ה · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative directional noun phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; directional suffix ה adds 'toward/into'; destination of the sale.
5

וְעַתָּ֣ה אַל תֵּעָ֣צְב֗וּ וְאַל יִ֨חַר֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם כִּֽי מְכַרְתֶּ֥ם אֹתִ֖י הֵ֑נָּה כִּ֣י לְמִֽחְיָ֔ה שְׁלָחַ֥נִי אֱלֹהִ֖ים לִפְנֵיכֶֽם

'And now, do not be grieved, and let it not burn in your eyes that you sold me here, for God sent me before you for life.'

Joseph begins reframing the sale through divine purposeוְעַתָּה
He does not erase the brothers’ act, but he turns their attention from consuming grief toward God’s preserving design.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְעַתָּ֣הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal transitional adverbעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; with וְ marks transition from past grief to present reinterpretation.
אַלdo notneg particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) negative for jussives/prohibitions; softer than לֹא; 'do not be grieved'.
תֵּעָ֣צְב֗וּbe grievedNiphal jussive 2mp · עָצַב (H6087)Jussive prohibition→ Yiqtol volitional: prohibition of continued griefעָצַב (H6087) 'to grieve, be pained'; Niphal jussive 'do not be distressed'; Joseph forbids the brothers' self-reproach.
וְאַלand do notconj וְ + neg particle · אַל (H408)Coordinating conj + negationParallel prohibition structure: אַל + jussive repeated for emphasis.
יִ֨חַר֙burnQal jussive 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Jussive prohibition (second member)→ Yiqtol volitional: prohibition of consuming griefחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; idiom חָרָה בְּעֵינֵי 'burn in the eyes' = to grieve or be incensed.
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔םin your eyesprep בְּ + N f dual constr + suf 2mp · עַיִן (H5869)Idiomatic prepositional phraseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; חָרָה בְּעֵינֵי idiom for consuming grief or resentment in one's perception.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/object conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; introduces the content of what must not cause grief.
מְכַרְתֶּ֥םyou soldQal perf 2mp · מָכַר (H4376)Object clause predicate verb→ Perfective: the completed act named againמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; repeated acknowledgment, yet now set within divine Providence.
אֹתִ֖י[obj] meobj marker + suf 1cs · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הֵ֑נָּהhereadv · הֵנָּה (H2008)Locative adverbהֵנָּה (H2008) 'hither, here'; Egypt as the place of the sale and destination.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the providential reinterpretation of the brothers' deed.
לְמִֽחְיָ֔הfor lifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · מִחְיָה (H4241)Purpose prepositional phraseמִחְיָה (H4241) 'sustenance, preservation of life'; from חָיָה 'to live'; God's purpose for sending Joseph.
שְׁלָחַ֥נִיsent meQal perf 3ms + suf 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (subject: God)→ Perfective: God's completed prior sendingשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; God—not the brothers—is named as the true sender; Joseph reframes causality.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of שְׁלָחַנִיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; Joseph names God—not fate—as the agent who sent him to Egypt.
לִפְנֵיכֶֽםbefore youprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of priorityפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before, ahead of'; God sent Joseph in advance to prepare preservation.
6

כִּי זֶ֛ה שְׁנָתַ֥יִם הָרָעָ֖ב בְּקֶ֣רֶב הָאָ֑רֶץ וְעוֹד֙ חָמֵ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵין חָרִ֖ישׁ וְקָצִּֽיר

'For these two years the famine has been in the midst of the land, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.'

The ongoing famine explains the urgency of preservationכִּי
The providential interpretation is grounded in real economic crisis: the family still faces years of danger.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the claim of divine sending in the tangible crisis of ongoing famine.
זֶ֛הthesedem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative subject (temporal)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; with שְׁנָתַיִם functions as temporal demonstrative: 'these two years now'.
שְׁנָתַ֥יִםtwo yearsN f dual abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal subjectשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; dual = two years of famine already elapsed of the projected seven.
הָרָעָ֖בthe famineart + N m sg abs · רָעָב (H7458)Subject nominativeרָעָב (H7458) 'famine, hunger'; article marks it as the well-known, ongoing famine of Joseph's dream interpretation.
בְּקֶ֣רֶבin the midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, interior'; בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ — the famine pervades the whole land.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of בְּקֶרֶבאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the whole inhabited land, not a regional shortage.
וְעוֹד֙and stillconj וְ + adv · עוֹד (H5750)Additive adverb (temporal)עוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet'; marks that more famine years remain — the crisis is not over.
חָמֵ֣שׁfiveN f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral (subject)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; five more years remain — 2+5=7, matching Pharaoh's dream of seven lean years.
שָׁנִ֔יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Quantified nounשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; pl with חָמֵשׁ = five years; the urgency of relocation grounded in this timeline.
אֲשֶׁ֥רin whichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (temporal)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces the characterization of those remaining famine years.
אֵיןthere is noneg particle · אֵין (H369)Existential negationאֵין (H369) particle of non-existence; with following nouns denotes complete agricultural cessation.
חָרִ֖ישׁplowingN m sg abs · חָרִישׁ (H2758)Subject of אֵיןחָרִישׁ (H2758) 'plowing, tillage'; from חָרַשׁ 'to plow'; the agricultural cycle entirely suspended.
וְקָצִּֽירand harvestconj וְ + N m sg abs · קָצִיר (H7105)Coordinated second subjectקָצִיר (H7105) 'harvest, reaping'; paired with חָרִישׁ as merism for all agricultural activity.
7

וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֤נִי אֱלֹהִים֙ לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם לָשׂ֥וּם לָכֶ֛ם שְׁאֵרִ֖ית בָּאָ֑רֶץ וּלְהַחֲי֣וֹת לָכֶ֔ם לִפְלֵיטָ֖ה גְּדֹלָֽה

'And God sent me before you to set for you a remnant in the land and to keep you alive for a great deliverance.'

God’s sending is defined as remnant-preservation and deliveranceוַיִּשְׁלָחֵנִי
The narrative’s theology reaches its strongest form here, where survival is described in collective and covenantal terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֤נִיand he sent meconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + suf 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; third divine-sending statement intensifying the providential pattern.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיִּשְׁלָחֵנִיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; God is the sending agent — the brothers are instruments, not ultimate cause.
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔םbefore youprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of priorityפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before, ahead of'; God sent Joseph in advance to prepare.
לָשׂ֥וּםto establishprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שִׂים (H7760)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: divine purpose in sending Josephשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, establish'; inf of purpose after sending verb: God sent to establish a remnant.
לָכֶ֛םfor youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְBenefactive prepositional phrasePrep לְ with 2mp suffix = dative of benefit: preservation benefits the brothers specifically.
שְׁאֵרִ֖יתa remnantN f sg abs · שְׁאֵרִית (H7611)Direct object of לָשׂוּםשְׁאֵרִית (H7611) 'remnant, survivor group'; from שָׁאַר 'remain'; covenantal term for preserved community.
בָּאָ֑רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; preservation of Israel as a community in the inhabited world.
וּלְהַחֲי֣וֹתand to keep aliveconj וְ + prep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · חָיָה (H2421)Coordinated purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: Hiphil causative purposeחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; Hiphil 'cause to live, keep alive'; second divine purpose — life itself.
לָכֶ֔םfor youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְBenefactive prepositional phraseDative of benefit repeated; double לָכֶם emphasizes brothers and family as specific beneficiaries.
לִפְלֵיטָ֖הfor deliveranceprep לְ + N f sg abs · פְּלֵיטָה (H6413)Purpose prepositional phraseפְּלֵיטָה (H6413) 'deliverance, escape'; from פָּלַט 'to escape'; Israel survives as a delivered remnant.
גְּדֹלָֽהgreatadj f sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjectiveגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; modifies פְּלֵיטָה; the deliverance is of great scope or significance.
8

וְעַתָּ֗ה לֹֽא אַתֶּ֞ם שְׁלַחְתֶּ֤ם אֹתִי֙ הֵ֔נָּה כִּ֖י הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיְשִׂימֵ֨נִֽי לְאָ֜ב לְפַרְעֹ֗ה וּלְאָדוֹן֙ לְכָל בֵּית֔וֹ וּמֹשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם

'And now, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.'

Joseph denies ultimate human authorship of his Egyptian riseוְעַתָּה
The brothers sent him in guilt, yet Joseph places the decisive causality with God who made him powerful in Pharaoh’s house.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal transitional adverbעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; parallel to v.5, completing the theological argument.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) strong negation; Joseph explicitly denies the brothers as ultimate agents.
אַתֶּ֞םyoupers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Emphasized subject (fronted)אַתֶּם (H859) independent 2mp pronoun; emphatic fronting: 'not you (but God) sent me'.
שְׁלַחְתֶּ֤םsentQal perf 2mp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (negated)→ Perfective: act named then denied ultimate causalityשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the brothers did sell him, yet God's causality overrides theirs.
אֹתִי֙[obj] meobj marker + suf 1cs · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הֵ֔נָּהhereadv · הֵנָּה (H2008)Locative adverbהֵנָּה (H2008) 'hither, here'; Egypt as the destination.
כִּ֖יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'but, rather'; adversative here: 'not you, but God'.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject (adversative clause)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with article הָ; 'the God' — the specific deity who orchestrated these events.
וַיְשִׂימֵ֨נִֽיand he made meconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + suf 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, appoint'; God appointed Joseph to his threefold Egyptian role.
לְאָ֜בas a fatherprep לְ + N m sg abs · אָב (H1)Predicate complement (first role)אָב (H1) 'father'; 'father to Pharaoh' is a court title for senior advisor or patron figure.
לְפַרְעֹ֗הto Pharaohprep לְ + prop noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Dative of relationפַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; the king to whom Joseph serves as senior counselor.
וּלְאָדוֹן֙and lordconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg abs · אָדוֹן (H113)Second predicate complementאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; highest secular authority over Pharaoh's household.
לְכָלover allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Extent prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; in construct with בֵּיתוֹ: Joseph's authority over the whole royal household.
בֵּית֔וֹhis houseN m sg constr + suf 3ms · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive of לְכָל (construct)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; Pharaoh's entire household under Joseph's governance.
וּמֹשֵׁ֖לand rulerconj וְ + Qal act ptc m sg abs · מָשַׁל (H4910)Third predicate complement (participial)→ Ptc: ongoing rule over all Egyptמָשַׁל (H4910) 'to rule, govern'; Qal ptc = 'one ruling, ruler'; authority extends over all Egypt.
בְּכָלover allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Extent prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; with אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם — Joseph's domain is all of Egypt.
אֶ֥רֶץland ofN f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive in construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; Joseph is effectively viceroy of all Egypt — the full scope of divine promotion.
9

מַהֲרוּ֮ וַעֲל֣וּ אֶל אָבִי֒ וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם אֵלָ֗יו כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ בִּנְךָ֣ יוֹסֵ֔ף שָׂמַ֧נִי אֱלֹהִ֛ים לְאָד֖וֹן לְכָל מִצְרָ֑יִם רְדָ֥ה אֵלַ֖י אַֽל תַּעֲמֹֽד

'Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not delay.'

Providential interpretation becomes urgent commandמַהֲרוּ
Joseph turns disclosure into mission: the father must be told and brought down without delay.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
מַהֲרוּ֮hurry!Piel impv 2mp · מָהַר (H4116)Imperative command→ Volitional: urgent command to hastenמָהַר (H4116) 'to hasten'; Piel impv — first of a rapid sequence of imperatives reflecting Joseph's urgency.
וַעֲל֣וּand go upconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · עָלָה (H5927)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: command to return to Canaanעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; travel from Egypt to Canaan is geographically and culturally 'going up'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directs the brothers' mission to Jacob.
אָבִי֒my fatherN m sg constr + suf 1cs · אָב (H1)Object of אֶלאָב (H1) 'father'; Joseph speaks of Jacob as 'my father' — filial bond asserted across years of separation.
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֣םand sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal of sequential command→ Weqatal: consequential future after imperativeאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; weqatal after imperative continues the command sequence: go up, then say.
אֵלָ֗יוto himprep אֶל + suf 3ms · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 3ms suffix = to Jacob; the brothers become messengers from Joseph to his father.
כֹּ֤הthusadv · כֹּה (H3541)Manner adverb (messenger formula)כֹּה (H3541) 'thus, so'; כֹּה אָמַר is the standard messenger formula introducing a direct quotation.
אָמַר֙saysQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Messenger formula verb→ Perfective used as epistolary formulaאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; כֹּה אָמַר X is the ancient messenger formula: 'Thus says X'.
בִּנְךָ֣your sonN m sg constr + suf 2ms · בֵּן (H1121)Subject in messenger formulaבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Joseph identifies himself to Jacob as 'your son' — restoring the father-son bond.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Apposition to בִּנְךָיוֹסֵף (H3130); named after the relational descriptor 'your son' — son first, then name.
שָׂמַ֧נִיhas made meQal perf 3ms + suf 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (reported speech)→ Perfective: God's completed appointmentשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, appoint'; God set Joseph as lord over all Egypt.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of שָׂמַנִיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; consistently identified as the agent behind Joseph's elevation.
לְאָד֖וֹןas lordprep לְ + N m sg abs · אָדוֹן (H113)Predicate complementאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; same title as v.8; the message to Jacob echoes Joseph's self-description.
לְכָלover allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Extent prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the scope of Joseph's lordship is universal within Egypt.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive in construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the message conveys Joseph's full authority to motivate Jacob's descent.
רְדָ֥הcome downQal impv 2ms + paragogic ה · יָרַד (H3381)Imperative command (to Jacob)→ Volitional: urgent summons to Jacobיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; travel from Canaan to Egypt is 'going down'; summons is direct.
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + suf 1cs · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix; directs Jacob's descent toward Joseph personally.
אַֽלdo notneg particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) negative for jussives/prohibitions; paired with jussive תַּעֲמֹד.
תַּעֲמֹֽדdelayQal jussive 2ms · עָמַד (H5975)Jussive prohibition→ Yiqtol volitional: prohibition against delayעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand, remain'; idiomatically 'do not delay'; the remaining famine years demand urgency.
10

וְיָשַׁבְתָּ֣ בְאֶֽרֶץ גֹּ֗שֶׁן וְהָיִ֤יתָ קָרוֹב֙ אֵלַ֔י אַתָּ֕ה וּבָנֶ֖יךָ וּבְנֵ֣י בָנֶ֑יךָ וְצֹאנְךָ֥ וּבְקָרְךָ֖ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לָֽךְ

'And you shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your sons and your sons' sons and your flocks and your herds and all that is yours.'

Goshen is offered as a sphere of nearness and protectionוְיָשַׁבְתָּ
The family is not merely invited to survive in Egypt, but to dwell near Joseph under his care.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְיָשַׁבְתָּ֣and you shall dwellconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Weqatal of sequential promise→ Weqatal: consequential future — you will dwellיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, abide'; weqatal continues the command sequence with a promise of settlement.
בְאֶֽרֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with גֹּשֶׁן — specifies the region of promised settlement.
גֹּ֗שֶׁןGoshenprop noun · גֹּשֶׁן (H1657)Genitive in construct chainגֹּשֶׁן (H1657) the region of Egypt (eastern Nile Delta) where Israel will settle near Joseph.
וְהָיִ֤יתָand you shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal of sequential promise→ Weqatal: consequential future stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist, become'; weqatal continues with the state of nearness to Joseph.
קָרוֹב֙nearadj m sg abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Predicate adjectiveקָרוֹב (H7138) 'near, close'; from קָרַב 'to draw near'; proximity to Joseph is the key benefit of Goshen.
אֵלַ֔יto meprep אֶל + suf 1cs · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix; nearness to Joseph himself is the promise.
אַתָּ֕הyoupers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Appositive subject (enumeration begins)אַתָּה (H859) independent pronoun; begins the enumeration of all who will dwell near Joseph.
וּבָנֶ֖יךָand your sonsconj וּ + N m pl constr + suf 2ms · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinated subject (enumeration)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; suf 2ms 'your sons'; second member of the enumeration.
וּבְנֵ֣יand sons ofconj וּ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinated noun (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct with following בָנֶיךָ = grandsons.
בָנֶ֑יךָyour sonsN m pl constr + suf 2ms · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of בְּנֵי (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; suf 2ms = your sons' sons, your grandsons; three generations near Joseph.
וְצֹאנְךָ֥and your flocksconj וְ + N m sg constr + suf 2ms · צֹאן (H6629)Coordinated subject (enumeration)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep and goats'; collective; the pastoral wealth of Jacob's household included.
וּבְקָרְךָ֖and your herdsconj וּ + N m sg constr + suf 2ms · בָּקָר (H1241)Coordinated subject (enumeration)בָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd, oxen'; paired with צֹאן as the two categories of Jacob's livestock.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Final all-encompassing quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; finalizes the enumeration with a catch-all phrase.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces 'all that belongs to you'.
לָֽךְis yoursprep לְ + suf 2ms · לְPossessive prepositional phrasePrep לְ with suf; 'that which is yours' — total provision encompassing Jacob's household.
11

וְכִלְכַּלְתִּ֤י אֹֽתְךָ֙ שָׁ֔ם כִּי ע֛וֹד חָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים רָעָ֑ב פֶּן תִּוָּרֵ֛שׁ אַתָּ֥ה וּבֵֽיתְךָ֖ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לָֽךְ

'And I will provide for you there, for there are yet five years of famine, lest you and your household and all that is yours come to poverty.'

Joseph promises concrete provision through the remaining famineוְכִלְכַּלְתִּי
The revelation is completed by an economic pledge that answers the famine with sustained care.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְכִלְכַּלְתִּ֤יand I will provideconj וְ + Piel (Pilpel) weqatal 1cs · כּוּל (H3557)Weqatal promise (Joseph as provider)→ Weqatal: consequential future — I will sustainכּוּל (H3557) 'to contain, sustain'; Pilpel 'to provide for, nourish'; Joseph pledges personal provision.
אֹֽתְךָ֙[obj] youobj marker + suf 2ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
שָׁ֔םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers to Goshen; Joseph will provide for Jacob in that place.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the necessity of provision in the ongoing famine.
ע֛וֹדstilladv · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal adverbעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet'; five more famine years remain — hence Joseph must provide.
חָמֵ֥שׁfiveN f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral (subject)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; the exact count of remaining famine years requiring sustained provision.
שָׁנִ֖יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Quantified nounשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; pl with חָמֵשׁ = five years of continued famine.
רָעָ֑בof famineN m sg abs · רָעָב (H7458)Predicate nominative (verbless clause)רָעָב (H7458) 'famine, hunger'; predicate: 'there are five more years of famine'.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, otherwise'; introduces the negative consequence to be averted by provision.
תִּוָּרֵ֛שׁyou be dispossessedNiphal impf 2ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Niphal impf (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: feared potential outcomeיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess/dispossess'; Niphal 'be impoverished'; the feared outcome without Joseph's provision.
אַתָּ֥הyoupers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of תִּוָּרֵשׁ (appositive)אַתָּה (H859) independent pronoun; emphatic appositive identifying Jacob as primary subject.
וּבֵֽיתְךָ֖and your householdconj וּ + N m sg constr + suf 2ms · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinated subjectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; suf 2ms — the whole family is at risk without provision.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Final all-encompassing quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; catch-all for Jacob's total possessions and household.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces 'all that is yours'.
לָֽךְis yoursprep לְ + suf 2ms · לְPossessive prepositional phrasePrep לְ with suf; 'that which is yours' — total possessions covered by Joseph's pledge.
12

וְהִנֵּ֤ה עֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ רֹא֔וֹת וְעֵינֵ֖י אָחִ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ין כִּי פִ֖י הַֽמְדַבֵּ֥ר אֲלֵיכֶֽם

'And behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.'

Joseph appeals to visible evidence that the disclosure is realוְהִנֵּה
Their own eyes, and especially Benjamin’s, are invoked as witnesses that the speaker is truly Joseph.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (attention)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; draws attention to the visible evidence being offered as proof.
עֵֽינֵיכֶם֙your eyesN f dual constr + suf 2mp · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of verbless clauseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual with 2mp suffix; the brothers' own sight invoked as evidence.
רֹא֔וֹתseeingQal ptc f pl abs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate participle→ Ptc: ongoing perception — you are seeingרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Qal ptc 'seeing'; their eyes are witnesses that Joseph is really present.
וְעֵינֵ֖יand eyes ofconj וְ + N f dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Coordinated subjectעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual constr; Benjamin's eyes are invoked as additional corroborating witnesses.
אָחִ֣יmy brotherN m sg constr + suf 1cs · אָח (H251)Genitive of וְעֵינֵי (construct)אָח (H251) 'brother'; suf 1cs — Joseph calls Benjamin 'my brother', the bond of shared mother.
בִנְיָמִ֑יןBenjaminprop noun · בִּנְיָמִין (H1144)Apposition to אָחִיבִּנְיָמִין (H1144) 'Benjamin'; son of Rachel; the only full brother; special witness to the disclosure.
כִּיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Assertive conjunction (object clause)כִּי (H3588) 'that, for'; introduces what the eyes see: 'it is my mouth speaking to you'.
פִ֖יmy mouthN m sg constr + suf 1cs · פֶּה (H6310)Subject of verbless clauseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; suf 1cs 'my mouth'; the organ of speech as authenticating identity.
הַֽמְדַבֵּ֥רthe one speakingart + Piel ptc m sg abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate ptc (substantival)→ Ptc: the one presently speakingדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel ptc 'the one speaking'; the voice addressing them is Joseph's own.
אֲלֵיכֶֽםto youprep אֶל + suf 2mp · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 2mp suffix; the disclosure is direct — Joseph speaks to them face to face.
13

וְהִגַּדְתֶּ֣ם לְאָבִ֗י אֶת כָּל כְּבוֹדִי֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם וְאֵ֖ת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֣ר רְאִיתֶ֑ם וּמִֽהַרְתֶּ֛ם וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֥ם אֶת אָבִ֖י הֵֽנָּה

'And you shall tell my father all my glory in Egypt and all that you have seen, and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.'

The brothers are commissioned to report and to bring Jacob downוְהִגַּדְתֶּם
Joseph’s status in Egypt is not private triumph; it must be translated into the father’s relocation and preservation.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהִגַּדְתֶּ֣םand you shall tellconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · נָגַד (H5046)Weqatal of sequential command→ Weqatal: consequential future commandנָגַד (H5046) 'to declare, report'; Hiphil 'announce, tell'; the brothers are commissioned as messengers.
לְאָבִ֗יto my fatherprep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 1cs · אָב (H1)Dative prepositional phraseאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 1cs — Joseph refers to Jacob as 'my father'; the report must reach him.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier modifying כְּבוֹדִיכֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; in construct: 'all my glory' — the totality of Joseph's Egyptian honor.
כְּבוֹדִי֙my gloryN m sg constr + suf 1cs · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Direct object of וְהִגַּדְתֶּםכָּבוֹד (H3519) 'glory, honor, weight, status'; suf 1cs; Joseph's entire Egyptian status must be reported to Jacob.
בְּמִצְרַ֔יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + prop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the location and context of Joseph's glory — his authority in Egypt.
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + object markerSecond object marker introducing the coordinated second object of וְהִגַּדְתֶּם.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; repeated quantifier: report everything witnessed.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces 'all that you have seen'.
רְאִיתֶ֑םyou have seenQal perf 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Relative clause predicate→ Perfective: completed eyewitness actרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; their firsthand experience in Egypt serves as proof for Jacob.
וּמִֽהַרְתֶּ֛םand hurryconj וּ + Piel weqatal 2mp · מָהַר (H4116)Weqatal of sequential urgent command→ Weqatal: consequential urgent commandמָהַר (H4116) 'to hasten'; Piel 'hurry, make haste'; the urgency of the mission is underscored.
וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֥םand bring downconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · יָרַד (H3381)Weqatal of sequential command→ Weqatal: consequential future commandיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Hiphil 'cause to go down, bring down'; brothers must physically transport Jacob.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אָבִ֖יmy fatherN m sg constr + suf 1cs · אָב (H1)Direct object of וְהוֹרַדְתֶּםאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 1cs — Joseph's father is the person to be brought down to Egypt.
הֵֽנָּהhereadv · הֵנָּה (H2008)Locative adverbהֵנָּה (H2008) 'hither, here'; Egypt/Joseph's location is the destination of the commanded migration.
14

וַיִּפֹּ֛ל עַל צַוְּארֵ֥י בִנְיָמִֽן אָחִ֖יו וַיֵּ֑בְךְּ וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן בָּכָ֖ה עַל צַוָּארָֽיו

And he fell upon Benjamin his brother's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

Joseph first embraces Benjamin in open tearsוַיִּפֹּל
The favored younger brother stands at the front of the restored physical affection that had long been withheld.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּפֹּ֛לand he fell uponconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; here 'fall upon the neck' = embrace; physical reconciliation begins.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; with צַוָּאר 'upon the neck' — the embrace idiom.
צַוְּארֵ֥יthe neck ofN m pl constr · צַוָּאר (H6677)Object of עַל (construct)צַוָּאר (H6677) 'neck'; pl constr; falling on someone's neck denotes tearful embrace.
בִנְיָמִֽןBenjaminprop noun · בִּנְיָמִין (H1144)Genitive of צַוְּארֵיבִּנְיָמִין (H1144) 'Benjamin'; the full brother; embraced first in the movement of restored affection.
אָחִ֖יוhis brotherN m sg constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Apposition to בִנְיָמִןאָח (H251) 'brother'; suf 3ms — appositive marking the full-brother bond between them.
וַיֵּ֑בְךְּand weptconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּכָה (H1058)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep'; Joseph weeps openly upon Benjamin's neck — the long-suppressed grief released.
וּבִנְיָמִ֔ןand Benjaminconj וּ + prop noun · בִּנְיָמִין (H1144)Subject of following clauseבִּנְיָמִין (H1144) 'Benjamin'; subject shift: Benjamin reciprocates the emotional reunion.
בָּכָ֖הweptQal perf 3ms · בָּכָה (H1058)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed act of weepingבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep'; Benjamin's weeping mirrors Joseph's — the reunion is mutual.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; marks the recipient of Benjamin's weeping embrace.
צַוָּארָֽיוhis neckN m pl constr + suf 3ms · צַוָּאר (H6677)Object of עַלצַוָּאר (H6677) 'neck'; suf 3ms 'his neck' = Joseph's; Benjamin weeps upon the neck of the restored brother.
15

וַיְנַשֵּׁ֥ק לְכָל אֶחָ֖יו וַיֵּ֣בְךְּ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְאַ֣חֲרֵי כֵ֔ן דִּבְּר֥וּ אֶחָ֖יו אִתּֽוֹ

And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and afterward his brothers spoke with him.

Joseph embraces all the brothers and speech becomes possibleוַיְנַשֵּׁק
Weeping over all the brothers breaks the terror enough that conversation can finally begin.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיְנַשֵּׁ֥קand he kissedconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשַׁק (H5401)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשַׁק (H5401) 'to kiss'; Piel; extends the physical reconciliation from Benjamin to all the brothers.
לְכָלallprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Extent prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the reconciliation extends without exception to every brother.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Object of לְכָל phraseאָח (H251) 'brother'; all the brothers receive the kiss of reconciliation.
וַיֵּ֣בְךְּand weptconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּכָה (H1058)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep'; Joseph weeps over all — the full emotional weight of reunification.
עֲלֵיהֶ֑םover themprep עַל + suf 3mp · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of directionעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; with 3mp suffix 'over them'; weeping upon all the brothers.
וְאַ֣חֲרֵיand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with כֵּן = 'after that/afterward'.
כֵ֔ןthatadv · כֵּן (H3651)Temporal adverb (coreferential)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, that'; אַחֲרֵי כֵן 'after that, afterward' — marks the temporal sequence.
דִּבְּר֥וּspokePiel perf 3cp · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: speech becomes possible after tearsדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel; speech finally becomes possible after weeping breaks the brothers' terror.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Subject of דִּבְּרוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers — previously silenced by terror — can now speak with Joseph.
אִתּֽוֹwith himprep אֵת + suf 3ms · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; comitative; dialogue replaces the earlier paralyzed silence.
16

וְהַקֹּ֣ל נִשְׁמַ֗ע בֵּ֤ית פַּרְעֹה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֖אוּ אֲחֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֑ף וַיִּיטַב֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה וּבְעֵינֵ֖י עֲבָדָֽיו

And the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, 'Joseph's brothers have come.' And it was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants.

The news of the brothers reaches Pharaoh’s houseוְהַקֹּל
What began as a private family disclosure becomes a matter of royal interest and goodwill.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְהַקֹּ֣לand the reportconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · קוֹל (H6963)Subject of נִשְׁמַעקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound, report'; here 'the news'; the weeping and disclosure become known in Pharaoh's palace.
נִשְׁמַ֗עwas heardNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb→ Perfective stative: the report had reached the palaceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; Niphal 'be heard'; the news of Joseph's brothers spread to Pharaoh's court.
בֵּ֤יתhouse ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative complement (construct)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; בֵּית פַּרְעֹה = Pharaoh's court/palace.
פַּרְעֹה֙Pharaohprop noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of בֵּית (construct)פַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; the royal court that hears the news and responds with approval.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival clause of content→ Infinitive: content of the reportאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר introduces the content of what was heard — the brothers' arrival.
בָּ֖אוּhave comeQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate of quoted report→ Perfective: completed arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the arrival of Joseph's brothers is the content of the palace report.
אֲחֵ֣יbrothers ofN m pl constr · אָח (H251)Subject of בָּאוּ (construct)אָח (H251) 'brother'; pl constr; identified by family relation to the viceroy.
יוֹסֵ֑ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive of אֲחֵי (construct)יוֹסֵף (H3130); the brothers are identified by their relation to Egypt's lord.
וַיִּיטַב֙and it was goodconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָטַב (H3190) 'to be good, be pleasing'; the news pleases Pharaoh — royal goodwill is extended to Joseph's family.
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin eyes ofprep בְּ + N f dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Idiomatic prepositional phraseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom יָטַב בְּעֵינֵי 'be good in the eyes of' = be pleasing, be approved.
פַרְעֹ֔הPharaohprop noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of בְּעֵינֵיפַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; his approval legitimizes the family's migration to Egypt.
וּבְעֵינֵ֖יand in eyes ofconj וּ + prep בְּ + N f dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Coordinated idiomatic phraseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the parallel phrase extends approval from Pharaoh to his entire court.
עֲבָדָֽיוhis servantsN m pl constr + suf 3ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive of וּבְעֵינֵיעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, courtier'; suf 3ms 'his servants' = Pharaoh's officials; unanimous royal approval.
17

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר פַּרְעֹה֙ אֶל יוֹסֵ֔ף אֱמֹ֥ר אֶל אַחֶ֖יךָ זֹ֣את עֲשׂ֑וּ טַֽעֲנוּ֙ אֶת בְּעִ֣ירְכֶ֔ם וּלְכוּ בֹ֖אוּ אַ֥רְצָה כְּנָֽעַן

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, Do this: load your beasts, and go, come to the land of Canaan.'

Pharaoh authorizes the return mission to Canaanוַיֹּאמֶר
Royal speech now joins Joseph’s invitation, reinforcing the legitimacy and generosity of the coming migration.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Pharaoh now adds his royal voice to Joseph's invitation.
פַּרְעֹה֙Pharaohprop noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרפַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; royal speech adds authority and legitimacy to the migration.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the command goes through Joseph as intermediary.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Object of אֶליוֹסֵף (H3130); Pharaoh addresses Joseph directly — the royal instruction passes through the viceroy.
אֱמֹ֥רsayQal impv 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Imperative command (direct speech)→ Volitional: Pharaoh commands Joseph to relay ordersאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Qal impv — Pharaoh commands Joseph to relay the royal instruction to the brothers.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; Joseph is to relay the message to his brothers.
אַחֶ֖יךָyour brothersN m pl constr + suf 2ms · אָח (H251)Object of אֶלאָח (H251) 'brother'; suf 2ms 'your brothers' — Pharaoh speaks of Joseph's brothers as family.
זֹ֣אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Object/theme of עֲשׂוּזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; the demonstrative introduces the specific series of commands that follow.
עֲשׂ֑וּdoQal impv 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Imperative command (to brothers)→ Volitional: command to carry out royal instructionsעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, carry out'; impv 2mp — the general royal command to execute these instructions.
טַֽעֲנוּ֙load upQal impv 2mp · טָעַן (H2943)Imperative command→ Volitional: command to load pack animalsטָעַן (H2943) 'to load, lade'; impv; load the animals for the journey back to Canaan.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בְּעִ֣ירְכֶ֔םyour animalsN m sg constr + suf 2mp · בְּעִיר (H1165)Direct object of טַעֲנוּבְּעִיר (H1165) 'beast, pack animal'; the animals to be loaded with goods for the journey.
וּלְכוּand goconj וּ + Qal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: command to departהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; impv — depart from Egypt once loaded.
בֹ֖אוּcomeQal impv 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Coordinated imperative (directional)→ Volitional: command to arrive at Canaanבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; impv — arrive in the land of Canaan to bring the father.
אַ֥רְצָהto the land ofN f sg constr + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative directional noun phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; directional suffix ה = 'toward/into the land of'; Canaan is the destination.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanprop noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive in construct chainכְּנַעַן (H3667) 'Canaan'; the land of Jacob and the patriarchal sojourn; brothers sent back to retrieve the father.
18

וּקְח֧וּ אֶת אֲבִיכֶ֛ם וְאֶת בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם וּבֹ֣אוּ אֵלָ֑י וְאֶתְּנָ֣ה לָכֶ֗ם אֶת טוּב֙ אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם וְאִכְל֖וּ אֶת חֵ֥לֶב הָאָֽרֶץ

'And take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.'

Pharaoh invites the whole household to Egypt’s good landוּקְחוּ
The promise expands from bare survival to the enjoyment of Egypt’s abundance.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וּקְח֧וּand takeconj וּ + Qal impv 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: command to bring Jacob and householdלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; impv 2mp; the brothers are commanded to take their father and households.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֲבִיכֶ֛םyour fatherN m sg constr + suf 2mp · אָב (H1)Direct object of וּקְחוּאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 2mp 'your father' — Jacob is the first and primary object of the command.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + object markerSecond coordinated object marker.
בָּתֵּיכֶ֖םyour householdsN m pl constr + suf 2mp · בַּיִת (H1004)Direct object (second)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; pl suf 2mp = entire extended households; all are to migrate.
וּבֹ֣אוּand comeconj וּ + Qal impv 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: command to come to Egyptבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; impv 2mp — the command to migrate to Egypt follows taking the father.
אֵלָ֑יto meprep אֶל + suf 1cs · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix = to Joseph; Pharaoh directs the family to come specifically to Joseph.
וְאֶתְּנָ֣הand I will giveconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Cohortative promise (Pharaoh)→ Cohortative: volitional first-person pledgeנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; cohortative 1cs = emphatic future promise by Pharaoh to give the good land.
לָכֶ֗םto youprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְDative of benefitPrep לְ with 2mp suffix; the benefit of the land is directed to the brothers and family.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
טוּב֙the good ofN m sg constr · טוֹב (H2898)Direct object of וְאֶתְּנָה (construct)טוֹב (H2898) 'good, goodness, best'; in construct: 'the good of the land' = the finest produce of Egypt.
אֶ֣רֶץland ofN f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive in construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; 'the best of Egypt' — royal generosity at its fullest extent.
וְאִכְל֖וּand eatconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: invitation to enjoy abundanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; impv 2mp; eat the fat = enjoy full access to Egypt's bounty.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
חֵ֥לֶבthe fat ofN m sg constr · חֵלֶב (H2459)Direct object of וְאִכְלוּ (construct)חֵלֶב (H2459) 'fat, richest part'; 'fat of the land' idiom for the choicest produce — highest abundance.
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of חֵלֶב (construct)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the land of Egypt; 'fat of the land' = the richest provision available.
19

וְאַתָּ֥ה צֻוֵּ֖יתָה זֹ֣את עֲשׂ֑וּ קְחוּ לָכֶם֩ מֵאֶ֨רֶץ מִצְרַ֜יִם עֲגָל֗וֹת לְטַפְּכֶם֙ וְלִנְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם וּנְשָׂאתֶ֥ם אֶת אֲבִיכֶ֖ם וּבָאתֶֽם

'And you are commanded: do this. Take for yourselves from the land of Egypt wagons for your little ones and for your wives, and carry your father and come.'

Wagons are commanded for the vulnerable members of the familyוְאַתָּה
The migration is equipped materially, especially for children, wives, and the aging father.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאַתָּ֥הand youconj וְ + pers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphasized subjectאַתָּה (H859) independent pronoun; fronted for emphasis — Joseph is addressed specifically regarding the command.
צֻוֵּ֖יתָהare commandedPual perf 2ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (Pual passive)→ Perfective stative: you are hereby commandedצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Pual 'be commanded'; Pharaoh charges Joseph with equipping the family.
זֹ֣אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Object/theme of עֲשׂוּזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; demonstrative pronoun introducing the following specific command.
עֲשׂ֑וּdoQal impv 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Imperative command→ Volitional: command to carry out royal instructionsעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, carry out'; impv 2mp; the general command broadened to include taking wagons.
קְחוּtakeQal impv 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Imperative command→ Volitional: command to obtain wagonsלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; impv 2mp; take wagons from Egypt for the vulnerable family members.
לָכֶם֩for yourselvesprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְDative of interestPrep לְ with 2mp suffix; reflexive/ethic dative of interest — 'for yourselves'.
מֵאֶ֨רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the wagons come from Egypt specifically — Pharaoh supplies the transport.
מִצְרַ֜יִםEgyptprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of מֵאֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; royal Egyptian resources provided for the family's migration.
עֲגָל֗וֹתwagonsN f pl abs · עֲגָלָה (H5699)Direct object of קְחוּעֲגָלָה (H5699) 'wagon, cart'; these transport wagons are what Jacob will later see (v.27) and believe.
לְטַפְּכֶם֙for your childrenprep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 2mp · טַף (H2945)Benefactive prepositional phraseטַף (H2945) 'little ones, children, dependents'; the most vulnerable who need transport.
וְלִנְשֵׁיכֶ֔םand for your wivesconj וְ + prep לְ + N f pl constr + suf 2mp · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinated benefactive phraseאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; suf 2mp 'your wives'; the women equally provided for in the migration.
וּנְשָׂאתֶ֥םand carryconj וּ + Qal weqatal 2mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Weqatal of sequential command→ Weqatal: consequential future commandנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to carry, lift, bear'; weqatal continues: load wagons, then carry your father.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֲבִיכֶ֖םyour fatherN m sg constr + suf 2mp · אָב (H1)Direct object of וּנְשָׂאתֶםאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 2mp — the aged Jacob must be physically transported; he is the cargo.
וּבָאתֶֽםand comeconj וּ + Qal weqatal 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Weqatal of sequential command→ Weqatal: consequential future — you will comeבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; weqatal closes the command sequence: carry the father, then come.
20

וְעֵ֣ינְכֶ֔ם אַל תָּחֹ֖ס עַל כְּלֵיכֶ֑ם כִּי ט֛וּב כָּל אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לָכֶ֥ם הֽוּא

'And let not your eye spare your goods, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.'

The family is told not to cling anxiously to household goodsוְעֵינְכֶם
The generosity of Egypt is set against any temptation to hesitate over possessions left behind.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְעֵ֣ינְכֶ֔םand your eyeconj וְ + N f sg constr + suf 2mp · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of תָּחֹסעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiomatically 'let not your eye spare' = do not be reluctant to leave possessions.
אַלdo notneg particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) negative for jussives; prohibits clinging to household goods left behind.
תָּחֹ֖סspareQal jussive 3fs · חוּס (H2347)Jussive prohibition→ Yiqtol volitional: prohibition of reluctanceחוּס (H2347) 'to spare, pity, regret'; the eye-sparing idiom = do not regret leaving goods behind.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prep phrase of object (idiomatic)עַל (H5921) 'upon, concerning'; with חוּס = 'spare/pity regarding'.
כְּלֵיכֶ֑םyour goodsN m pl constr + suf 2mp · כְּלִי (H3627)Object of עַל phraseכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, article, goods'; pl suf 2mp = household possessions to be left behind in Canaan.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the ground: Egypt's good belongs to them.
ט֛וּבthe good ofN m sg constr · טוֹב (H2898)Subject nominative (verbless clause)טוֹב (H2898) 'good, best'; in construct: 'the good of all Egypt' more than replaces what is left behind.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם = the whole of Egypt's resources.
אֶ֥רֶץland ofN f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive in construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the totality of Egypt's good is theirs — no loss from leaving goods.
לָכֶ֥םis yoursprep לְ + suf 2mp · לְPredicate of possessionPrep לְ with 2mp suffix; 'is yours' as predicate; all Egypt's good assigned to them.
הֽוּאitpers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copulative pronoun (predicate)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; functions as copula in verbless clause: 'is yours — it is'.
21

וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ כֵן֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּתֵּ֨ן לָהֶ֥ם יוֹסֵ֛ף עֲגָל֖וֹת עַל פִּ֣י פַרְעֹ֑ה וַיִּתֵּ֥ן לָהֶ֛ם צֵדָ֖ה לַדָּֽרֶךְ

And the sons of Israel did so, and Joseph gave them wagons according to Pharaoh's command, and he gave them provisions for the way.

The sons of Israel carry out the royal and Josephite commandוַיַּעֲשׂוּ
The brothers now obey as envoys of reconciliation rather than as men under hidden accusation.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּand they didconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, act'; the sons of Israel comply with the royal and Josephite command.
כֵן֙soadv · כֵּן (H3651)Manner adverbכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, accordingly'; they acted accordingly — complete compliance.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיַּעֲשׂוּ (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl constr; the twelve brothers now designated as 'sons of Israel'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelprop noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of בְּנֵי (construct)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant name now used as the brothers depart as obedient family.
וַיִּתֵּ֨ןand gaveconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Joseph provides the wagons as per Pharaoh's authorization.
לָהֶ֥םto themprep לְ + suf 3mp · לְDative of benefitPrep לְ with 3mp suffix; the wagons are given to the brothers.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיִּתֵּןיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph personally equips the brothers as ordered by Pharaoh.
עֲגָל֖וֹתwagonsN f pl abs · עֲגָלָה (H5699)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּןעֲגָלָה (H5699) 'wagon, cart'; the transport wagons as commanded by Pharaoh.
עַלaccording toprep · עַל (H5921)Conformity prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, according to'; עַל פִּי = 'according to the mouth of' = by command of.
פִּ֣יmouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Idiomatic construct phraseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל פִּי = 'by the command of'; the wagons comply with royal authorization.
פַרְעֹ֑הPharaohprop noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of פִּי (construct)פַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; royal authority behind the provision of wagons.
וַיִּתֵּ֥ןand gaveconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; second giving: provisions for the journey, beyond just the wagons.
לָהֶ֛םto themprep לְ + suf 3mp · לְDative of benefitPrep לְ with 3mp suffix; provisions given to the brothers for the road.
צֵדָ֖הprovisionsN f sg abs · צֵדָה (H6720)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּן (second)צֵדָה (H6720) 'provisions, food for a journey'; from צוּד 'to hunt/provide'; journey food.
לַדָּֽרֶךְfor the wayprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Purpose prepositional phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; the provisions are specifically for the journey back to Canaan.
22

לְכֻלָּ֥ם נָתַ֛ן לָאִ֖ישׁ חֲלִפ֣וֹת שְׂמָלֹ֑ת וּלְבִנְיָמִ֤ן נָתַן֙ שְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֣וֹת כֶּ֔סֶף וְחָמֵ֖שׁ חֲלִפֹ֥ת שְׂמָלֹֽת

To all of them he gave, each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments.

Joseph gives gifts to all, with marked favor still shown to Benjaminלְכֻלָּם
Distinction remains, but now within reconciled openness rather than concealed testing.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לְכֻלָּ֥םto all of themprep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 3mp · כֹּל (H3605)Dative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with לְ and 3mp suffix = 'to all of them'; the gift extends to every brother.
נָתַ֛ןhe gaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed act of givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; records the gift-giving with the distribution pattern: all receive, Benjamin receives more.
לָאִ֖ישׁto each manprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive prepositional phraseאִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; with article = 'each man'; each brother individually receives a gift.
חֲלִפ֣וֹתchanges ofN f pl constr · חֲלִיפָה (H2487)Direct object of נָתַן (construct)חֲלִיפָה (H2487) 'change, replacement'; pl constr = 'changes of garments'; festival or honor garments.
שְׂמָלֹ֑תgarmentsN f pl abs · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Genitive of חֲלִיפוֹתשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, mantle, outer robe'; changes of garments = festal robes honoring each brother.
וּלְבִנְיָמִ֤ןand to Benjaminconj וּ + prep לְ + prop noun · בִּנְיָמִין (H1144)Contrasting dative (marked favor)בִּנְיָמִין (H1144) 'Benjamin'; singled out for greater gifts — distinction continues in open reconciliation.
נָתַן֙he gaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (second clause)→ Perfective: completed act of marked generosityנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; repeated for Benjamin's contrasting portion — the fivefold honor distinguishes him.
שְׁלֹ֣שׁthreeN f sg abs · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Numeralשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; with מֵאוֹת = 'three hundred' pieces of silver for Benjamin.
מֵא֣וֹתhundredsN f pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Quantified nounמֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; pl = hundreds; three hundred pieces of silver is a substantial gift.
כֶּ֔סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive/material nounכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; three hundred pieces of silver underscores Joseph's marked favor toward Benjamin.
וְחָמֵ֖שׁand fiveconj וְ + N f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Coordinated numeralחָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; with חֲלִפֹת שְׂמָלֹת = five changes of garments, fivefold the brothers' gifts.
חֲלִפֹ֥תchanges ofN f pl constr · חֲלִיפָה (H2487)Direct object (construct)חֲלִיפָה (H2487) 'change, replacement'; same word as for the other brothers but multiplied fivefold.
שְׂמָלֹֽתgarmentsN f pl abs · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Genitive of חֲלִפֹתשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, mantle'; five sets versus one for the others; Benjamin's privileged status marked openly.
23

וּלְאָבִ֞יו שָׁלַ֤ח כְּזֹאת֙ עֲשָׂרָ֣ה חֲמֹרִ֔ים נֹשְׂאִ֖ים מִטּ֣וּב מִצְרָ֑יִם וְעֶ֣שֶׂר אֲתֹנֹ֡ת נֹֽ֠שְׂאֹת בָּ֣ר וָלֶ֧חֶם וּמָז֛וֹן לְאָבִ֖יו לַדָּֽרֶךְ

And to his father he sent this: ten donkeys carrying from the good things of Egypt, and ten she-donkeys carrying grain and bread and provisions for his father for the journey.

Joseph sends substantial provision to Jacob for the journeyוּלְאָבִיו
The father is honored directly through goods that bridge report and relocation.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וּלְאָבִ֞יוand to his fatherconj וּ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 3ms · אָב (H1)Dative prepositional phraseאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 3ms — Joseph sends direct provision to Jacob, honoring the father over distance.
שָׁלַ֤חhe sentQal perf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed act of sendingשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Joseph sends a gift convoy directly to Jacob before he has even left Egypt.
כְּזֹאת֙as followsprep כְּ + dem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Manner prepositional phraseזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; כְּזֹאת 'thus/as follows' — introduces the itemized list of what was sent.
עֲשָׂרָ֣הtenN m sg abs · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Numeralעֲשָׂרָה (H6235) 'ten'; ten male donkeys carrying goods from Egypt — a substantial caravan.
חֲמֹרִ֔יםdonkeysN m pl abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Quantified nounחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey, ass'; male donkeys used as pack animals; ten carry Egypt's good things.
נֹשְׂאִ֖יםcarryingQal ptc m pl abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Attributive participle→ Ptc: loaded and carrying the goodsנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to carry, lift, bear'; Qal ptc m pl; the donkeys as loaded carriers.
מִטּ֣וּבfrom the good ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · טוֹב (H2898)Partitive prepositional phraseטוֹב (H2898) 'good, best'; partitive מִן = 'from the best of Egypt' — select produce sent to Jacob.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of מִטּוּבמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; Egypt's finest goes to Jacob as a foretaste of what awaits him there.
וְעֶ֣שֶׂרand tenconj וְ + N f sg abs · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Coordinated numeralעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; ten female donkeys balance the ten male; two groups carrying different provisions.
אֲתֹנֹ֡תshe-donkeysN f pl abs · אָתוֹן (H860)Quantified nounאָתוֹן (H860) 'female donkey'; ten she-donkeys carry grain, bread, and provisions for the journey.
נֹֽ֠שְׂאֹתcarryingQal ptc f pl abs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Attributive participle (f)→ Ptc: the she-donkeys loaded with foodנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to carry'; Qal ptc f pl agreeing with אֲתֹנֹת; they carry the food supplies.
בָּ֣רgrainN m sg abs · בַּר (H1250)Direct object of נֹשְׂאֹתבַּר (H1250) 'grain, corn'; staple food; the she-donkeys carry grain as the first provision.
וָלֶ֧חֶםand breadconj וְ + N m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Coordinated direct objectלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food, provisions'; paired with grain; together they cover both raw and prepared food.
וּמָז֛וֹןand foodconj וּ + N m sg abs · מָזוֹן (H4202)Coordinated direct objectמָזוֹן (H4202) 'food, sustenance, provisions'; a third food term; the triad emphasizes ample provision for the journey.
לְאָבִ֖יוfor his fatherprep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 3ms · אָב (H1)Benefactive prepositional phraseאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 3ms — all the provisions are specifically for Jacob's journey and sustenance.
לַדָּֽרֶךְfor the wayprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Purpose prepositional phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; the provisions are designated for the journey from Canaan to Egypt.
24

וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח אֶת אֶחָ֖יו וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אַֽל תִּרְגְּז֖וּ בַּדָּֽרֶךְ

Then he sent his brothers away, and they departed, and he said to them, 'Do not quarrel on the way.'

Joseph dismisses the brothers with a final warning for the roadוַיְשַׁלַּח
The compact admonition guards the fragile reconciliation as they travel back together.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיְשַׁלַּ֥חand he sent awayconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Piel 'send away, dismiss'; Joseph formally dismisses his brothers for the return journey.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Direct object of וַיְשַׁלַּחאָח (H251) 'brother'; suf 3ms — the reconciled brothers depart on their mission to Jacob.
וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּand they wentconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; the brothers depart from Egypt as reconciled envoys.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph's final words before the brothers depart — a compact warning.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + suf 3mp · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 3mp suffix; the final word is directed to the departing brothers.
אַֽלdo notneg particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) negative for jussives; introduces the compact prohibition for the road.
תִּרְגְּז֖וּquarrel/be agitatedQal jussive 2mp · רָגַז (H7264)Jussive prohibition→ Yiqtol volitional: prohibition against agitation on journeyרָגַז (H7264) 'to tremble, be agitated, quarrel'; prohibition may cover quarreling, anxiety, or disturbance on the road.
בַּדָּֽרֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; the warning applies to the journey itself — the fragile reconciliation must survive the road.
25

וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּ מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן אֶֽל יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֲבִיהֶֽם

And they went up from Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father.

The brothers return to Jacob in Canaanוַיַּעֲלוּ
The narrative’s energy now shifts from Egypt’s disclosure to the father’s reception of the news.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּand they went upconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; travel from Egypt to Canaan is geographically 'going up'.
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + prop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phrase (origin)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; point of departure; the brothers leave Egypt laden with gifts and news.
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙and they cameconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; arrival in Canaan completes the return journey from Egypt.
אֶ֣רֶץland ofN f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative noun (construct)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with כְּנַעַן; the destination is the patriarchal homeland.
כְּנַ֔עַןCanaanprop noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct)כְּנַעַן (H3667) 'Canaan'; the land where Jacob dwells; the news must now cross to the father.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the person they came to — Jacob their father.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobprop noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Object of אֶליַעֲקֹב (H3290) 'Jacob'; the patriarch at home, unaware; the narrative energy now shifts to his reception.
אֲבִיהֶֽםtheir fatherN m sg constr + suf 3mp · אָב (H1)Apposition to יַעֲקֹבאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 3mp 'their father' — appositive restoring the family relationship as they return.
26

וַיַּגִּ֨דוּ ל֜וֹ לֵאמֹ֗ר ע֚וֹד יוֹסֵ֣ף חַ֔י וְכִֽי ה֥וּא מֹשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וַיָּ֣פָג לִבּ֔וֹ כִּ֥י לֹא הֶאֱמִ֖ין לָהֶֽם

And they told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.' But his heart went numb, for he did not believe them.

Jacob hears that Joseph lives and at first cannot believe itוַיַּגִּדוּ
The father’s heart numbs before news too large for immediate trust.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיַּגִּ֨דוּand they toldconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָגַד (H5046)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046) 'to declare, announce'; Hiphil 'tell, report'; the brothers fulfill their commission as messengers.
ל֜וֹto himprep לְ + suf 3ms · לְDative prepositional phrasePrep לְ with 3ms suffix = to Jacob; the message is delivered to its intended recipient.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival clause of content→ Infinitive: introduces the reported speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר standard marker introducing direct reported speech.
ע֚וֹדstilladv · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal adverbעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet'; the two-word declaration 'Joseph still lives' is the core of the message.
יוֹסֵ֣ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of verbless clauseיוֹסֵף (H3130); the name Jacob has mourned for years now appears as the subject of a life-claim.
חַ֔יaliveadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Predicate adjectiveחַי (H2416) 'alive, living'; the same question Joseph asked (v.3) is now answered: Joseph is alive.
וְכִֽיand thatconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Coordinating conj + object conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that'; with וְ introduces the second fact: Joseph is ruling all Egypt.
ה֥וּאhepers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of verbless clauseהוּא (H1931) independent pronoun 3ms; emphatic subject marking Joseph as the one who rules.
מֹשֵׁ֖לrulingQal ptc m sg abs · מָשַׁל (H4910)Predicate participle→ Ptc: ongoing rule — he is presently rulingמָשַׁל (H4910) 'to rule, govern'; Qal ptc = 'one ruling'; the present tense of Joseph's authority.
בְּכָלover allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Extent prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the scope of Joseph's rule is the entirety of Egypt.
אֶ֣רֶץland ofN f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptprop noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive in construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the astonishing claim: Jacob's supposedly-dead son rules Egypt.
וַיָּ֣פָגand went numbconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · פּוּג (H6313)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפּוּג (H6313) 'to be numb, grow faint, fail'; the heart fails — a psychosomatic shock response to incredible news.
לִבּ֔וֹhis heartN m sg constr + suf 3ms · לֵב (H3820)Subject of וַיָּפָגלֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind, inner self'; suf 3ms 'his heart'; the heart as the seat of belief and emotion.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason for Jacob's heart-failure: he did not believe.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) strong negation; Jacob's disbelief is total — he cannot credit the report.
הֶאֱמִ֖יןbelievedHiphil perf 3ms · אָמַן (H539)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed state of disbeliefאָמַן (H539) 'to be firm, faithful'; Hiphil 'believe, trust'; Jacob's grief has so fixed Joseph's death that he cannot believe.
לָהֶֽםthemprep לְ + suf 3mp · לְDative of person believed (object)Prep לְ with 3mp suffix; לֹא הֶאֱמִין לָהֶם = 'did not believe them' — the report is too extraordinary.
27

וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו אֵ֣ת כָּל דִּבְרֵ֤י יוֹסֵף֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת הָ֣עֲגָל֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַ֥ח יוֹסֵ֖ף לָשֵׂ֣את אֹת֑וֹ וַתְּחִ֕י ר֖וּחַ יַעֲקֹ֥ב אֲבִיהֶֽם

And they spoke to him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, and the spirit of Jacob their father revived.

Joseph’s words and the wagons revive Jacob’s spiritוַיְדַבְּרוּ
Speech alone does not persuade him, but Joseph’s full message joined to tangible provision restores life to the father’s spirit.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיְדַבְּר֣וּand they spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · דָּבַר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel; they now speak the full words of Joseph — the detailed message.
אֵלָ֗יוto himprep אֶל + suf 3ms · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 3ms suffix = to Jacob; they speak everything Joseph had said.
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifierכֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; the full content of Joseph's words is relayed without omission.
דִּבְרֵ֤יwords ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וַיְדַבְּרוּ (construct)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; pl constr = 'words of'; the full content of Joseph's message.
יוֹסֵף֙Josephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive of דִּבְרֵי (construct)יוֹסֵף (H3130); the words that Joseph had spoken now reach their intended audience.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the clause specifying which words — those Joseph had spoken to them.
דִּבֶּ֣רhad spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Relative clause predicate→ Perfective: the completed speech of Josephדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel; the words Joseph spoke to the brothers in Egypt.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + suf 3mp · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with 3mp suffix = to the brothers; Joseph's direct speech is now relayed to Jacob.
וַיַּרְא֙and he sawconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Jacob's spirit revives when he sees the tangible evidence — the wagons.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָ֣עֲגָל֔וֹתthe wagonsart + N f pl abs · עֲגָלָה (H5699)Direct object of וַיַּרְאעֲגָלָה (H5699) 'wagon, cart'; the physical wagons sent by Joseph are what finally persuade Jacob.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronounאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the clause specifying which wagons — those Joseph sent.
שָׁלַ֥חhad sentQal perf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Relative clause predicate→ Perfective: completed act of sending wagonsשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Joseph's sending of the wagons becomes the tangible evidence that persuades Jacob.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of שָׁלַחיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph as the sender; the wagons bear his authority and verify his survival.
לָשֵׂ֣אתto carryprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: purpose of sending the wagonsנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to carry, bear'; inf of purpose: the wagons were sent specifically to transport Jacob.
אֹת֑וֹ[obj] himobj marker + suf 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (him)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix; Jacob himself is the object to be carried by the wagons.
וַתְּחִ֕יand revivedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · חָיָה (H2421)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live, revive'; 3fs agrees with רוּחַ; the spirit revives — the numbed heart is roused.
ר֖וּחַthe spirit ofN m sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of וַתְּחִי (construct)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, breath, wind'; Jacob's spirit/life-force revives at the sight of the wagons.
יַעֲקֹ֥בJacobprop noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive of רוּחַ (construct)יַעֲקֹב (H3290) 'Jacob'; the patriarch recovers; the covenant name marks the moment of revived hope.
אֲבִיהֶֽםtheir fatherN m sg constr + suf 3mp · אָב (H1)Apposition to יַעֲקֹבאָב (H1) 'father'; suf 3mp 'their father' — closing appositive reaffirming the familial perspective of the revival.
28

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רַ֛ב עוֹד יוֹסֵ֥ף בְּנִ֖י חָ֑י אֵֽלְכָ֥ה וְאֶרְאֶ֖נּוּ בְּטֶ֥רֶם אָמֽוּת

And Israel said, 'Enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'

Israel resolves to go see Joseph before deathוַיֹּאמֶר
The narrative closes in revived determination: grief no longer governs the father’s future as absolutely as before.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob's revived spirit finds voice; the chapter closes with his declaration of resolve.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelprop noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant name used at this moment of faith-response — the patriarch at his best.
רַ֛בenoughadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjective (verbless clause)רַב (H7227) 'great, much, enough'; 'It is enough (much)!' — exclamation of overflowing sufficiency at the news.
עוֹדstilladv · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal adverbעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet'; the same word used to announce Joseph's survival (v.26); echoed in Jacob's response.
יוֹסֵ֥ףJosephprop noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of verbless clauseיוֹסֵף (H3130); the long-lost son whose name had been synonymous with grief is now the source of joy.
בְּנִ֖יmy sonN m sg constr + suf 1cs · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive/predicate to יוֹסֵףבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; suf 1cs 'my son' — Jacob claims Joseph as his son, the intimate parental claim.
חָ֑יaliveadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Predicate adjectiveחַי (H2416) 'alive, living'; the simple fact declared — 'my son Joseph is still alive'; grief dissolves.
אֵֽלְכָ֥הlet me goQal cohortative 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Cohortative of resolve→ Volitional: self-exhortation of resolve to goהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; cohortative 1cs; the revived patriarch's volitional resolve to set out for Egypt.
וְאֶרְאֶ֖נּוּand let me see himconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs + suf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Coordinated cohortative of purpose→ Volitional: purpose of the journey — to see Josephרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; cohortative 1cs + 3ms suf; to see Joseph before death is the single driving desire.
בְּטֶ֥רֶםbeforeprep בְּ + adv · טֶרֶם (H2962)Temporal prepositional phraseטֶרֶם (H2962) 'before, not yet'; with impf introduces a pre-event clause; the urgency of mortality.
אָמֽוּתI dieQal impf 1cs · מוּת (H4191)Temporal clause predicate→ Yiqtol: prospective — before I dieמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; impf 1cs; Jacob's consciousness of mortality gives urgency to his resolve to see Joseph.