Genesis 50:17

Authorized King James Version

So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כֹּֽה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

תֹאמְר֣וּ

H559

So shall ye say

to say (used with great latitude)

יוֹסֵ֖ף

H3130

And Joseph

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אָ֣נָּ֡א

H577

I pray thee

oh now!

שָׂ֣א

H5375

Forgive

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

נָ֠א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לְפֶ֥שַׁע

H6588

now the trespass

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

אַחֶ֤יךָ

H251

of thy brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְחַטָּאתָם֙

H2403

and their sin

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

#10

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#11

רָעָ֣ה

H7451

unto thee evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#12

גְמָל֔וּךָ

H1580

for they did

to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean

#13

וְעַתָּה֙

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#14

שָׂ֣א

H5375

Forgive

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#15

נָ֔א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

#16

לְפֶ֥שַׁע

H6588

now the trespass

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

#17

עַבְדֵ֖י

H5650

of the servants

a servant

#18

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

H430

of the God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#19

אָבִ֑יךָ

of thy father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#20

וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ

H1058

wept

to weep; generally to bemoan

#21

יוֹסֵ֖ף

H3130

And Joseph

joseph, the name of seven israelites

#22

בְּדַבְּרָ֥ם

H1696

when they spake

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#23

אֵלָֽיו׃

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The historical context of the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1500 BCE) and primeval history provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The ancient Near Eastern world with its creation myths, flood narratives, and patriarchal social structures provided the cultural backdrop against which God's revelation stands in stark contrast. The ancient Near Eastern cosmology and patriarchal society would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Ancient Near Eastern creation texts like Enuma Elish provide comparative context for understanding Genesis's unique theological perspective.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of creation and providence, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 50 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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