Joseph Reveals Himself
Joseph can no longer contain himself and reveals his identity to his brothers, offering forgiveness and reconciliation.
Genesis 45:1-28
Take the Genesis 45 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore Genesis Chapters
Study all chapters of Genesis
The Story
Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants. 'Have everyone leave my presence!' he cried. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.
'I am Joseph!' he said to his brothers. 'Is my father still living?' But his brothers could not answer him, because they were terrified.
'Come close to me,' Joseph said. When they did, he continued, 'I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.'
Joseph explained: 'For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing or reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.'
He embraced his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. Then he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
Pharaoh was pleased and said to Joseph, 'Tell your brothers to load their animals and go back to Canaan. Bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt.'
So Joseph sent his brothers back with carts, provisions, and new clothes—five sets for Benjamin, along with three hundred shekels of silver. As they left, he told them, 'Don't quarrel on the way!'
When they told Jacob, 'Joseph is still alive! He is ruler of all Egypt!' his heart remained cold, because he did not believe them. But when he saw the carts Joseph had sent, his spirit revived. 'I'm convinced!' Israel said. 'My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'
What men meant for evil, God meant for good.
Joseph's Big Surprise
Kids Version
Years had passed. Joseph had become the second most powerful person in Egypt! He stored food during the good years. When the bad years came and everyone was hungry, people came to Egypt to buy food—including Joseph's brothers!
They didn't recognize Joseph. He looked like an Egyptian leader now. But Joseph knew exactly who they were.
After testing them to see if they had changed, Joseph couldn't hold back anymore. He sent all the Egyptian servants away.
Then Joseph started crying—really, really loud!
'I am Joseph!' he said to his brothers. 'Is my father still alive?'
His brothers were TERRIFIED! The brother they had sold was now the most powerful man they'd ever met! Would he punish them?
But Joseph said something amazing. 'Don't be scared or angry at yourselves. Yes, you sold me—but GOD sent me here! He had a plan all along. God sent me to Egypt to save our family from starving!'
Joseph hugged his little brother Benjamin and cried happy tears. Then he hugged all his brothers and cried some more. They finally talked together like family.
'Go get Dad!' Joseph said. 'Bring the whole family to Egypt. I'll take care of everyone!'
When the brothers told Jacob, 'Joseph is ALIVE!' he couldn't believe it. But when he saw the wagons Joseph sent, he believed.
'My son is alive!' Jacob cried. 'I have to go see him!'
What the brothers meant for evil, God used for good. God can do that with our hard times too.
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from Genesis.
Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Genesis 45:1-28 (KJV)
1Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
2And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard . wept: Heb. gave forth his voice in weeping
3And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. troubled: or, terrified
4And 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.
5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. nor: Heb. neither let there be anger in your eyes
6For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
7And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. to preserve: Heb. to put for you a remnant
8So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
9Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:
10And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
11And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
12And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
13And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
14And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
15Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
16And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well , and his servants. pleased: Heb. was good in the eyes of Pharaoh
17And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
18And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
19Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
20Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours. regard: Heb. let not your eye spare, etc.
21And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. commandment: Heb. mouth
22To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
23And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. laden: Heb. carrying
24So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
25And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
26And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. Jacob's: Heb. his
27And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
28And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.
Memory Verse
“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.”
— Genesis 45:1 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “Joseph Reveals Himself”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from The Patriarchs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Joseph Reveals Himself” in the Bible?
Joseph can no longer contain himself and reveals his identity to his brothers, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. This story is found in Genesis 45:1-28.
Where is “Joseph Reveals Himself” found in the Bible?
“Joseph Reveals Himself” is found in Genesis 45:1-28, in the book of Genesis.
What can children learn from “Joseph Reveals Himself”?
This story teaches children about Forgiveness, Reconciliation, God's sovereign plan. Joseph couldn't keep his secret anymore. 'I am Joseph!' he cried. His brothers were scared, but Joseph forgave them. 'God sent me here to save our family!' Joseph said. He hugged them and they all cried happy tears.