King James Version

What Does Genesis 45:7 Mean?

Genesis 45:7 in the King James Version says “And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. to p...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And 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”

Genesis 45:7 · KJV

Salvation

Context

5

Now 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

6

For 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.

7

And 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

8

So 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.

9

Haste 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:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a gre... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How should this truth about Family Reunion shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֤נִי1 of 11

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֱלֹהִים֙2 of 11

“And God”

H430

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

לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם3 of 11

“me before you”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לָשׂ֥וּם4 of 11

“to preserve”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לָכֶ֛ם5 of 11
H0
שְׁאֵרִ֖ית6 of 11

“you a posterity”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

בָּאָ֑רֶץ7 of 11

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּלְהַֽחֲי֣וֹת8 of 11

“and to save your lives”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

לָכֶ֔ם9 of 11
H0
לִפְלֵיטָ֖ה10 of 11

“deliverance”

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

גְּדֹלָֽה׃11 of 11

“by a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 45:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 45:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 44:4Acts 7:35Judges 15:18Psalms 18:501 Chronicles 11:14

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 45 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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