King James Version

What Does Genesis 50:21 Mean?

Genesis 50:21 in the King James Version says “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. kindly: Heb. to their hearts”

Genesis 50:21 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

19

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

21

Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. kindly: Heb. to their hearts

22

And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.

23

And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. brought: Heb. born

Read Genesis 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spak... 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 does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְעַתָּה֙1 of 13
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אַל2 of 13
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֔אוּ3 of 13

“Now therefore fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אָֽנֹכִ֛י4 of 13
H595

i

אֲכַלְכֵּ֥ל5 of 13

“ye not I will nourish”

H3557

properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)

אֶתְכֶ֖ם6 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְאֶֽת7 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

טַפְּכֶ֑ם8 of 13

“you and your little ones”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

וַיְנַחֵ֣ם9 of 13

“And he comforted”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

אוֹתָ֔ם10 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַיְדַבֵּ֖ר11 of 13

“them and spake”

H1696

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

עַל12 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִבָּֽם׃13 of 13

“kindly”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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 50:21 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 50:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 47:121 Peter 3:9Genesis 45:10-11Isaiah 40:2Romans 12:20-211 Thessalonians 5:15

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