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Genesis 45:2

Genesis 45:2 in Multiple Translations

But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

And so loud was his weeping, that it came to the ears of the Egyptians and all Pharaoh's house.

But he cried so loudly that the Egyptians could hear him, and they told Pharaoh's household about it.

And hee wept and cried, so that the Egyptians heard: the house of Pharaoh heard also.

and he giveth forth his voice in weeping, and the Egyptians hear, and the house of Pharaoh heareth.

He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

And he wept aloud; and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians and all the house of Pharao heard.

He cried so loudly that the people of Egypt who were outside heard it, and even the people in the king’s palace heard it.

Then Joseph started to cry really loud. He cried so loud that some of the Egypt people heard him, and those Egypt people went and told the people in Pharaoh’s house.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 45:2

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 45:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יִּתֵּ֥ן אֶת קֹל֖/וֹ בִּ/בְכִ֑י וַ/יִּשְׁמְע֣וּ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַ/יִּשְׁמַ֖ע בֵּ֥ית פַּרְעֹֽה
וַ/יִּתֵּ֥ן nâthan H5414 to give Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
קֹל֖/וֹ qôwl H6963 voice N-ms | Suff
בִּ/בְכִ֑י Bᵉkîy H1065 weeping Prep | N-ms
וַ/יִּשְׁמְע֣וּ shâmaʻ H8085 to hear Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מִצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrîy H4713 Egyptian N-proper
וַ/יִּשְׁמַ֖ע shâmaʻ H8085 to hear Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בֵּ֥ית bayith H1004 place N-ms
פַּרְעֹֽה Parʻôh H6547 Pharaoh N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 45:2

וַ/יִּתֵּ֥ן nâthan H5414 "to give" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
קֹל֖/וֹ qôwl H6963 "voice" N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
בִּ/בְכִ֑י Bᵉkîy H1065 "weeping" Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means weeping or crying, and is used to describe a strong emotional response, such as overflowing tears or continual sorrow. It is often used in the Bible to describe a time of mourning.
Definition: a weeping, weeping
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: overflowing, [idiom] sore, (continual) weeping, wept. See also: Genesis 45:2; Isaiah 15:5; Psalms 6:9.
וַ/יִּשְׁמְע֣וּ shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
מִצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrîy H4713 "Egyptian" N-proper
In the Bible, this word refers to an Egyptian, someone from the country of Egypt. It appears in the Old Testament, describing people from this northeastern African nation. Egyptians are mentioned in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: Group of mits.ra.yim (מִצְרַ֫יִם "Egypt" H4714G) § Egyptian, of Egypt "double straits" Egyptian-an inhabitant or citizen of Egypt an Egyptian
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: Egyptian, of Egypt. See also: Genesis 12:12; Exodus 8:17; Ezra 9:1.
וַ/יִּשְׁמַ֖ע shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
בֵּ֥ית bayith H1004 "place" N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
פַּרְעֹֽה Parʻôh H6547 "Pharaoh" N-proper
In the Bible, Pharaoh refers to the king of Egypt, a powerful leader with great authority. The word is used in many passages, including Genesis 12:15 and Exodus 1:9, to describe the ruler of Egypt. It is a title of respect and power.
Definition: A man of the Egyptians living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.23.29; also called Pharaoh at 2Ki.23.35 etc.; Another name of ne.kho (נְכוֹ "Neco" H5224G) § Pharaoh = "great house" the common title of the king of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: Pharaoh. See also: Genesis 12:15; Exodus 6:29; 2 Kings 23:35.

Study Notes — Genesis 45:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Genesis 46:29 Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
2 Acts 20:37 They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
3 Numbers 14:1 Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept.
4 Ruth 1:9 May the LORD enable each of you to find rest in the home of your new husband.” And she kissed them as they wept aloud
5 2 Kings 20:3 “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Genesis 45:2 Summary

Genesis 45:2 shows us that Joseph, a powerful leader, was not afraid to express his emotions and weep loudly when he was reunited with his brothers. This verse reminds us that it's okay to show our feelings and be vulnerable, just like Jesus did when he wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41. Joseph's emotional response also highlights the significance of this moment for him, as he had been waiting a long time to reveal his true identity to his brothers (as seen in Genesis 42:24 and Genesis 43:30). By being open with his emotions, Joseph was able to connect with his brothers on a deeper level and start the process of healing and reconciliation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Joseph weep so loudly in Genesis 45:2?

Joseph wept loudly because he was overwhelmed with emotion as he revealed his true identity to his brothers, a moment he had been waiting for a long time, as seen in Genesis 42:24 and Genesis 43:30.

Who heard Joseph weeping in Genesis 45:2?

The Egyptians and Pharaoh's household heard Joseph weeping, indicating that his emotional response was intense and audible to those outside his immediate family circle.

What does Joseph's weeping reveal about his character in Genesis 45:2?

Joseph's weeping shows that he was a sensitive and emotional person, not just a powerful leader, and this vulnerability is also seen in other biblical leaders like Jesus, who wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41.

How does Genesis 45:2 relate to other biblical themes of emotional expression?

The Bible presents a range of emotions, including weeping, as a normal and acceptable part of the human experience, as seen in Psalm 42:3 and John 11:35, where Jesus weeps with those who are grieving.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some moments in my life when I have felt overwhelmed with emotion, and how did I respond to those feelings?
  2. How can I, like Joseph, balance my emotional vulnerability with my responsibilities and roles in life?
  3. What does Joseph's weeping reveal about the importance of emotional expression in my relationship with God and others?
  4. In what ways can I create space for healthy emotional expression in my daily life, and how might this impact my relationships and spiritual growth?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 45:2

And he wept aloud,....; Or "gave forth his voice in weeping" (r); as he wept he cried aloud; for having put such a violent restraint on himself, as the flood of tears was the greater, so his voice

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 45:2

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 45:2

His tears and voice which had been hitherto kept in by main force, now breaking forth with greater violence. The Egyptians, and the house of Pharaoh; some who were near, with their own ears, and others by report.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 45:2

Genesis 45:2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.Ver. 2. He wept aloud.] And so gave vent to his passion, which else would have burst him. As hinds by calving, so men by weeping, "cast out their sorrows."

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 45:2

(2) And the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.—Not the sound of Joseph’s weeping, but the news that his brethren had come, as in Genesis 45:16.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 45:2

Verse 2. The Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.] It seems strange that Joseph should have wept so loud that his cries should be heard at some considerable distance, as we may suppose his dwelling was not very nigh to the palace! "But this," says Sir John Chardin, "is exactly the genius of the people of Asia - their sentiments of joy or grief are properly transports, and their transports are ungoverned, excessive, and truly outrageous. When any one returns from a long journey, or dies, his family burst into cries that may be heard twenty doors off; and this is renewed at different times, and continues many days, according to the vigour of the passion. Sometimes they cease all at once, and then begin as suddenly with a greater shrillness and loudness than one could easily imagine." This circumstance Sir John brings to illustrate the verse in question. See Harmer, vol. iii. p. 17. But the house of Pharaoh may certainly signify Pharaoh's servants, or any of the members of his household, such as those whom Joseph had desired to withdraw, and who might still be within hearing of his voice. After all, the words may only mean that the report was brought to Pharaoh's house. See Genesis 45:16.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 45:2

2. wept aloud] Heb. gave forth his voice in weeping. heard] We must make allowance for an Oriental hyperbole of speech, by which it is intended to convey the rapidity with which the sound of Joseph’s broken exclamations, and the news of the recognition of his brethren, were heard and reported.

Sermons on Genesis 45:2

SermonDescription
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 46:29-34 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of shepherds in the Bible and how they are often seen as an abomination to the world. He highlights the figure of speech use
Zac Poonen (Through the Bible) Genesis - Part 3 by Zac Poonen This sermon delves into the lives of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph as portrayed in Genesis, highlighting themes of arranged marriages by God, fatherly concerns for children's marriages,
David Wilkerson God Meant It for Good! by David Wilkerson David Wilkerson shares the profound story of Jacob and Joseph, emphasizing how Jacob, despite his many sorrows and struggles, ultimately witnessed God's faithfulness and provision.
George Verwer (The Book of Acts) Session 11 by George Verwer In this sermon, the speaker addresses the need for Christians to take action and make a difference in their country through prayer, witness, and distributing literature. The Holy S
Jim Cymbala Book of Acts Series - Part 35 | Your Potential by Jim Cymbala In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential within ourselves and within the body of Christ. He highlights the love and unity among the early
St. John Chrysostom Homily 45 on the Acts of the Apostles by St. John Chrysostom John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of showing compassion, hospitality, and generosity to others, emphasizing the significance of serving Christ through serving those in nee
Alan Martin Murmuring Against One Another by Alan Martin In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of controlling one's tongue and being slow to anger. He encourages listeners to be quick to hear and slow to speak, showing re

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