Genesis 50:18
Genesis 50:18 in Multiple Translations
His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.
Then his brothers went, and falling at his feet, said, Truly, we are your servants.
Then his brothers themselves came and fell down before Joseph and said, “We are your slaves!”
Also his brethren came vnto him, and fell downe before his face, and sayde, Beholde, we be thy seruants.
And his brethren also go and fall before him, and say, 'Lo, we [are] to thee for servants.'
His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face: and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.
And his brethren came to him: and worshipping prostrate on the ground they said: We are thy servants.
Then his older brothers themselves came and threw themselves on the ground in front of Joseph, and one of them said, “Please listen. We will just be your servants.”
Then his brothers came to him, and they quickly got down on their knees and put their faces near the ground, to show respect to Joseph. And they said to Joseph, “You are our boss, and we are your work-men.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 50:18
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 50:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּלְכוּ֙
גַּם
אֶחָ֔י/ו
וַֽ/יִּפְּל֖וּ
לְ/פָנָ֑י/ו
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
הִנֶּ֥/נּֽוּ
לְ/ךָ֖
לַ/עֲבָדִֽים
וַ/יֵּלְכוּ֙
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
אֶחָ֔י/ו
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-mp | Suff
וַֽ/יִּפְּל֖וּ
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לְ/פָנָ֑י/ו
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הִנֶּ֥/נּֽוּ
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part | Suff
לְ/ךָ֖
Prep | Suff
לַ/עֲבָדִֽים
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 50:18
וַ/יֵּלְכוּ֙
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
אֶחָ֔י/ו
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
וַֽ/יִּפְּל֖וּ
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
לְ/פָנָ֑י/ו
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הִנֶּ֥/נּֽוּ
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part | Suff
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
לְ/ךָ֖
""
Prep | Suff
לַ/עֲבָדִֽים
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
Study Notes — Genesis 50:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 50:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 50:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 50:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 50:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 50:18
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 50:18
- Sermons on Genesis 50:18
Context — Joseph Comforts His Brothers
16So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded,
17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”
19But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 37:7–11 | We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” “Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements. Then Joseph had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream that you have had? Will your mother and brothers and I actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said. |
| 2 | Genesis 42:6 | Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. |
| 3 | Genesis 45:3 | Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. |
| 4 | Genesis 44:14 | When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him. |
| 5 | Genesis 27:29 | May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.” |
Genesis 50:18 Summary
In Genesis 50:18, the brothers of Joseph come to him and bow down, calling themselves his slaves, showing their humility and recognition of his authority. This is a powerful example of how we should surrender our pride and submit to those in authority over us, just like Jesus taught us to be humble in Matthew 20:26-28. By doing so, we can experience God's mercy and forgiveness, just like the brothers of Joseph did. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can show humility and recognition of God's power and authority in our daily lives, and seek to surrender our pride and submit to Him, just like the brothers of Joseph did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the brothers of Joseph bow down before him and call themselves his slaves?
The brothers of Joseph bowed down before him and called themselves his slaves because they recognized his authority and power, and they were seeking his forgiveness and mercy, as seen in Genesis 50:18 and also in Genesis 37:7-10 where they previously bowed down to him in a dream.
What can we learn from the brothers' humility in this verse?
We can learn the importance of humility and recognizing the authority and power that God has given to others, just like the brothers of Joseph did, and also how Jesus taught us to be humble in Matthew 20:26-28 and Matthew 23:12.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Joseph?
This verse is a culmination of the story of Joseph, where his brothers, who had previously wronged him, now come to him in humility and submission, showing how God had worked out their evil intentions for good, as Joseph says in Genesis 50:20.
What does it mean to be a 'slave' in the context of this verse?
In the context of Genesis 50:18, being a 'slave' means to be completely surrendered and submitted to someone's authority, in this case, Joseph, recognizing his power and position, similar to how we are called to be slaves of Jesus Christ, as seen in Romans 6:22 and 1 Corinthians 7:22.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to humble myself and recognize the authority and power that God has given to others?
- How can I, like the brothers of Joseph, surrender my pride and submit to those in authority over me, whether it be in my family, church, or community?
- In what ways can I show humility and recognition of God's power and authority in my daily life, just like the brothers of Joseph did in this verse?
- What are some times when I have tried to justify or excuse my own sin, rather than humbly acknowledging it and seeking forgiveness, like the brothers of Joseph did?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 50:18
And his brethren also went,.... The messengers being returned to them, and acquainting them with what Joseph had said, they took courage and went from Goshen to Joseph's house or palace, be it where
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 50:18
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 50:18
Ready and willing to undergo that servitude into which we so wickedly sold thee.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 50:18
Genesis 50:18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we [be] thy servants.Ver. 18. Behold, we be thy servants.] Oh that God might hear such words fall from us, prostrate at his feet! How soon would he take us up and embrace us! Deus redire nos sibi, non perire, desiderat, saith Chrysologus; φοβειθαιβουλεταιουφονευσαι, saith Basil; suffundere sanguinem quam effundere, saith Tertullian. I agnized my sin, and the amends was soon made, saith David.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 50:18
18. his brethren also went] These words agree with the sending of a message (Genesis 50:16), but hardly with the words of Gen 50:17, “when they spake unto him.” fell down] A final reminiscence of Joseph’s dreams, Genesis 37:7; Genesis 37:10.
Sermons on Genesis 50:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 42 Introduction by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Joseph and his brothers during the time of famine in Egypt. Jacob, their father, sends 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy corn, but h |
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Rough, but Friendly by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript discusses the concept of experiencing deep trouble and affliction as a means for God to bring about blessings in our lives. It uses various analogies, such as |
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Gideon #4: The Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit for Bible study. He states that the purpose of studying the Bible is to see Jesus and experience |
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Joseph: And He Washed His Face by J. Frank Norris | In this sermon, the preacher, Dillon, discusses the importance of human relationships and the need to follow God's law. He emphasizes the significance of presenting oneself in a ca |
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(Genesis) Genesis 27:18-29 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and Esau from the Bible. He emphasizes that God had already blessed Jacob, but Jacob still sought his father's blessing. J |
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(Revelation) Part 1 the Scarlet Womans Future Judgement by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Revelation Chapter 17 and the woman mentioned in the text. The woman is described as sitting upon many waters, representing peoples, nations |