Joseph Forgives His Brothers (Genesis 50:15–21)
Genesis 50:15-21 · Berean Standard Bible
Years after his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph — now a ruler in Egypt — faces them again after their father's death, and they fear his revenge. Instead Joseph weeps and reassures them with words that define biblical forgiveness: 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.' Genesis 50:15–21 shows how Joseph's story teaches forgiveness that trusts God's purposes over past wrongs.
15When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.”
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.
21Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.
Read the wider context: Genesis 50.
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Related passages
- The Story of Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37) — Genesis 37:1-36
- The Story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden — Genesis 2:4-3:24
- The Story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1–16) — Genesis 4:1-16
- The Story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27:1–40) — Genesis 27:1-40