The Meaning of Genesis 45:5 Explained

Genesis 45:5

KJV: Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

YLT: and now, be not grieved, nor let it be displeasing in your eyes that ye sold me hither, for to preserve life hath God sent me before you.

Darby: And now, be not grieved, and be not angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

ASV: And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Now therefore be not grieved,  nor angry  with yourselves,  that ye sold  me hither: for God  did send  me before you  to preserve life. 

What does Genesis 45:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 45:1-15 - Joseph Makes Himself Known To His Brothers
It may be that we have here an exact representation of a scene which shall be transacted some day, when our Lord makes Himself known to His brethren, the Jews. The Apostle Paul tells us that ultimately all Israel shall be saved; and may not this be brought about, when He says to them, "I am Jesus, your brother, whom ye delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate"? Was not Joseph's wife rejoiced by his joy, and will not the Church of the redeemed be glad when that great reconciliation takes effect? What a beautiful interpretation Joseph put on their act of treachery-"God did send me before you." Let us always trace God's plan in the malevolence and opposition of men. They could have no power at all, unless it was given them from above. Joseph supplied all their needs-wagons to carry, food to nourish, raiment to clothe, and greetings to welcome! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 45

1  Joseph makes himself known to his brothers
5  He comforts them in God's providence
9  He sends for his father
16  Pharaoh confirms it
21  Joseph furnishes then for their journey
25  Jacob is revived with the news

What do the individual words in Genesis 45:5 mean?

But now therefore not do be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here For to preserve life sent me God before you
וְעַתָּ֣ה ׀ אַל־ תֵּעָ֣צְב֗וּ וְאַל־ יִ֙חַר֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם כִּֽי־ מְכַרְתֶּ֥ם אֹתִ֖י הֵ֑נָּה כִּ֣י לְמִֽחְיָ֔ה שְׁלָחַ֥נִי אֱלֹהִ֖ים לִפְנֵיכֶֽם

וְעַתָּ֣ה ׀  But  now  therefore 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
תֵּעָ֣צְב֗וּ  do  be  grieved 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: עָצַב 
Sense: to hurt, pain, grieve, displease, vex, wrest.
יִ֙חַר֙  angry 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: חָרָה  
Sense: to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם  with  yourselves 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, cdc, second person masculine plural
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
כִּֽי־  because 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
מְכַרְתֶּ֥ם  you  sold 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: מָכַר  
Sense: to sell.
אֹתִ֖י  me 
Parse: Direct object marker, first person common singular
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הֵ֑נָּה  here 
Parse: Adverb
Root: הֵנָּה  
Sense: here, there, now, hither.
לְמִֽחְיָ֔ה  to  preserve  life 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִחְיָה  
Sense: preservation of life, sustenance.
שְׁלָחַ֥נִי  sent  me 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
לִפְנֵיכֶֽם  before  you 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.