The Meaning of Genesis 45:1 Explained

Genesis 45:1

KJV: Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

YLT: And Joseph hath not been able to refrain himself before all those standing by him, and he calleth, 'Put out every man from me;' and no man hath stood with him when Joseph maketh himself known unto his brethren,

Darby: And Joseph could not control himself before all them that stood by him, and he cried, Put every man out from me! And no man stood with him when Joseph made himself known to his brethren.

ASV: Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood before him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then Joseph  could  not refrain  himself before all them that stood  by him; and he cried,  Cause  every man  to go out  from me. And there stood  no man  with him, while Joseph  made himself known  unto his brethren. 

What does Genesis 45:1 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 45:1 mean?

And not could Joseph restrain himself before all those who stood by him And he cried out Make go out every man from me So no stood man with him while made himself known to his brothers
וְלֹֽא־ יָכֹ֨ל יוֹסֵ֜ף לְהִתְאַפֵּ֗ק לְכֹ֤ל הַנִּצָּבִים֙ עָלָ֔יו וַיִּקְרָ֕א הוֹצִ֥יאוּ כָל־ אִ֖ישׁ מֵעָלָ֑י וְלֹא־ עָ֤מַד אִישׁ֙ אִתּ֔וֹ בְּהִתְוַדַּ֥ע אֶל־ אֶחָֽיו

וְלֹֽא־  And  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יָכֹ֨ל  could 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָכֹל  
Sense: to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able.
יוֹסֵ֜ף  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
לְהִתְאַפֵּ֗ק  restrain  himself 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hitpael, Infinitive construct
Root: אָפַק  
Sense: to hold, be strong, restrain, hold back.
לְכֹ֤ל  before  all 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
הַנִּצָּבִים֙  those  who  stood 
Parse: Article, Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: הֻצַּב 
Sense: to stand, take one’s stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish.
עָלָ֔יו  by  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
וַיִּקְרָ֕א  And  he  cried  out 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
הוֹצִ֥יאוּ  Make  go  out 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
כָל־  every 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
אִ֖ישׁ  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
מֵעָלָ֑י  from  me 
Parse: Preposition-m, first person common singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
וְלֹא־  So  no 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
עָ֤מַד  stood 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָמַד  
Sense: to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand.
אִישׁ֙  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
אִתּ֔וֹ  with  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: אֵת 
Sense: with, near, together with.
בְּהִתְוַדַּ֥ע  while  made  himself  known 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Hitpael, Infinitive construct
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
אֶחָֽיו  his  brothers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.