Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep.
Parallel translations
- WEB Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there.
- KJV And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
- NKJV Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.
- NASB Joseph then hurried out, for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he looked for a place to weep; so he entered his chamber and wept there.
- NLT Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother. He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Overcome with love for Benjamin, Joseph hurries away to weep in private. His tears expose the affection behind his composed exterior.
Overview
Joseph's yearning heart can scarcely contain itself at the sight of his brother, and he withdraws to cry. The scene reveals that his testing was never cold revenge but love seeking the right moment. His controlled compassion mirrors a God whose discipline flows from deep affection for his own.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Gen 42:24And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.
- Jer 31:20Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
- John 11:33–38When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
- Gen 45:2But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.
- Hos 11:8How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!
- Phil 1:8God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- Phil 2:1Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
- Gen 45:14–15Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced.
- 1 Kgs 3:26Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!”
- 1 Jn 3:17If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- 2 Tim 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
- Col 3:12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Acts 20:19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
- Acts 20:37They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
- Acts 20:31Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
- Gen 46:29Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 43:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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