Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!”
Parallel translations
- WEB So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, “See that you don’t quarrel on the way.”
- KJV So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
- NKJV So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”
- NASB So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.”
- NLT So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, “Don’t quarrel about all this along the way!”
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
As his brothers depart, Joseph warns them not to quarrel on the way. He anticipates the tension their shared guilt might stir.
Overview
Joseph sends the brothers off with a tender caution against quarreling during the journey. He likely foresees that they might blame one another for the old sin now brought to light. His gentle word seeks to preserve the peace that forgiveness has restored among them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Th 5:13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
- Eph 4:31–32Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
- Gen 42:21–22Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
- Col 3:12–13Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Ps 133:1–3A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
- Phil 2:2–5then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
- John 13:34–35A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
- Gen 37:22“Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 45:24 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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