Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.
- BSB Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.
- NKJV Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
- NASB So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
- NLT No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
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
Joseph reassures his brothers and promises to provide for them and their children, speaking kindly.
Overview
Forgiveness issues in tangible kindness as Joseph pledges to nourish and comfort those who wronged him. His gracious words and provision embody the love that overcomes evil with good. Joseph mirrors the heart of God, who not only pardons but lavishes care upon His reconciled people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gen 47:12And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
- 1 Pet 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
- Gen 45:10–11And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
- Matt 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- 1 Th 5:15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
- Isa 40:2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.
- Rom 12:20–21Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
- Matt 6:14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
- Gen 34:3And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
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 50:21 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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