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.
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.
- KJV Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto 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.
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 47:12Joseph nourished his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
- 1 Pet 3:9not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
- Gen 45:10–11You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children’s children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.
- Matt 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
- 1 Th 5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
- Isa 40:2“Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh’s hand double for all her sins.”
- Rom 12:20–21Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
- Matt 6:14“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Gen 34:3His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady.
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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.