Genesis 45:17
ESV
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan,
NIV
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan,
NASB
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your livestock and go to the land of Canaan,
CSB
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and go on back to the land of Canaan.
NLT
Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Tell your brothers, ‘This is what you must do: Load your pack animals, and hurry back to the land of Canaan.
KJV
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
NKJV
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan.
What does Genesis 45:17 mean?
Joseph had already told his brothers to move the entire family and all they owned to Egypt to survive the famine. Most likely, his intent was to care for them using his own personal resources (Genesis 45:10–11). Pharaoh, the monarch of Egypt, credits Joseph and Joseph's God for saving Egypt from the famine (Genesis 41:55). He takes Joseph's offer even further. He will make it as easy as possible for Joseph's family to move to Egypt and thrive.Pharaoh begins by telling Joseph to send his brothers back to Canaan, so they can bring their father and the rest of the family back. They are not planning to visit again, but to relocate entirely. Joseph, of course, has already done exactly that. Pharaoh's command provides further confidence to the family that they will find a warm welcome in Egypt.
Genesis 45:16–28 describes Pharaoh's enthusiastic response to learning about Joseph's reunion with his estranged family. With Pharaoh's blessing, Joseph urges his brothers to return to Canaan, pack all they own, and come back to resettle the family in Egypt. Their father Jacob agrees after eventually being convinced the story is true.
Genesis 45 is a series of revelations. Following an emotional breakdown, Joseph finally reveals his identity to his baffled brothers. After they realize the governor of Egypt is the one they sold into slavery two decades earlier, he rushes to tell them he does not hold them responsible. In His own way, God had arranged for Joseph's enslavement, for the purpose of saving many people from famine. With Pharaoh's enthusiastic support, Joseph arranged for his brothers to return to Canaan, pack up Jacob and all they own, and come back to resettle in Egypt. Jacob, finally convinced all this is true, agrees to the move.
