Verse

Genesis 45:26

ESV And they told him, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them.
NIV They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.
NASB And they told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.' But he was stunned, for he did not believe them.
CSB They said, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!" Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.
NLT Joseph is still alive!' they told him. 'And he is governor of all the land of Egypt!' Jacob was stunned at the news — he couldn’t believe it.
KJV And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
NKJV And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them.

What does Genesis 45:26 mean?

With great fear and anxiety, Jacob sent ten of his twelve sons to Egypt to buy grain from a demanding ruler there (Genesis 43:3–6). From Jacob's perspective, one of his beloved sons had been lost long ago to a wild animal attack (Genesis 37:31–34). Another was held captive in Egypt by the very ruler who then demanded his beloved youngest son Benjamin return with the other brothers (Genesis 42:36). Jacob could not know if he would ever see Benjamin again or, for that matter, if his other sons would return with grain in time to keep the family from starving during the famine (Genesis 43:14).

Now they have returned, including Benjamin and the formerly imprisoned brother. They are also loaded down with grain and, for some reason, accompanied by empty wagons. Jacob probably would have been elated and confused.

One can only imagine how awkward the conversation would have been, as Jacob's sons explain this turn of events. They will have to admit their lie about Joseph's death (Genesis 37:24–28). They will reveal that Jacob's once-favorite son, thought dead for decades, has been alive this entire time (Genesis 45:1–4). Judah had been worried that further bad news would kill their elderly father (Genesis 44:34). In this case, even good news comes as a shock. As one might expect, it's too much for Jacob to process. His reaction is numbness—a stupefied level of disbelief. His sons must have wondered if Jacob would die on the spot.

Pharaoh and Joseph planned well, however (Genesis 45:16–23). Their careful attention to detail will convince Jacob that these stories are true (Genesis 45:27).
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