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Genesis 45:3
ESV And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.
NIV Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
NASB And Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?' But his brothers could not answer him, for they were terrified in his presence.
CSB Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence.
NLT I am Joseph!' he said to his brothers. 'Is my father still alive?' But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.
KJV And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
NKJV Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.

What does Genesis 45:3 mean?

Finally, Joseph pulls himself together enough to say words he has been holding back. His estranged brothers (Genesis 37:24–28) have not recognized him through several extended encounters (Genesis 42:7–8). After Judah's impassioned speech (Genesis 44:18–34), he is ready to uncover the truth. After sending out everyone but his family (Genesis 45:1), it takes him a moment to control his intense reaction (Genesis 45:2).

At last, Joseph says something his brothers probably didn't understand at first: "I am Joseph!" This is quickly followed with an urgent question. "Is my father alive?" This is a poignant moment, as Judah had already claimed Jacob—their mutual father—was living. Joseph's question reveals that he is deeply interested in a conversation with his brothers. He is urgent to save Jacob after Judah had described the sorrow that would literally kill him.

As one might expect, Joseph's brothers cannot immediately answer. They are described using the Hebrew term nib'halu', meaning they are shocked and disturbed to the point they can't move or think. English words like "dumbfounded," "flabbergasted," and "staggered" carry similar meaning.

First, the reader needs to understand that it has been more than twenty years since these men last knowingly saw Joseph. At that time, he was a seventeen-year-old Hebrew shepherd (Genesis 37:1–2). The last time they saw him, he was begging not to be sold into slavery (Genesis 42:21). Now, Joseph is nearly 40 years old, dressed in Egyptian finery (Genesis 41:42), married to an Egyptian priestess (Genesis 41:45), and wielding immense power (Genesis 41:40). They never would have imagined this outcome.

Second, these men would immediately be terrified for their lives. The person they maliciously sold into slavery now commands an entire nation. Of Joseph's eleven brothers, only Benjamin was not involved in his enslavement. Those ten men already know they bear God's judgment for what they did (Genesis 42:21–23; 44:16). The most natural assumption would be that their lives are over: that Joseph is about to enact terrible revenge.

Fortunately for them, this has never been Joseph's intent. He will explain his perspective (Genesis 45:7–8) and detail his plans to care for his family (Genesis 45:10–11).
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