Genesis 45:18 - Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.’

Generated Verse: Genesis 45:18

What does "Genesis 45:18" mean?


This verse, from Genesis 45:18, is part of Joseph's message to his brothers after he has revealed his true identity to them in Egypt. It means the following:

"Take your father and your households, and come to me": Joseph is inviting his entire family – his elderly father Jacob (also known as Israel), all his brothers, their wives, and children – to relocate from Canaan to Egypt. He is using his powerful position as a high-ranking official in Egypt to provide for his family.

"and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt": Joseph promises them a privileged position and the best resources available in Egypt. He is not just offering them a place to live, but a place of prosperity and comfort.

"and you will eat the fat of the land.": This is an idiom meaning they will enjoy the abundance and richest produce of the land. It signifies a life of luxury, ease, and plenty. It implies they will lack nothing and have access to the best food and resources.

In essence, the verse is a generous invitation from Joseph to his family to come to Egypt where he will provide for them and they will live in abundance and prosperity, free from the famine that was plaguing Canaan.

The underlying message is one of reconciliation and provision. Joseph, despite having been wronged by his brothers in the past, is now extending extraordinary grace and care to them. He is using his power to ensure their survival and well-being, offering them a life of comfort they could not achieve in their homeland. This act of kindness sets the stage for the Israelites' extended stay in Egypt, which later becomes a significant part of their history.

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