Genesis 45:26 - They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he didn’t believe them.
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What does "Genesis 45:26" mean?
This verse refers to the moment Jacob (also called Israel) is told that his son Joseph, whom he believed to be dead for decades, is not only alive but also the ruler of all of Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:
"They told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.'" This is the core information being delivered to Jacob. After Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he sent them back to Canaan to bring their father and families to Egypt. They returned with this incredible news.
"His heart fainted..." The Hebrew word translated as "fainted" implies a loss of strength, feeling, or even consciousness. It suggests that Jacob was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude and improbability of the news.
"...for he didn’t believe them." This clarifies why his heart fainted. The news was so shocking and unbelievable that Jacob couldn't immediately accept it as true. He likely had carried the grief of Joseph's supposed death for so long that the possibility of him being alive, and not just alive but powerful, seemed impossible.
In essence, the verse highlights Jacob's initial reaction of disbelief and emotional shock upon hearing the news about Joseph. The news was too good to be true, so overwhelming that his heart literally "fainted." He was probably thinking about the circumstances surrounding the story of how Joseph died, with the bloody coat.
This verse is important because it sets the stage for Jacob's eventual belief and reunion with Joseph. His sons then showed him the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him and his family, and his spirit revived. It emphasizes the power of hope, the enduring strength of family bonds, and the potential for unexpected joy after years of suffering.
Genesis 45:26 - They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he didn’t believe them.
What does "Genesis 45:26" mean?
This verse refers to the moment Jacob (also called Israel) is told that his son Joseph, whom he believed to be dead for decades, is not only alive but also the ruler of all of Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:
"They told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.'" This is the core information being delivered to Jacob. After Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he sent them back to Canaan to bring their father and families to Egypt. They returned with this incredible news.
"His heart fainted..." The Hebrew word translated as "fainted" implies a loss of strength, feeling, or even consciousness. It suggests that Jacob was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude and improbability of the news.
"...for he didn’t believe them." This clarifies why his heart fainted. The news was so shocking and unbelievable that Jacob couldn't immediately accept it as true. He likely had carried the grief of Joseph's supposed death for so long that the possibility of him being alive, and not just alive but powerful, seemed impossible.
In essence, the verse highlights Jacob's initial reaction of disbelief and emotional shock upon hearing the news about Joseph. The news was too good to be true, so overwhelming that his heart literally "fainted." He was probably thinking about the circumstances surrounding the story of how Joseph died, with the bloody coat.
This verse is important because it sets the stage for Jacob's eventual belief and reunion with Joseph. His sons then showed him the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him and his family, and his spirit revived. It emphasizes the power of hope, the enduring strength of family bonds, and the potential for unexpected joy after years of suffering.