Genesis 50:17
New International Version
This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

New Living Translation
to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.

English Standard Version
‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Berean Standard Bible
‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

King James Bible
So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

New King James Version
‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

New American Standard Bible
‘This is what you shall say to Joseph: “Please forgive, I beg you, the offense of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the offense of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

NASB 1995
‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

NASB 1977
‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they dealt evil against you.”’ So now, please forgive the transgression of the slaves of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Amplified Bible
‘You are to say to Joseph, “I beg you, please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ Now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Christian Standard Bible
‘Say this to Joseph: Please forgive your brothers’ transgression and their sin—the suffering they caused you.’ Therefore, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when their message came to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Say this to Joseph: Please forgive your brothers’ transgression and their sin—the suffering they caused you.’ Therefore, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when their message came to him.

American Standard Version
So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil. And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

Contemporary English Version
he told us, "You did some cruel and terrible things to Joseph, but you must ask him to forgive you." Now we ask you to please forgive the terrible things we did. After all, we serve the same God that your father worshiped. When Joseph heard this, he started crying.

English Revised Version
So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'This is what you should say to Joseph, "I'm begging you to forgive the crime and the sin your brothers committed against you. What they did to you was very evil.' " So now, please forgive our crime, because we are servants of your father's God." Joseph cried when he got their message.

Good News Translation
he told us to ask you, 'Please forgive the crime your brothers committed when they wronged you.' Now please forgive us the wrong that we, the servants of your father's God, have done." Joseph cried when he received this message.

International Standard Version
"Before he died, your father left some instructions. He told us, 'Tell Joseph, "Please forgive your brothers' offenses. I beg you, forgive their sins, because they wronged you."' So please forgive the transgression of the servants of your father's God." Joseph wept when they talked to him.

Majority Standard Bible
?This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.? So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.? When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

NET Bible
Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.' Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father." When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept.

New Heart English Bible
Thus you are to tell Joseph, "Now please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you."And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father. " And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
So shall ye say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did to thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

World English Bible
‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus you say to Joseph: Ah, now, please bear with the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they have done you evil; and now, please bear with the transgression of the servants of the God of your father”; and Joseph weeps in their speaking to him.

Young's Literal Translation
Thus ye do say to Joseph, I pray thee, bear, I pray thee, with the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for they have done thee evil; and now, bear, we pray thee, with the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father;' and Joseph weepeth in their speaking unto him.

Smith's Literal Translation
So shall ye say to Joseph, I pray thee now take away the trespass of thy brethren and their sin; for they did to thee evil: and at this time now take away upon the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph will weep in their speaking to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That we should say thus much to thee from him: I beseech thee to forget the wickedness of thy brethren, and the sin and malice they practiced against thee: we also pray thee, to forgive the servants of the God of thy father this wickedness. And when Joseph heard this, he wept.

Catholic Public Domain Version
that we should say these words to you from him: ‘I beg you to forget the wickedness of your brothers, and the sin and malice that they practiced against you.’ Likewise, we petition you to release the servants of the God of your father from this iniquity.” Hearing this, Joseph wept.

New American Bible
‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: Please forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you harmfully.’ So now please forgive the crime that we, the servants of the God of your father, committed.” When they said this to him, Joseph broke into tears.

New Revised Standard Version
‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus shall you say to Joseph, Forgive, we pray you now, the trespass of your brothers and their sins; for they did evil to you; and now forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father. And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
‘In this way you will say to Yoseph: “Pray, forgive the offense of your brethren and their sins, the evil that they have done to you’, and now, forgive the offense of the Servants of the God of your father”; and Yoseph wept when they spoke to him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So shall ye say unto Joseph: Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil. And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father.' And Joseph wept when they spoke unto him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus say ye to Joseph, Forgive them their injustice and their sin, forasmuch as they have done thee evil; and now pardon the injustice of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept while they spoke to him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Comforts His Brothers
16So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, 17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”…

Cross References
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

2 Corinthians 2:10
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Psalm 32:1-2
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Isaiah 43:25
I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Psalm 86:5
For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.

Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him


Treasury of Scripture

So shall you say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you now, the trespass of your brothers, and their sin; for they did to you evil: and now, we pray you, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father. And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Forgive.

Matthew 6:12,14,15
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…

Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Luke 17:3,4
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him…

they did.

Genesis 50:20
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Job 33:27,28
He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; …

Psalm 21:11
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

servants.

Genesis 31:42
Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

Genesis 49:25
Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Matthew 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

wept.

Genesis 42:21-24
And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us…

Genesis 45:4,5,8
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt…

Jump to Previous
Committed Disobedience Evil Forgive Joseph Message Please Servants Sin Sins Transgression Treating Trespass Wept Wrong Wrongs
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Committed Disobedience Evil Forgive Joseph Message Please Servants Sin Sins Transgression Treating Trespass Wept Wrong Wrongs
Genesis 50
1. The mourning for Jacob.
4. Joseph gets leave of Pharaoh to go to bury him.
7. The funeral.
15. Joseph comforts his brothers, who crave his pardon.
22. His age.
23. He sees the third generation of his sons.
24. He prophesies unto his brothers of their return.
25. He takes an oath of them concerning his bones.
26. He dies, and is put into a coffin.














This is what you are to say to Joseph
This phrase sets the stage for a message of reconciliation. The brothers are instructed to convey a specific message to Joseph, indicating a formal and deliberate approach to seeking forgiveness. The Hebrew root for "say" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies a declaration or command, suggesting the seriousness of the message. This reflects the cultural importance of spoken words in ancient times, where verbal agreements and confessions held significant weight.

I beg you, please forgive
The plea for forgiveness is heartfelt and urgent. The Hebrew word for "forgive" (נָשָׂא, nasa) means to lift, carry, or take away. This imagery suggests the removal of guilt or burden, highlighting the transformative power of forgiveness. In a historical context, forgiveness was not just a personal act but a communal necessity to restore harmony and peace.

the transgression and sin of your brothers
The use of both "transgression" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha) and "sin" (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah) emphasizes the gravity of the brothers' actions. "Transgression" implies a rebellion or breach of trust, while "sin" denotes a moral failing or offense. This dual acknowledgment underscores the depth of their wrongdoing and the need for comprehensive forgiveness.

for they did you wrong
This phrase acknowledges the personal harm done to Joseph. The Hebrew root for "wrong" (רָעַע, ra'a) conveys the idea of evil or harm. By admitting their wrongdoing, the brothers take responsibility for their actions, which is a crucial step in the process of repentance and reconciliation.

So now, please forgive the transgression
The repetition of the plea for forgiveness reinforces its importance. The phrase "so now" indicates a sense of urgency and immediacy. It suggests that the time for reconciliation is at hand, and action must be taken to heal past wounds.

of the servants of the God of your father.”
By identifying themselves as "servants of the God of your father," the brothers appeal to a shared spiritual heritage. This reference to God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) and their father (Jacob) invokes a sense of familial and divine obligation. It highlights the belief that forgiveness is not just a personal act but a divine mandate, rooted in the covenantal relationship with God.

When their message came to him, Joseph wept
Joseph's weeping is a powerful emotional response, indicating the depth of his feelings. The Hebrew word for "wept" (בָּכָה, bakah) often conveys a sense of lamentation or deep sorrow. This reaction suggests that Joseph's tears are not just for the past hurt but also for the relief and healing that forgiveness brings. It reflects the biblical theme of reconciliation and the restoration of broken relationships through divine grace and mercy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
‘This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

you are to say
תֹאמְר֣וּ (ṯō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Joseph:
לְיוֹסֵ֗ף (lə·yō·w·sêp̄)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

I beg you,
אָ֣נָּ֡א (’ān·nā)
Interjection
Strong's 577: Ah, now! I (we) beseech you!

please
נָ֠א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

forgive
שָׂ֣א (śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the transgression
פֶּ֣שַׁע (pe·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6588: Transgression

and sin
וְחַטָּאתָם֙ (wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

of your brothers,
אַחֶ֤יךָ (’a·ḥe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

for
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they did
גְמָל֔וּךָ (ḡə·mā·lū·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1580: To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen

you wrong.’
רָעָ֣ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

So now, [Joseph],
וְעַתָּה֙ (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

please
נָ֔א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

forgive
שָׂ֣א (śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the transgression
לְפֶ֥שַׁע (lə·p̄e·ša‘)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6588: Transgression

of the servants
עַבְדֵ֖י (‘aḇ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of your father.”
אָבִ֑יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

When their message
בְּדַבְּרָ֥ם (bə·ḏab·bə·rām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

came to him,
אֵלָֽיו׃ (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Joseph
יוֹסֵ֖ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

wept.
וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ (way·yê·ḇək)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan


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OT Law: Genesis 50:17 You shall tell Joseph Now please forgive (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 50:16
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