Genesis - 45:12



12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 45:12.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
Behold, your eyes, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaketh to you.
And lo, your eyes are seeing, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth which is speaking unto you;
Now truly, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which says these things to you.
Behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see that it is my mouth speaking to you.
Et ecce, oculi vestri vident et oculi fratris mei Benjamin, quod os meum loquitur ad vos.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

That it is my mouth that speaketh unto you - The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel renders the place thus: - "Your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my own mouth that speaketh with you, in the language of the house of the sanctuary." Undoubtedly Joseph laid considerable stress on his speaking with them in the Hebrew tongue, without the assistance of an interpreter, as in the case mentioned Genesis 42:23.

And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that [it is] (d) my mouth that speaketh unto you.
(d) That is, that I speak in your own language and have no interpreter.

And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin,.... They were eyewitnesses of his being alive, having themselves seen him, and even Benjamin, who could not be suspected by his father of a fraud in imposing on him; and some of them could doubtless remember his features, and had an ocular proof of his being the very person, which they could with great evidence relate unto Jacob; as also his voice in speaking:
that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you; without an interpreter, as Aben Ezra, and in the Hebrew language, as the Targum and Jarchi; which might confirm them, and likewise their father upon their report, that the governor was not an Egyptian, but an Hebrew; and by that and other concurrent testimonies that he must be Joseph.

Your eyes see that it is my mouth - If they could recollect themselves, they might remember something of his features and speech, and be satisfied.
(2.) He is very earnest that his father and all his family should come to him to Egypt. Come down unto me, tarry not - He allots his dwelling in Goshen, that part of Egypt which lay towards Canaan, that they might be mindful of the country from which they were to come out. He promiseth to provide for him, I will nourish - Our Lord Jesus being, like Joseph, exalted to the highest honours and powers of the upper world, it is his will that all that are his should be with him where he is. This is his commandment, that we be with him now in faith and hope, and a heavenly conversation; and this is his promise, that we shall be for ever with him.

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