Genesis - 45:2



2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 45:2.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians and all the house of Pharao heard. \
And he raised his voice in weeping; and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
and he giveth forth his voice in weeping, and the Egyptians hear, and the house of Pharaoh heareth.
And so loud was his weeping, that it came to the ears of the Egyptians and all Pharaoh's house.
And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians heard, along with the entire house of Pharaoh.
Et emisit vocem suam cum fletu: et audierunt Aegyptii, audivit et domus Pharaonis.

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


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

The Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard - It seems strange that Joseph should have wept so loud that his cries should be heard at some considerable distance, as we may suppose his dwelling was not very nigh to the palace! "But this," says Sir John Chardin, "is exactly the genius of the people of Asia - their sentiments of joy or grief are properly transports, and their transports are ungoverned, excessive, and truly outrageous. When any one returns from a long journey, or dies, his family burst into cries that may be heard twenty doors off; and this is renewed at different times, and continues many days, according to the vigor of the passion. Sometimes they cease all at once, and then begin as suddenly with a greater shrillness and loudness than one could easily imagine." This circumstance Sir John brings to illustrate the verse in question. See Harmer, vol. iii. p. 17. But the house of Pharaoh may certainly signify Pharaoh's servants, or any of the members of his household, such as those whom Joseph had desired to withdraw, and who might still be within hearing of his voice. After all, the words may only mean that the report was brought to Pharaoh's house. See Genesis 45:16.

And he wept aloud,....; Or "gave forth his voice in weeping" (r); as he wept he cried aloud; for having put such a violent restraint on himself, as the flood of tears was the greater, so his voice was the stronger and louder for it:
and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard; the Egyptians, that were in the room or rooms adjoining to that where Joseph was, heard his cry, and perhaps a great deal of what was said; which they soon reported to others, and it quickly reached Pharaoh's court, which might not be at any great distance.
(r) "et dedit vocem suam in fletu", Montanus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.

he wept aloud--No doubt, from the fulness of highly excited feelings; but to indulge in vehement and long-continued transports of sobbing is the usual way in which the Orientals express their grief.

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