Genesis 50:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 50:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.
Genesis 50:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 50

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And his brethren also went, etc.] The messengers being returned to them, and acquainting them with what Joseph had said, they took courage and went from Goshen to Joseph’s house or palace, be it where it may: and fell down before his face; in an humble suppliant manner: and they said, behold, we be thy servants; they were content to be so, would he but forgive their sin, and not resent their ill behaviour to him; thus they further fulfilled his dream of the eleven stars making obeisance to him, (<013709>Genesis 37:9).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- The Burial of Jacob 10. אטד 'āṭâd Atad, “the buck-thorn.” 11. מצרים אבל 'ābêl-mı̂tsrayı̂m, Abel-Mitsraim, “mourning of Mizraim,” or meadow of Mizraim. This chapter records the burial of Jacob and the death of Joseph, and so completes the history of the chosen family, and the third bible for the instruction of man. Genesis 50:1-3 After the natural outburst of sorrow for his deceased parent, Joseph gave orders to embalm the body, according to the custom of Egypt. “His servants, the physicians.” As the grand vizier of Egypt, he has physicians in his retinue. The classes and functions of the physicians in Egypt may be learned from Herodotus (ii. 81-86). There were special physicians for…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification