Genesis 50:20-21 Exegesis and Interpretation
Genesis 50:20-21 Exegesis and Interpretation
Genesis 50:20-21 reads, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones" [5, 3]. Joseph's statement to his brothers is a pivotal moment in the narrative, as it highlights the tension between human intention and divine providence.
Literary Context
The passage is part of Joseph's final speech to his brothers before his death. The preceding chapters detail Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and his interactions with his family. The brothers' fear of Joseph's retribution after their father's death (Genesis 50:15) sets the stage for Joseph's reassuring words. The larger narrative unit is the story of Joseph, which spans Genesis 37-50.
Historical Setting
The events described in Genesis 50:20-21 take place in Egypt, likely during the Second Intermediate Period or the early New Kingdom period, although the exact date is uncertain [6]. Joseph's speech is addressed to his brothers, who are still grappling with the consequences of their past actions.
Key Terms
The Hebrew word "וַיְדַבֵּר" (vaydabber), translated as "meant" or "planned," is crucial in understanding the passage. It highlights the distinction between human intention ("you meant evil") and divine intention ("God meant it for good") [5]. The term "טוֹב" (tov), translated as "good," is also significant, as it underscores God's sovereign plan to bring about a positive outcome.
Major Exegetical Decisions
The primary exegetical decision revolves around understanding the relationship between human agency and divine providence. Joseph's statement implies that God's sovereignty is not limited by human actions, but rather, God can use even evil intentions for good. Calvin interprets this passage as a demonstration of God's providence, where "God's counsel is not frustrated by the wickedness of men" [6].
Range of Interpretations
Interpretations of Genesis 50:20-21 vary across traditions. In the Reformed tradition, Calvin emphasizes God's sovereignty and providence, seeing Joseph's statement as a testament to God's ability to bring good out of evil [6]. In contrast, the Jewish Rationalist tradition, represented by Abraham Ibn Ezra, focuses on the literal meaning of the text, understanding it as a demonstration of God's ability to transform evil into good [7]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, sees Joseph's statement as an example of virtuous behavior, highlighting the importance of forgiveness and trust in God's providence [8].
Function in Tradition
Genesis 50:20-21 has been influential in shaping theological discussions around providence and the problem of evil. The passage has been cited in various contexts, including discussions on the nature of God's sovereignty and human responsibility. In liturgical contexts, the passage is often read during services that focus on themes of forgiveness, trust, and providence.
The passage has also been cross-referenced with other biblical texts, such as Psalm 50:14 and Isaiah 45:7, to explore the theme of God's providence [4, 2]. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge notes that Genesis 50:20 is cross-referenced with numerous other passages, highlighting the interconnectedness of biblical themes and motifs [1].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 5:11 cross-references: Genesis 20:16, Genesis 49:5, Leviticus 19:17, Job 24:13, Job 24:16, Psalms 1:1, Psalms 26:4, Psalms 94:20, Psalms 141:5, Proverbs 1:31, Proverbs 4:14, Proverbs 9:6, Proverbs 13:18, Proverbs 15:12, Proverbs 19:25, Proverbs 25:12, Proverbs 29:1, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 29:21, Jeremiah 15:17, Matthew 18:15, Luke 3:19, John 3:19, Romans 1:22, Romans 6:21, Romans 13:12, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 5:9, 1 Corinthians 10:20, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Galatians 6:8, Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 5:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 1 Timothy 5:20, 1 T”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.50.14 → Ps.56.12 (confidence: 21 votes)”
- King James Version “[KJV] Genesis 50:21 — Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones.”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Isa.45.7 → Jer.51.20 (confidence: 15 votes)”
- Genesis “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. -- Genesis 50:20”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 9:21 11:1 11:1 11:31 15:13 15:13 16:1 17:1 17:1-22 21 21:5 21:22 22:18 23:9 24:1-67 24:2 24:40 24:49 24:60 24:60 25:1-34 25:20 26:1 26:1-35 26:24 27:1-46 28:1-22 29:1 29:1-35 29:4 30:1-43 30:33 31:1 31:1-55 31:15 32:1-32 32:18 33:1-20 33:19 34:1-31 34:12 35:1-29 36:1 36:1-43 37:1-36 37:3 37:20 37:36 38:1-30 38:7 39:1 39:1-23 40:1-23 40:3 41:1-57 41:45 41:46 42:1-38 43:1-34 44:1 44:1-34 44:7 44:16 45:1 45:1-28 45:10 46:1-34 46:28 47:1-31 47:4 47:29 48:1 48:1-22 49:1 49:1-33 49:19 50:1-26 Exodu”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 51:20: The rebuke of thy God . This is the explanation of the preceding, the fury of the Lord.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 45:3 45:10-11 45:11 46:4 47:20 48:1 48:1 48:10 48:10 49:15 49:16 49:17 49:17 49:17 50:3 50:13 51:1 51:4 51:10 51:10 51:16-17 51:17 52:8 53:5 53:5-6 58:10 62:3 62:3 62:10 62:12 63:1 64:5 68:5 68:6 68:18 68:18 69:1 69:17 69:20 69:20 73:6 73:7 73:27 73:27 74:13-14 74:17 78:30 80:12 80:12-13 81:7 81:10 84:2 84:6 86:10 88 90:2 91:2 91:5-6 94:12 98:3 103 144:5 145:9 Proverbs 3:3 3:3 3:11 3:34 4:27 5:3 5:3-4 6:34-35 10:9 12:28 14:12 14:31 15:17 18:3 18:19 20:6 20:6 24:11 25:28 26:11 26:12 26:12 26:27 28:1 28:1 30:8 31:6 Ecclesiastes 1:2”