Genesis 50:20

Genesis 50:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
• English Standard Version (ESV)As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Context of Genesis 50:20

18Then his brothers went and fell down before him [in confession]; then they said, “Behold, we are your servants (slaves).” 19But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? [Vengeance is His, not mine.] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome, that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day]. 21So now, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and support you and your little ones.” So he comforted them [giving them encouragement and hope] and spoke [with kindness] to their hearts. 22Now Joseph lived in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years.

Genesis 50:20 word by word

וְאַתֶּ֕ם חֲשַׁבְתֶּ֥ם עָלַ֖י רָעָ֑ה אֱלֹהִים֙ חֲשָׁבָ֣הּ לְטֹבָ֔ה לְמַ֗עַן עֲשֹׂ֛ה כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה לְהַחֲיֹ֥ת עַם־רָֽב׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But as for you, ye thoughtחָשַׁבchâshab · to devise: deviseH2803
• evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• unto goodטוֹבָהţôb · welfareH2896
• toמַ֫עַןma‛an · becauseH4616
• bring to passעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• this dayיוֹםyôm · day: todayH3117
• to saveחָיָהchâyâh · to liveH2421
• muchרַבrab · manyH7227
• peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971

Cross-references for Genesis 50:20

• Genesis 37:4His brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than all of his brothers; so they hated him and could not [find it within themselves to] speak to him on friendly terms.
• Psalms 56:5All day long they twist my words and say hurtful things; All their thoughts are against me for evil.
• Genesis 45:5Now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save life and preserve our family.
• Psalms 76:10For the wrath of man shall praise You; With a remnant of wrath You will clothe and arm Yourself.
• Psalms 105:16And He called for a famine upon the land [of Egypt]; He cut off every source of bread.
• Psalms 119:71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
• Isaiah 10:7Yet it is not Assyria’s intention [to do My will], Nor does it plan so in its heart, But instead it is its purpose to destroy And to cut off many nations.
• Acts 2:23this Man, when handed over [to the Roman authorities] according to the predetermined decision and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross and put to death by the hands of lawless and godless men.
• Acts 3:13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant and Son Jesus [doing Him this honor], the One whom you handed over and disowned and rejected before Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.
• Romans 8:28And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Commentaries on Genesis 50:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-26Verses 1-26 - 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-21Verses 15-21 Various motives might cause the sons of Jacob to continue in Egypt, notwithstanding the prophetic vision Abraham had of their bondage there. Judging of Joseph from the general temper of human nature, they thought he would now avenge himself on those who hated and injured him without cause. Not being able to resist, or to flee away, they attempted to soften him by humbling themselves. They pleaded with him as the servants of Jacob's God…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-21Joseph comforted his brothers, explaining that God intended to fulfill the promised blessing (compare 45:5, 7–9). He also promised them kindness and support (see 45:11).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-2115-21. When Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, &c.--Joseph was deeply affected by this communication. He gave them the strongest assurances of his forgiveness and thereby gave both a beautiful trait of his own pious character, as well as appeared an eminent type of the Saviour.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 50:20

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Brother
• Conviction
• Faith
• Family
• Forgiveness

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Providence
• Genesis
• Jacob (1)
• Mean

Commentaries on Genesis 50

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings