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    I am your brother – Vayyiggash

    Joseph & his brothers, by Gustave Dore

    In Gen. 45:3, Joseph, the viceroy of Egypt, finally reveals himself to his brothers and says, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?”

    The question about his father is strange. Judah had already told him, “We have an elderly father” (Gen. 44:20).

    Possibly Joseph’s question is intended as a rebuke to his brothers: “Now you talk about your father’s feelings and show concern that an aged parent will grieve if Benjamin doesn’t come home. What about the time when you sold me as a slave to Egypt and didn’t seem to care whether it would cause our father anguish?”

    Joseph doesn’t need to be told that Jacob is still alive. What he does want, rather diplomatically, is to understand how they could suddenly be so concerned about Jacob when they must have seen years of sorrow on his face.

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