Genesis 45:3 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. I am Joseph - Mr. Pope supposed that the discovery of Ulysses to his son Telemachus bears some resemblance to Joseph's discovery of himself to his brethren. The passage may be seen in Homer, Odyss. l. xvi., ver. 186-218.

A few lines from Cowper's translation will show much of the spirit of the original, and also a considerable analogy between the two scenes: -

"I am thy father, for whose sake thou lead'st

A life of wo by violence oppress'd.

So saying, he kiss'd his son; while from his cheeks

Tears trickled, tears till then perforce restrain'd.

Then threw Telemachus

His arms around his father's neck, and wept.

Pangs of soft sorrow, not to be suppress'd,

Seized both. So they, their cheeks with big round drops of wo

Bedewing, stood."

Genesis 45:3

3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubledb at his presence.