Genesis 45:26

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

وأَخبَروه فقالوا: «إِنَّ يوسفَ لا يَزالُ حَيًّا، بل هو مُسَلَّطٌ على كُلِّ أَرضِ مِصْر». فجَمَدَ قَلْبُه، لأَنَّه لم يُصَدِّقْهم.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Genesis tells us that Jacob's sons returned home and informed him that Joseph, whom he thought was dead, was actually alive and ruling Egypt. Jacob was so shocked that he initially couldn't believe them.

Explained for Children

Imagine you lost your favorite toy and thought you'd never see it again. Then, one day, your friends tell you that your toy is actually at the biggest toy store in the world and is the most important toy there. You'd be so surprised that you might not believe them at first, just like Jacob.

Historical Background

Genesis, written by Moses around 1446-1406 BC, recounts the story of Joseph and his family. This passage is part of the broader narrative of the Israelites moving to Egypt during a famine, which was a significant event in ancient Near Eastern history.

Living It Out Today

Consider a time when you heard unbelievable news about someone you thought was out of your life forever. Like if a long-lost friend suddenly contacted you from a place you never expected. This verse reminds us to be open to the unexpected and to trust the surprising ways God works.

Topics

• faith
• hope
• surprise
• trust
• family
• forgiveness

Related Verses

• Genesis 42:1-38
• Genesis 43:1-34
• Genesis 46:1-7
• Matthew 2:13-15
• Luke 2:1-7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Jacob's heart faint?

Jacob's heart was faint because he was deeply shocked and couldn't believe the news about Joseph, which was too good to be true for him.

What does it mean for Joseph to be a 'governor over all the land of Egypt'?

It means Joseph was a high-ranking official in Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh, with authority over much of the country's administration and resources.

How does this verse connect with faith?

This verse highlights the difficulty of faith when confronted with incredible news. It shows the struggle to believe in the unseen or the improbable, which is a common theme in faith.

What can we learn about family from this verse?

We learn about the power of family and the enduring nature of familial love and the importance of communication within a family, even in the face of disbelief.