And he made haste, because his heart was moved upon his brother, and tears gushed out: and going into his chamber, he wept.
וַיְמַהֵ֣ר יוֹסֵ֗ף כִּֽי־נִכְמְר֤וּ רַחֲמָיו֙ אֶל־אָחִ֔יו וַיְבַקֵּ֖שׁ לִבְכּ֑וֹת וַיָּבֹ֥א הַחַ֖דְרָה וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ שָֽׁמָּה׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
However, the essence of creation took precedence: "his affection for his sibling surged within him, it is reported, and he was prepared to shed tears. He entered the inner chamber and wept there. After cleansing his face, he emerged."
Joseph's heart ached for his brother. He entered his dwelling, weeping, despite having prepared a joyful feast for his kin. But Joseph could not embrace him or ask him anything further; instead, he withdrew into his chamber and wept bitterly. The moment he laid eyes on his brother, memories of Jacob's venerable age flooded his mind, and tears filled his eyes as he exclaimed, "Blessed are those who gaze upon the sacred visage of your elder years, dear father! Woe is me, for all my reign and glory do not compare to the value of your venerable age, beloved father! I longed to hear from Benjamin whether you hold me in your heart and love me as I cherish you; thus, I schemed to bring my brother Benjamin along with me.
I could not trust what my brothers claimed about you—that they had a father and a younger brother—believing instead that envy might drive them to harm your cherished son Benjamin, just as they had intended to destroy me. Their actions would surely deepen your sorrow and lead your soul to anguish. They bore hatred toward us both, for Benjamin and I share the same mother. I understand, dear father, the depth of your grief for us; your sorrow for my brother Benjamin weighs heavily upon your old age. I too am distressed by your lamentation, as none of us are there to serve your elder years. Your previous tears for my loss were not enough, and I have only increased your mourning, dear father. I bear responsibility for your sorrow and lament, for I acted callously by bringing Benjamin here; yet it was the news of you that drove me to this, as I sought to confirm whether my father was indeed alive. Who will allow me once again to behold your sacred features and find fulfillment in witnessing your angelic countenance?
Joseph's emotional turmoil, heightened by seeing his brother whom he had not seen for so long, reached its peak. He realized he could no longer hold back his composure, and tears threatened to spill onto his previously calm face. To hide his discomfort, he quickly retreated to a private room, ostensibly for an urgent matter he had recalled, and there, away from others, he released his tears. Once composed, he washed his face to remove any trace of his sorrow and returned to his brothers, maintaining the same demeanor as before.
The narrative continues with Joseph hosting a meal for his brothers. After the meal, he instructed his brothers to fill their sacks with food, secretly placing the money they had used for purchase within the sacks, as well as a silver cup in Benjamin's sack, and then sent them on their way. As they departed, Joseph's steward, acting on his orders, caught up with them, charged them with stealing the cup, searched their belongings, discovered it with Benjamin, and brought them all back to Joseph. The brothers, returning to Joseph, fell to the ground before him. Judah stepped forward and declared, "Though we are innocent of stealing the cup, God is punishing us for our past wrongdoings; behold, we are now slaves to our master, along with the one in whose possession the cup was found." Joseph replied, "The one in whose possession the cup was found will be my slave, but you may go in peace to your father." Judah then approached Joseph and said, "We informed you previously that our father is elderly and loves this son more than the others; if he sees that this boy is not with us, he will die from grief. Furthermore, I have guaranteed the boy's safety to my father." The account of what ensued after Judah's plea continues the narrative being discussed.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS