Genesis 45:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He embraced Benjamin, shedding tears, for they shared the same mother, and Benjamin also wept in his embrace.

The mystery is clear in that, just as Joseph, after fulfilling all the commandments, embraces his brother Benjamin and falls upon his neck, so too, after the completion of the Gospel, Christ wraps Paul in His loving arms of mercy. This is so that, burdened by his inner conviction, he may be raised up to heaven, symbolically by the neck.

Although Joseph was pleased to see all his brothers, his joy was particularly deep for Benjamin. He embraced Benjamin warmly, while he merely kissed the other brothers. Joseph also demonstrated his special regard for Benjamin, his half-brother, during their earlier meal by commanding that Benjamin receive a portion five times the size of those given to the others (Genesis 43:34). - ‘And after these things his brethren spoke unto him.’ Until this moment, Joseph’s brothers had remained silent, their lips sealed in fear and astonishment. It was only when it became clear that there was no cause for alarm that they began to engage in brotherly dialogue.