THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Observe the deep apprehension that gripped Joseph's brothers and the turmoil that troubled their hearts.
Genesis 50:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Now he being dead, his brethren were afraid, and talked one with another: Lest perhaps he should remember the wrong he suffered, and requite us all the evil that we did to him.
וַיִּרְא֤וּ אֲחֵֽי־יוֹסֵף֙ כִּי־מֵ֣ת אֲבִיהֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ ל֥וּ יִשְׂטְמֵ֖נוּ יוֹסֵ֑ף וְהָשֵׁ֤ב יָשִׁיב֙ לָ֔נוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָ֣רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּמַ֖לְנוּ אֹתֽוֹ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Ephraem the Syrian
Afterward, Joseph and those accompanying him returned to Egypt. The brothers felt fear towards Joseph...
Vissarion (Nechaev)
Upon Joseph and his brothers' return to Egypt, they were filled with apprehension for their well-being. They concluded that during their father Jacob's lifetime, Joseph had shown them mercy out of his deep affection for him. However, with Jacob's passing, they felt utterly forsaken, lacking any assurance of Joseph's previous grace. They recognized that there was no longer anyone to restrain Joseph should he choose to repay them for their wrongdoing.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Prov 28:1The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
- Gen 27:41Esau therefore always hated Jacob, for the blessing wherewith his father had blessed him; and he said in his heart: The days will come of the mourning for my father, and I will kill my brother Jacob.
- Gen 27:42These things were told to Rebecca: and she sent and called Jacob, her son, and said to him: Behold Esau, thy brother, threateneth to kill thee.
- Lev 26:36And as to them that shall remain of you I will send fear in their hearts in the countries of their enemies. The sound of a flying leaf shall terrify them: and they shall flee as it were from the sword. They shall fall, when no man pursueth them.
- Ps 53 (52):5
- Ps 14 (13):5
- Job 15:21The sound of dread is always in his ears: and when there is peace, he always suspecteth treason.
- Job 15:22He believeth not that he may return from darkness to light, looking round about for the sword on every side.