Genesis 50:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Fear deeply disturbed their hearts, and burdened by guilt, they felt lost. Consequently, as they witnessed their father’s demise, they became anxious that Joseph, in light of their past wrongs, might exact the punishment they feared they deserved. Thus, they approached him and stated, “Your father made an oath before he passed away, saying...”

Convinced that Joseph wanted to spare his elderly father from the turmoil of retribution and that he was merely postponing his vengeance until an opportune moment, they approached him with a plea. They said, "Father, before his passing, he instructed, 'Tell Joseph, "Pardon them for their transgressions, overlook their wrongdoings; though they have wronged you, forgive them their iniquity for the sake of the God of your ancestors."' Upon hearing these words, Joseph was deeply moved and wept.

They sent someone to inform Joseph. Initially, the brothers employed an intermediary to ascertain whether the fear they were conveying would provoke Joseph's anger.

Joseph's brothers, in their plea for him to ‘forgive their iniquity,’ meaning to refrain from exacting vengeance for their wrongdoing, highlight two important points: first, Jacob had instructed them before his passing to request Joseph’s pardon on their behalf (although this detail is absent from Moses's earlier account); second, they identified themselves as ‘servants of the God of their father,’ signifying that they revered the same God as Joseph’s father did. Consequently, Joseph had reason to be compassionate towards them, both out of respect for his father's wishes and because they were among the few who upheld the reverence of the true God in a world where such devotion was rare. Joseph's tears during his brothers’ heartfelt appeal revealed his deep emotions and indicated that he bore no ill will towards them.