The Meaning of Genesis 45:8 Explained

Genesis 45:8

KJV: So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

YLT: and now, ye -- ye have not sent me hither, but God, and He doth set me for a father to Pharaoh, and for lord to all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Darby: And now it was not you that sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and governor over all the land of Egypt.

ASV: So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So now [it was] not you [that] sent  me hither, but God:  and he hath made  me a father  to Pharaoh,  and lord  of all his house,  and a ruler  throughout all the land  of Egypt. 

What does Genesis 45:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 45:1-15 - Joseph Makes Himself Known To His Brothers
It may be that we have here an exact representation of a scene which shall be transacted some day, when our Lord makes Himself known to His brethren, the Jews. The Apostle Paul tells us that ultimately all Israel shall be saved; and may not this be brought about, when He says to them, "I am Jesus, your brother, whom ye delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate"? Was not Joseph's wife rejoiced by his joy, and will not the Church of the redeemed be glad when that great reconciliation takes effect? What a beautiful interpretation Joseph put on their act of treachery-"God did send me before you." Let us always trace God's plan in the malevolence and opposition of men. They could have no power at all, unless it was given them from above. Joseph supplied all their needs-wagons to carry, food to nourish, raiment to clothe, and greetings to welcome! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 45

1  Joseph makes himself known to his brothers
5  He comforts them in God's providence
9  He sends for his father
16  Pharaoh confirms it
21  Joseph furnishes then for their journey
25  Jacob is revived with the news

What do the individual words in Genesis 45:8 mean?

So now not you sent me here but God and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and a ruler over all the land of Egypt
וְעַתָּ֗ה לֹֽא־ אַתֶּ֞ם שְׁלַחְתֶּ֤ם אֹתִי֙ הֵ֔נָּה כִּ֖י הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיְשִׂימֵ֨נִֽי לְאָ֜ב לְפַרְעֹ֗ה וּלְאָדוֹן֙ לְכָל־ בֵּית֔וֹ וּמֹשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל־ אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם

וְעַתָּ֗ה  So  now 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
שְׁלַחְתֶּ֤ם  sent 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
אֹתִי֙  me 
Parse: Direct object marker, first person common singular
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הֵ֔נָּה  here 
Parse: Adverb
Root: הֵנָּה  
Sense: here, there, now, hither.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים  God 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
וַיְשִׂימֵ֨נִֽי  and  He  has  made  me 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
לְאָ֜ב  a  father 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
לְפַרְעֹ֗ה  to  Pharaoh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: פַּרְעֹה  
Sense: the common title of the king of Egypt.
וּלְאָדוֹן֙  and  lord 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
לְכָל־  of  all 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
בֵּית֔וֹ  his  house 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
וּמֹשֵׁ֖ל  and  a  ruler 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: מָשַׁל  
Sense: to rule, have dominion, reign.
בְּכָל־  over  all 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
אֶ֥רֶץ  the  land 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
מִצְרָֽיִם  of  Egypt 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.