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Genesis 50:15 - Brothers fear Yosef's revenge?

Genesis 50:15 - בראשית 50:15

Hebrew Text

וַיִּרְאוּ אֲחֵי־יוֹסֵף כִּי־מֵת אֲבִיהֶם וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוּ יִשְׂטְמֵנוּ יוֹסֵף וְהָשֵׁב יָשִׁיב לָנוּ אֵת כָּל־הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר גָּמַלְנוּ אֹתוֹ׃

English Translation

And when Yosef’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, What if Yosef will hate us, and will pay us back the evil which we did to him.

Transliteration

Vayir'u achei-Yosef ki-met avihem vayomru lu yistmenu Yosef vehashev yashiv lanu et kol-hara'ah asher gamalnu oto.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּרְא֤וּ אֲחֵֽי־יוֹסֵף֙ כִּי־מֵ֣ת אֲבִיהֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ ל֥וּ יִשְׂטְמֵ֖נוּ יוֹסֵ֑ף וְהָשֵׁ֤ב יָשִׁיב֙ לָ֔נוּ אֵ֚ת כׇּל־הָ֣רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּמַ֖לְנוּ אֹתֽוֹ׃
וַיִּרְא֤וּ אֲחֵֽי־יוֹסֵף֙ כִּי־מֵ֣ת אֲבִיהֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ ל֥וּ יִשְׂטְמֵ֖נוּ יוֹסֵ֑ף וְהָשֵׁ֤ב יָשִׁיב֙ לָ֔נוּ אֵ֚ת כׇּל־הָ֣רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּמַ֖לְנוּ אֹתֽוֹ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Brothers' Fear

The verse (Bereishit 50:15) describes the brothers' concern that Yosef might seek revenge after their father Yaakov's passing. Rashi explains that the brothers assumed Yosef had only restrained himself from retaliation out of respect for their father. Now that Yaakov was no longer alive, they feared Yosef would act on any lingering resentment.

Yosef's Righteousness

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 100:8) highlights Yosef's exceptional character. Despite having the power to take revenge, he consistently demonstrated forgiveness. The brothers' fear stemmed from their own guilt, not from any indication that Yosef harbored ill will. Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that Yosef had already reassured them of his forgiveness (Bereishit 45:5-8), but their lingering guilt caused them to doubt his sincerity.

The Psychological Dimension

The Kli Yakar offers a psychological insight: the brothers projected their own feelings onto Yosef. Since they had acted with hostility in the past, they assumed Yosef must feel similarly. This teaches that people often judge others based on their own inclinations, as Chazal say in Masechet Kiddushin 70a: "One who disqualifies others does so with their own flaws."

Halachic Perspective on Forgiveness

The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 2:10) discusses the obligation to forgive those who sincerely repent. Yosef's brothers had already repented for their actions, as evidenced by their remorse and changed behavior. According to halacha, Yosef was required to forgive them—a duty he fulfilled completely, as the subsequent verses show.

Lessons in Trust and Repentance

  • The episode underscores the importance of trusting in sincere repentance—both in seeking forgiveness and in granting it.
  • It also warns against allowing guilt to distort one's perception of others' intentions, as the brothers initially did with Yosef.
  • The Sforno notes that Yosef's response (in the following verses) reaffirms that true tzaddikim do not hold grudges, even when given the opportunity to retaliate.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were Yosef's brothers afraid after their father Yaakov died?
A: Yosef's brothers feared that after their father Yaakov's passing, Yosef might take revenge for the wrong they had done to him by selling him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). They worried that Yosef had only restrained himself out of respect for their father (Rashi on Genesis 50:15).
Q: How did Yosef respond to his brothers' fears?
A: Yosef reassured his brothers, telling them not to fear and that he would provide for them and their children. He emphasized that although they intended harm, Hashem had orchestrated events for the good to save many lives (Genesis 50:19-21). This shows Yosef's greatness in forgiving and recognizing Divine providence (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuva 2:10).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's behavior toward his brothers?
A: Yosef teaches us the importance of forgiveness and seeing Hashem's hand in all events. Despite suffering greatly due to his brothers' actions, he bore no grudge and understood everything was part of a greater plan (Midrash Bereishit Rabbah 100:8). This exemplifies the Torah ideal of overcoming personal grievances.
Q: Why is this story important in the Torah?
A: This conclusion to Yosef's story demonstrates the fulfillment of his dreams and Hashem's promise to Avraham that his descendants would endure hardship but ultimately be redeemed (Genesis 15:13-14). It also establishes the foundation for Bnei Yisrael's descent to Egypt, leading to the eventual Exodus (Sforno on Genesis 50:15).
Q: How does Yosef's forgiveness apply to our lives today?
A: Yosef's example teaches us to avoid holding grudges, to recognize that challenges may serve a greater purpose, and to emulate Hashem's attribute of forgiving those who wrong us when they sincerely repent (Talmud, Yoma 22b). This is especially relevant during the Ten Days of Repentance and in all interpersonal relationships.