Genesis 50:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →After Jacob dies, Joseph's brothers fear that Joseph will seek revenge for selling him into slavery.
The Context of Genesis 50:15
This occurs after the brothers and Joseph have returned to Egypt from Canaan.
What Does Genesis 50:15 Mean?
Jacob's death removes a restraint on Joseph's possible anger. The brothers had feared Jacob's judgment and protection; now with him gone, they imagine Joseph might unleash the resentment they believe he must have harbored for decades. Their words reveal their guilt has never fully healed.
This fear shows that forgiveness, even after years of kindness from Joseph, had not fully resolved the brothers' shame and anxiety. The trauma of what they had done—selling their own brother—had left a wound that Jacob's presence seemed to have kept covered.
Genesis 50:15 in the Original Language
requite (שׁלם), 'repay/reward' — they fear Joseph will give them the recompense they deserve for their cruelty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 50:15
What does Genesis 50:15 mean?
After Jacob dies, Joseph's brothers fear that Joseph will seek revenge for selling him into slavery.
What is the context of Genesis 50:15?
This occurs after the brothers and Joseph have returned to Egypt from Canaan.