Genesis 47:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he took some of his brothers, even five men, and presented them to Pharaoh.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he took some of his brothers, even five men, and presented them to Pharaoh.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And from among his brethren he took five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he took five of his brothers to Pharaoh.
Webster's Revision
And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them to Pharaoh.
World English Bible
From among his brothers he took five men, and presented them to Pharaoh.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And from among his brethren he took five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
Clarke's Genesis 47:2 Bible Commentary
He took some of his brethren - There is something very strange in the original; literally translated it signifies "from the end or extremity (מקצה miktseh) of his brethren he took five men." This has been understood six different ways. 1. Joseph took five of his brethren that came first to hand - at random, without design or choice. 2. Joseph took five of the meanest-looking of his brethren to present before Pharaoh, fearing if he had taken the sightliest that Pharaoh would detain them for his service, whereby their religion and morals might be corrupted. 3. Joseph took five of the best made and finest-looking of his brethren, and presented them before Pharaoh, wishing to impress his mind with a favorable opinion of the family which he had just now brought into Egypt, and to do himself honor. 4. Joseph took five of the youngest of his brethren. 5. He took five of the eldest of his brethren. 6. He took five from the extremity or end of his brethren, i. e., some of the eldest and some of the youngest, viz., Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, and Benjamin - Rab. Solomon. It is certain that in Judges 18:2, the word may be understood as implying dignity, valor, excellence, and pre-eminence: And the children of Dan sent of their family Five men מקצותם miktsotham, not from their coasts, but of the most eminent or excellent they had; and it is probable they might have had their eye on what Joseph did here when they made their choice, choosing the same number, five, and of their principal men, as did Joseph, because the mission was important, to go and search out the land. But the word may be understood simply as signifying some; out of the whole of his brethren he took only five men, etc.