Genesis 50:15
“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.””
What does Genesis 50:15 mean?
Joseph's brothers are gripped by fear after their father Jacob dies. Years earlier, they had sold Joseph into slavery out of jealousy, and though they've been reconciled with him in Egypt, they're suddenly terrified that Joseph was only treating them kindly because their father was still alive. Now they imagine Joseph will exact revenge for the betrayal and suffering he endured. What makes this moment poignant is that the brothers still don't fully trust Joseph's forgiveness, even after years of evidence. Their fear reveals how guilt can linger and distort our thinking, making us assume the worst about someone's intentions. It's a very human response, especially when we've hurt someone deeply and can't quite believe they've truly let it go. This becomes a turning point where Joseph gets the opportunity to prove once more that his forgiveness is genuine, not circumstantial.