Genesis 50:17
“‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.”
What does Genesis 50:17 mean?
Joseph's brothers are asking him to forgive them for selling him into slavery years earlier, using their father Jacob as leverage in their appeal. They're acknowledging what they did was wrong and asking for mercy, even though Joseph is now powerful enough to punish them if he wanted to. When Joseph hears their request, he weeps, which shows how deeply the old wound still affects him, even as he's being asked to let it go. His tears suggest that forgiveness isn't always a quick or simple thing, even when we know it's the right choice.