Joseph: A Pictorial
6. Joseph Reveals his Identity to his Brothers

In a very emotional scene (Genesis 45:1-3) Joseph reveals to his brothers who he is: their younger brother whom they sold to Egypt many years ago, and who is now the governor of Egypt.

It is a huge shock for the brothers. They would have expected anything but this!

The Hebrew text in the painting says, short and powerful: "I am Joseph" (Genesis 45:3). The figure looking at the scene from the right is the former "Joseph," the handsome boy who was sold as a slave years ago and whom they remember, and whom they assume dead. They had not recognized the Egyptian official in his foreign clothes as their lost brother.