As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph acknowledges his brothers' evil intentions, but emphasizes that God had a different, greater purpose. The subtle point here is that the same action, the selling of Joseph, was simultaneously sinful in its human cause and divinely orchestrated for good.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
English Standard Version (ESV)
With their father Jacob now deceased, Joseph's brothers, consumed by fear, believe Joseph will finally enact revenge for their past cruelty. Joseph, deeply moved by their fear and sorrow, reassures them of his forgiveness and care. He reveals that their wicked intentions, though real, were ultimately overshadowed by God's divine plan to preserve many lives, including their own.
Ever felt like the world was against you? Joseph did. His brothers' betrayal was real, but his response reveals a profound truth about God's involvement in our lives.
Joseph confronts his brothers, acknowledging their malicious intent: "As for you, ye thought evil against me." This is a direct naming of their sin. However, he immediately pivots, declaring, "but God meant it unto good." This isn't a dismissal of their sin, but a powerful assertion that God's sovereignty can override human wickedness. God's purpose isn't to justify evil, but to bring about a greater good through it. The same action, seen from human eyes, is evil; seen from God's perspective, it's part of a redemptive plan.
Why would God allow such terrible things to happen? Joseph reveals the ultimate aim: not just survival, but the preservation of 'much people.'
The 'good' God intended was not abstract or minor. It was concrete and life-saving. Joseph explicitly states the purpose: 'to bring it about... to save much people alive.' This highlights God's providential hand guiding events to preserve not only his own family but also the wider population of Egypt (and potentially beyond) from the devastating famine. This wasn't a passive observation by God; it was an active orchestration. His plan unfolded through the suffering, ultimately leading to widespread preservation. This shows God's deep care not just for individuals, but for communities.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
tob · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
That which is morally excellent, beneficial, or in accordance with the will and character of God. It reflects His nature and His redemptive purposes in history.
This verse captures the profound realization at the end of Joseph's life, looking back on decades of hardship and triumph. It highlights a crucial moment after Jacob's death, where Joseph consolidates his father's family under his protective care, articulating a core biblical theme: God's ability to redeem human evil for His redemptive purposes.
c. 1750 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Joseph's brothers, out of jealousy, sell him to traders heading to Egypt, an event that sets in motion the entire narrative.
c. 1740 BC
Joseph rises to power in Egypt
After surviving betrayal and imprisonment, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is appointed second-in-command over all Egypt, tasked with managing a coming famine.
c. 1730 BC
Jacob's family moves to Egypt
Drawn by Joseph's position and facing famine in Canaan, Jacob and his entire family migrate to Egypt, settling in the region of Goshen.
c. 1715 BC— this verse
Death of Jacob
Jacob's death prompts his sons to fear Joseph's revenge. They send a message pleading for forgiveness, and Joseph, deeply moved, assures them of his continued care and protection.
c. 1715 BC
Joseph reassures his brothers
In this pivotal moment, Joseph explicitly states that while his brothers intended evil, God sovereignly turned their actions for good, preserving many lives, including their own.
c. 1715 BC
Burial of Jacob in Canaan
Joseph leads a grand procession to Canaan for Jacob's burial, demonstrating his continuing respect for his father and the land of promise, before returning to Egypt.
c. 1605 BC
Death of Joseph
Joseph lives to a great age, seeing his descendants flourish. Before his death, he makes his brothers swear to carry his bones out of Egypt when God leads them back to Canaan.
This passage echoes Joseph's sentiment, stating that God works all things for good for those who love Him, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly negative, much like Joseph's betrayal leading to his family's survival.
Job 42:2Similar to Joseph's perspective, Job acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty and power, recognizing that 'no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.' This reinforces the idea that human intentions, even wicked ones, ultimately serve God's greater plan.
Acts 2:23This verse describes the crucifixion of Jesus, where the accusers meant evil, but God's 'definite plan and foreknowledge' ordained it for good – the salvation of humanity. This parallels Joseph's situation where a wicked act led to a greater good.
Philippians 1:12Paul speaks of how the 'advancement of the gospel' came about even through his imprisonment, which was intended to harm him. This shows a similar principle where circumstances meant for ill are turned by God for a positive outcome, just as Joseph's hardship led to the preservation of many lives.
calvinGenesis 50:1-26: "And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him."
- Et viderunt habitatores terrae Chenaaneaei luctum in area Atad, et dixerunt, Luctus gravis est iste Aegyptiis: idcirco vocatum fuit nomen ejus Abel -- Misraim, (id est luctus Aegyptorum,) qui est trand Jordanem.
12 And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:
- Fecerunt ergo filii ejus ei sic, quemadmodum praeceperat eis.
13 For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and bu…
bensonGenesis 50:20: "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
Genesis 50:20-21. Ye thought evil, but God meant it unto good — In order to the making Joseph a greater blessing to his family than otherwise he could have been. Fear not, I will nourish you — See what an excellent spirit Joseph was of, and learn of him to render good for evil. He did not tell them they were upon their good behaviour, and he wo…
Joseph acknowledges his brothers' evil intentions, but emphasizes that God had a different, greater purpose. The subtle point here is that the same action, the selling of Joseph, was simultaneously sinful in its human cause and divinely orchestrated for good.
With their father Jacob now deceased, Joseph's brothers, consumed by fear, believe Joseph will finally enact revenge for their past cruelty. Joseph, deeply moved by their fear and sorrow, reassures them of his forgiveness and care. He reveals that their wicked intentions, though real, were ultimately overshadowed by God's divine plan to preserve many lives, including their own.
With their father Jacob now deceased, Joseph's brothers, consumed by fear, believe Joseph will finally enact revenge for their past cruelty. Joseph, deeply moved by their fear and sorrow, reassures them of his forgiveness and care. He reveals that their wicked intentions, though real, were ultimately overshadowed by God's divine plan to preserve many lives, including their own.
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." — Joseph acknowledges his brothers' evil intentions, but emphasizes that God had a different, greater purpose. The subtle point here is that the same action, the selling of Joseph, was simultaneously…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026