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When Joseph his brethren beheld Joseph made known to his Brethren

John Newton printed it in 1779 in Olney Hymns, Book I, no. 12, under Genesis 45:3–4.

WRITTEN BY

John Newton 1725–1807

PRINTED

1779 Olney Hymns · no. 12

METRE

8.8.8.8a 7 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Genesis 45:3–4 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 7 stanzas as Newton printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.

SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes

AMONG THE SCRIPTURES

The stanzas at the centre; around them, every book its heading and its echoes come from, Old Testament on the left and New on the right. Choose a stanza or a book.

a line echoes this verse its heading or an echo comes from here

STANZA I

When Joseph his brethren beheld

When Joseph his brethren beheld,

Afflicted and trembling with fear;

His heart with compassion was filled,

From weeping he could not forbear.

Awhile his behavior was rough,

To bring their past sin to their mind;

But when they were humbled enough,

He hasted to show himself kind.

Where Newton found it

Newton printed the hymn under Genesis 45:3–4. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. 4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! GENESIS 45:3–4 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ GENESIS 45

How little they thought it was he, Whom they had ill treated and sold! How great their confusion must be, As soon as his name he had told! “I am Joseph, your brother, he said, And still to my heart you are dear, You sold me, and thought I was dead, But God, for your sakes, sent me here.” STANZA II

Its place in the book

Book I of Olney Hymns walks through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, one hymn per passage: 141 hymns. This is number 12. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 12 · JOHN NEWTON · THIS HYMN When Joseph his brethren beheld

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