Judah approaches Joseph and delivers an impassioned plea, asking that Benjamin, who was framed for having stolen Joseph’s chalice, be allowed to return to their aged father. Judah offers himself in place of his youngest half-brother. At this point Joseph can no longer contain himself and he reveals his true identity to his brothers. Joseph reassures them that their role in his disappearance was God’s will: it has allowed him to save Egypt from starvation during the famine which will continue for another five years. It will also allow Joseph to bring their entire family from Canaan to Egypt where they will have sufficient food. The brothers embrace; all is forgiven.

Joseph lavishes gifts upon his brothers and sends wagons to convey Jacob and the Israelite household to Egypt. On the way down to Egypt Jacob stops at Be’er Sheva, where God assures him that his descendants will return to Canaan.

The reunion between father and son is quite emotional. Joseph presents his father and several of his brothers to Pharaoh, who extends an invitation to them to settle in Goshen.

The famine becomes more and more severe. When the people have no more money with which to buy food, they exchange their cattle and their land for provisions. Many move from the countryside to the city to be close to the food storage and distribution centers. Those who remain on the land are permitted to till it as long as they remit one-fifth of their produce to Pharaoh’s treasury. The Israelites, living apart from the Egyptians, prosper in Goshen.