From the moment that Yosef revealed himself to his brothers, he had been carefully preparing for the moment they would meet with Pharaoh. Despite Yosef’s apparent close relationship with the monarch, he still realized that he must be delicate when making requests on behalf of his family. This is yet another connection with the Purim story: Esther also had to be cautious in how she approached her husband, the king, to plead for her people’s lives. In Genesis 47, Yosef employs a curious and unexplained strategy. The Torah states:
“And from among his brothers he took five men, and presented them before Pharaoh.”
וּמִקְצֵה אֶחָיו לָקַח חֲמִשָּׁה אֲנָשִׁים; וַיַּצִּגֵם לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה׃
(Genesis 47:2) [mechon-mamre.org]
Standing before Pharaoh, Yosef does not bring his entire family. But why only five brothers? Rashi explains that Yosef selected the weakest of his brothers to present before Pharaoh, aiming to show that they were not a threat and thus avoid any suspicion or fear from the Egyptian ruler. In contrast, Radak notes that some opinions suggest Yosef brought the strongest brothers instead, though he does not elaborate on the reasoning. Perhaps Yosef sought to impress Pharaoh, demonstrating that his family was capable and not a burden. Sforno offers a more pragmatic view, suggesting that Yosef brought the brothers simply to confirm their occupation as shepherds, which was relevant to their request to settle in Goshen. He does not address why only five were chosen, but it’s possible Yosef felt that presenting all eleven would be overwhelming or unnecessary.
This moment also foreshadows a later development in the Book of Exodus, where Pharaoh expresses concern that the Israelites have become too numerous and powerful, leading to their enslavement. This retrospective lens may lend credence to Rashi’s interpretation: Yosef, aware of the potential for political suspicion, strategically chose to present the least imposing of his brothers to mitigate any perception of threat. The verse, brief as it is, opens a window into Yosef’s diplomatic acumen and the delicate balance he had to maintain between familial loyalty and political prudence.
