Genesis 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.

Cross-reference

Genesis 50:17 Historical context

In Genesis 50:17, the brothers confess their sin, prompting Joseph's declaration that God turned their evil to good.

Genesis 37:18–20 Historical context

Genesis 37:18-20 shows the brothers plotting to kill Joseph, the specific 'harm' Joseph references in 50:20 that God overruled.

In Genesis 45:5-8, Joseph earlier tells his brothers that God sent him ahead to preserve life — the same divine purpose behind their evil intent.

Genesis 37:4 Historical context

Genesis 37:4 records the brothers' hatred of Joseph, providing the root of the evil intent that God later turned to good in 50:20.

Genesis 41:57 Historical context

In Genesis 41:57, the worldwide famine drives people to Egypt, fulfilling God's purpose to preserve life as Joseph declares here.

Genesis 47:25 Historical context

In Genesis 47:25, the Egyptians thank Joseph for saving their lives, illustrating the good God intended from his brothers' evil.

Psalm 105:16 Historical context

Psalm 105:16 attributes the famine directly to God — the very famine that set the stage for Joseph's family to come to Egypt.

Romans 8:28 Related theme

Romans 8:28 generalizes the truth that God works all things for good for those who love Him — the same principle Joseph experienced.

Acts 3:13-15 echoes Joseph's story: people delivered Jesus to death, but God raised him — evil intent turned to redemptive good.

Acts 2:23 Parallel

Acts 2:23 applies the same principle to Jesus' crucifixion — human evil carried out God's predetermined plan for salvation.

Isaiah 10:7 Parallel

Isaiah 10:7 shows Assyria's king intending destruction while God has a different purpose — a clear parallel to Joseph's brothers' evil intent vs God's good plan.

Psalm 105:17 describes Joseph's being sold as 'God sending a man ahead' — the same interpretation Joseph gives in Genesis 50:20.

In Proverbs 19:21, human plans are subordinate to God's purpose, directly echoing Joseph's observation that God's plan prevailed.

Acts 4:28 Parallel

In Acts 4:28, the same divine sovereignty is at work: human malice against Jesus fulfills God's predetermined plan, just as Joseph's brothers' evil served God's good purpose.

In Philemon 1:15, Paul applies the same principle: Onesimus’s departure was permitted by God to bring about a greater good, just as Joseph’s brothers’ evil was overruled for good.

Psalm 76:10 Related theme

Psalm 76:10 states that human wrath ultimately brings praise to God — a general principle echoed in Joseph's statement about God turning harm to good.

2 Samuel 16:10 Related theme

In 2 Samuel 16:10, David accepts Shimei's cursing as possibly from God, mirroring Joseph's view of divine sovereignty over evil.