So do not fear: see verse 19. Joseph has explained that God has overruled their misconduct. Revised Standard Version marks this as a consequence.

I will provide for you and your little ones: see 45.11.

Reassured translates a verb used in 37.35, where Jacob’s sons attempted to console him when he grieved for Joseph. It is used in the sense of giving assurance or encouragement to a person who is hard pressed or uncertain. This is sometimes expressed figuratively; for example, “he warmed their stomachs” or “he gave them back their hearts.” In more literal renderings many translations say “he spoke kindly to them” or “he spoke good words to them.”

Comforted them is literally “he spoke to their hearts.” This idiom was used in 34.3, where it is said that Shechem loved Dinah “and spoke tenderly to her.” See there for translation. Common expressions of comforted them are “made them feel good again” and “made their insides quiet [or, peaceful].”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .