This was not really the end of this, because when Jacob died the brothers still were apprehensive because they felt that perhaps Joseph allowed them to be alive only because Jacob was alive, and out of deference to their father he did not hurt the family. They were as guilty as sin, and many years after, their consciences were still smiting them, because Joseph was there on the throne, and even though he did not say anything, he was condemning them simply by the fact that he was there. Their consciences were smitten. They felt they needed to be reassured once again.
