Genesis 50:1-14

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Chapter 50

Here is, I. The preparation for Jacob’s funeral (v. 1–6). II. The funeral itself (v. 7–14)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 50

1Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him and kissed him.

2Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.

3Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

4When the days of mourning for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your sight, please speak to Pharaoh, saying,

5‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am about to die; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’ ”

6Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear.”

7So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt,

8and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father’s household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen.

9There also went up with him both chariots and horsemen; and it was a very great company.

10When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he observed seven days mourning for his father.

11Now when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning for the Egyptians.” Therefore it was named Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

12Thus his sons did for him as he had charged them;

13for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field for a burial site from Ephron the Hittite.

14After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers, and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

Summary:

Joseph weeps over his father’s death.

He fell on Jacob’s face and kissed him.

Joseph commanded his servants to embalm Jacob.

40 days were required for embalming and the Egyptians mourned for Jacob 70 days.

When the time of mourning had passed, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s household requesting that he be granted permission to bury his father in Canaan.

Pharaoh told Joseph to go and bury his father.

Joseph went up to bury his father and with him went all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt. So too went all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house.

The only ones left behind were their little ones and their flocks and herds.

Also, chariots and horsemen went up with them.

It was a very great gathering.

They came to the threshing floor of Atad and mourned there.

Joseph mourned 7 days for his father.

When the Canaanites saw the mourning at the threshing floor they named the place Abel Mizraim, for it was a deep and grievous mourning by the Egyptians.

Jacob’s sons did for him just as he had commanded.

They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah.

After Jacob had been buried in Canaan, Joseph returned to Egypt with all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

Key Points/Application:

The Lord’s Provision

The Lord is certainly at work in this story. Not only does Joseph’s family mourn the death of Jacob but so too do the Egyptians. Also, Pharaoh grants Joseph permission to bury his father in Canaan. Not only did Joseph and his family travel to Canaan to bury Jacob, but so too did all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of Pharaoh’s house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt. This reveals the immense status and favor that Joseph had among Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Only God could provide in this way; taking a slave and elevating him to second in command of all of Egypt, finding favor among all of the natives.

In addition, the Israelites left their little ones behind in the land of Goshen...

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 50

only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen.

This shows the immense trust that they had in the Egyptians, leaving their children behind. Still further, upon reaching the threshing floor in Atad, the Egyptians mourned greatly for Jacob.

All of this to demonstrate the Lord’s care/faithfulness in providing for His people among a foreign nation. The Lord has and will be faithful. The Lord will have His way among men.

The Sons’ Obedience

Verse 12 makes it clear that Jacob’s sons did exactly what their father had commanded them to do...

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 50

Thus his sons did for him as he had charged them

This honorable act of obedience by the sons of Jacob demonstrates a godly approach to authority. Like the sons of Israel we too are to obey the authorities in our lives, doing exactly as they say (unless what they request in unethical/sinful). Especially, we are to obey a parent’s authority.