Genesis 50:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This [is] a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which [is] beyond Jordan.

Complete Jewish Bible:

When the local inhabitants, the Kena'ani, saw the mourning on the floor of Atad they said, "How bitterly the Egyptians are mourning!"This is why the place was given the name Avel-Mitzrayim [mourning of Egypt], there beyond the Yarden.

Berean Standard Bible:

When the Canaanites of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn ceremony of mourning by the Egyptians.” Thus the place across the Jordan is called Abel-mizraim.

American Standard Version:

And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And when the inhabitants^{H3427} of the land^{H776}, the Canaanites^{H3669}, saw^{H7200} the mourning^{H60} in the floor^{H1637} of Atad^{H329}, they said^{H559}, This is a grievous^{H3515} mourning^{H60} to the Egyptians^{H4714}: wherefore the name of it^{H8034} was called^{H7121} Abelmizraim^{H67}, which is beyond^{H5676} Jordan^{H3383}.

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Commentary for Genesis 50:11

Genesis 50:11 is a verse from the final chapter of the Book of Genesis, which concludes the story of Joseph and his family. The historical context of this verse is set during the period when the sons of Jacob (Israel), particularly Joseph, are living in Egypt after Joseph has risen to a position of power in the Egyptian court.

The verse occurs during the mourning period for Jacob, who has died. Joseph and his brothers, along with a large company, are mourning for seven days at a place called the "threshing floor of Atad," which is located near the Jordan River. The Canaanites, who are the local inhabitants of the land where this mourning takes place, observe the intense grieving and refer to it as a "grievous mourning to the Egyptians," indicating that such public and elaborate mourning was notable to them and characteristic of Egyptian customs.

The themes reflected in this verse include:

1. **Cultural Observation and Interaction**: The Canaanites' comment indicates a recognition of cultural differences between the Egyptians and themselves. It also shows that the mourning practices of the Egyptians were distinctive and notable to outsiders.

2. **Mourning and Burial Practices**: The verse highlights the significance of mourning rituals in ancient societies, reflecting the importance of proper burial and the expression of grief in the cultural and religious life of the time.

3. **Naming and Memorialization**: The place is renamed "Abelmizraim," which means "meadow of Egypt," because of the association with the Egyptian mourning rites. This act of renaming serves as a memorial to the event and reflects the common practice of naming places based on significant events that occurred there.

4. **The Presence of the Israelites in Canaan**: Although the Israelites are not yet settled in the land of Canaan, this verse foreshadows their future presence there. It also sets the stage for the later conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, as narrated in the Book of Joshua.

5. **The Liminality of the Jordan**: The mention of the location "beyond Jordan" points to the Jordan River as a significant geographical and symbolic boundary. It is a liminal space, a threshold between the wilderness and the Promised Land, which will feature prominently in the narrative of the Israelites' entry into Canaan.

In summary, Genesis 50:11 captures a moment of cultural interaction and burial ritual among the Egyptians, Canaanites, and the family of Israel, while also serving as a narrative bridge to the future occupation of Canaan by the Israelites.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
2. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3669
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּנַעַנִי
   Transliteration: Kᵉnaʻanîy
   Pronunciation: ken-ah-an-ee'
   Description: patrial from כְּנַעַן; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing for their neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile caravans); Canaanite, merchant, trafficker.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
5. Strong's Number: H60
   There are 1725 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵבֶל
   Transliteration: ʼêbel
   Pronunciation: ay'-bel
   Description: from אָבַל; lamentation; mourning.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1637
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֹּרֶן
   Transliteration: gôren
   Pronunciation: go'-ren
   Description: from an unused root meaning to smooth; a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area; (barn, corn, threshing-) floor, (threshing-, void) place.
   
7. Strong's Number: H329
   There are 389 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָטָד
   Transliteration: ʼâṭâd
   Pronunciation: aw-tawd'
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to pierce or make fast; a thorn-tree (especially the buckthorn); Atad, bramble, thorn.
   
8. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3515
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבֵד
   Transliteration: kâbêd
   Pronunciation: kaw-bade'
   Description: from כָּבַד; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid); (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4714
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
    Transliteration: Mitsrayim
    Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
    Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8034
    There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֵׁם
    Transliteration: shêm
    Pronunciation: shame
    Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
    
12. Strong's Number: H7121
    There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָרָא
    Transliteration: qârâʼ
    Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
    Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
    
13. Strong's Number: H67
    There are 845 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָבֵל מִצְרַיִם
    Transliteration: ʼÂbêl Mitsrayim
    Pronunciation: aw-bale' mits-rah'-yim
    Description: from אָבֵל and מִצְרַיִם; meadow of Egypt; Abel-Mitsrajim, a place in Palestine; Abel-mizraim.
    
14. Strong's Number: H5676
    There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵבֶר
    Transliteration: ʻêber
    Pronunciation: ay'-ber
    Description: from עָבַר; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the Jordan; ususally meaning the east); [idiom] against, beyond, by, [idiom] from, over, passage, quarter, (other, this) side, straight.
    
15. Strong's Number: H3383
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יַרְדֵּן
    Transliteration: Yardên
    Pronunciation: yar-dane'
    Description: from יָרַד; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine; Jordan.