Genesis 50:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:

Complete Jewish Bible:

His sons did to him as he had ordered them to do -

Berean Standard Bible:

So Jacob’s sons did as he had charged them.

American Standard Version:

And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And his sons{H1121} did{H6213} unto him according as he commanded{H6680} them:

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 49:29

  • And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that [is] in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

Genesis 49:32

  • The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.

Acts 7:16

  • And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [the father] of Sychem.

Exodus 20:12

  • ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Genesis 47:29

  • And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

Genesis 47:31

  • And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.

Ephesians 6:1

  • ¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

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Commentary for Genesis 50:12

**Themes:**
- **Fulfillment of Vows and Promises:** The verse reflects the theme of honoring commitments, as Joseph's brothers carry out his final wishes, demonstrating loyalty and integrity.
- **Family Dynamics and Reconciliation:** It illustrates the restoration of Joseph's relationship with his brothers, who are now united in honoring their father's wishes, despite their past conflicts.
- **Respect for the Dead and Burial Customs:** The verse underscores the importance of respecting the deceased and adhering to cultural and familial burial practices, which were significant in ancient times.

**Historical Context:**
Genesis 50:12 is set at the end of the story of Joseph and his family in Egypt. Jacob (Israel), Joseph's father, has died, and Joseph is ensuring that his father's body is embalmed and taken back to Canaan for burial in the family tomb at Machpelah, as per Jacob's specific instructions (Genesis 47:29-31, 49:29-32). This event occurs during the period when Joseph and his family are living in Egypt, where Joseph has risen to a position of great power.

The historical context includes the following elements:
- **The Patriarchal Period:** This is the era of the patriarchs, where the lives and interactions of the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are central to the narrative.
- **Egyptian Influence:** The practice of embalming reflects Egyptian customs, indicating the cultural influence on the family of Jacob during their time in Egypt.
- **Covenantal Significance:** The return to Canaan to bury Jacob is a symbolic act that reaffirms the family's connection to the Promised Land, a central theme in the book of Genesis.

This verse is part of the closure of the book of Genesis, tying up the narrative of Joseph and setting the stage for the subsequent books of the Bible, which will deal with the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and their eventual exodus under the leadership of Moses.

*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: H1121
    There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּן
    Transliteration: bên
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
  2. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
  3. Strong's Number: H6680
    There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָוָה
    Transliteration: tsâvâh
    Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
    Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.