Genesis50

After Jacob's death, Joseph oversaw his embalming and a seventy-day period of mourning in Egypt. Joseph then secured Pharaoh's permission to bury his father in the land of Canaan, fulfilling Jacob's dying wish. Following the burial, Joseph's brothers feared his retribution, but Joseph reassured them, explaining that God had intended their evil for good to preserve many lives. Joseph lived to be one hundred and ten years old, and before his death, he prophesied that God would bring Israel out of Egypt and commanded that his bones be carried with them.

Jacob's Embalming and Burial Preparation

1
Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him. ​
2
Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel. ​
3
Forty days were fulfilled for him, for that is how many the days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for him for seventy days. ​
4
When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to the house of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,
5
‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying. Bury me in my grave which I have dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come again.’” ​
6
Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.”
7
Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, all the elders of the land of Egypt, ​
8
all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen.
9
There went up with him both chariots and horsemen. It was a very great company.
10
They came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and there they lamented with a very great and severe lamentation. He mourned for his father seven days. ​
11
When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians.” Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.
12
His sons did to him just as he commanded them,
13
for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field, for a possession of a burial site, from Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre. ​
14
Joseph returned into Egypt—he, and his brothers, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.

Reconciliation and Joseph's Forgiveness

15
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all of the evil which we did to him.” ​
16
They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying,
17
‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. ​
18
His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
19
Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ​
20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. ​
21
Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph's Last Instructions and Death

22
Joseph lived in Egypt, he, and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred ten years.
23
Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.
24
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” ​
25
Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” ​
26
So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 50

Verse 1

Joseph’s immediate and intense grief (wept and kissed) highlights his deep filial devotion, even after years of separation and his high status in Egypt.

Verse 2

Embalming was a necessary Egyptian custom for preservation during the long procession to Canaan. Joseph utilized the resources and customs of his adopted land to honor his father.

Verse 3

The 40 days for embalming and 70 days of mourning reflect standard Egyptian royal funerary rites, demonstrating the immense respect shown to Jacob due to Joseph's status.

Verse 5

Jacob’s final oath regarding his burial underscores the centrality of the covenant land (Canaan) to the patriarchs, even while the family was residing safely in Egypt.

Verse 7

The procession included high-ranking Egyptian officials and elders, signifying the strategic importance of Joseph and serving as a major diplomatic event.

Verse 10

The mourning ritual at Atad was so profound that the local Canaanites named the place Abelmizraim ('Mourning of Egypt'). This location was likely east of the Jordan, a common staging area before crossing to the burial site.

Verse 13

Jacob was buried in the Cave of Machpelah, fulfilling the promise and joining Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah. This act reaffirmed the family's claim to the promised land.

Verse 15

The brothers' persistent fear shows that they believed Joseph's kindness was conditional upon Jacob’s life. Their guilt resurfaces immediately upon their father's death, fearing retribution.

Verse 17

The brothers appeal not just to kinship but to covenant, calling themselves 'servants of the God of thy father.' Joseph’s weeping demonstrates his genuine sorrow over their continued distress and lack of trust.

Verse 19

Joseph’s response is a profound theological statement, asserting that judgment and vengeance belong solely to God. He refuses to usurp divine authority or act as God’s avenger.

Verse 20

This verse is the theological climax of the Joseph narrative. It articulates the doctrine of divine sovereignty, where God orchestrates human evil for a greater redemptive purpose—in this case, the preservation of Israel and Egypt.

Verse 24

Joseph ensures the family’s future focus remains fixed on the covenant promise. By reminding them that God 'will surely visit you,' he points forward to the Exodus event.

Verse 25

Joseph’s command to carry his bones to Canaan mirrors Jacob’s request, making him a perpetual symbol of Israel's promised return and faithfulness to the covenant.

Verse 26

Joseph’s death at 110 years (an idealized Egyptian lifespan) and his embalming symbolize his complete integration into Egyptian high society, yet his request for burial in Canaan confirms his identity as a member of the covenant people.

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