Genesis 50:10

KJV

And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they came {H935} to the threshingfloor {H1637} of Atad {H329}, which is beyond {H5676} Jordan {H3383}, and there they mourned {H5594} with a great {H1419} and very {H3966} sore {H3515} lamentation {H4553}: and he made {H6213} a mourning {H60} for his father {H1} seven {H7651} days {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they arrived at the threshing-floor in Atad, beyond the Yarden, they raised a loud and bitter lamentation, mourning for his father seven days.

Berean Standard Bible

When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days.

American Standard Version

And they came to the threshing-floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and there they lamented with a very great and sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 50:10 meticulously details a significant pause in Jacob's funeral procession, where Joseph, his family, and a large Egyptian entourage halted at the "threshingfloor of Atad" located beyond the Jordan River. This site became the scene of a profound and intense seven-day period of lamentation, a public and culturally prescribed expression of deep grief and honor for the deceased patriarch, Jacob.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 50:10 is situated at the climax of the book of Genesis, immediately following Jacob's death in Egypt and Joseph's poignant request to Pharaoh for permission to bury his father in Canaan. The preceding verses ([Genesis 50:1-9](/genesis/50-1-9 "Genesis 50:1-9 - Jacob's Death and Joseph's Request")) describe the embalming of Jacob, the period of mourning in Egypt, and the formation of the grand funeral procession. This verse marks a crucial geographical and emotional waypoint on the journey from Egypt to the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron, fulfilling Jacob's dying wish recorded in [Genesis 49:29-30](/genesis/49-29-30 "Genesis 49:29-30 - Jacob's Instructions for Burial"). The subsequent verse ([Genesis 50:11](/genesis/50-11 "Genesis 50:11 - The Naming of Abel-mizraim")) reveals the local impact of this mourning, leading to the naming of the site as "Abel-mizraim," underscoring the magnitude of the event.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Funerary practices in the ancient Near East were elaborate and deeply significant. Embalming, as performed on Jacob (and Joseph later), was an Egyptian custom, reflecting Joseph's assimilation and high status. Public mourning, characterized by loud wailing, tearing of clothes, and specific durations, was common across the region, serving as a communal acknowledgment of loss and a demonstration of respect for the deceased. A "threshingfloor" was typically an open, flat, elevated area, suitable for winnowing grain, but also large enough to accommodate a significant gathering, making it a practical and visible location for a public display of grief. The journey from Egypt to Canaan was substantial, requiring careful planning and provision for such a large retinue, which included chariots and horsemen, indicative of Joseph's powerful position and the honor bestowed upon Jacob.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. It highlights **Filial Piety**, as Joseph meticulously orchestrates and participates in this elaborate funeral, fulfilling his father's final wishes and demonstrating profound love and respect. The journey to Canaan and the burial there underscore the theme of **Covenant Fulfillment**, as Jacob is laid to rest in the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reaffirming God's faithfulness to His word despite the family's long sojourn in Egypt. Furthermore, the intense and public mourning speaks to the profound human experience of **Grief and Loss**, acknowledging its legitimacy and communal expression. The entire narrative, from Jacob's death to his burial, also subtly reinforces the theme of **Divine Providence**, as God's guiding hand is evident in bringing the patriarch to his final resting place in the land of promise, even through seemingly secular arrangements.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 50:10](/genesis/50-10 "Genesis 50:10 - The Mourning at Atad") states, "And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days." This verse captures a pivotal moment of public grief and a significant geographical marker in the funeral procession of Jacob.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Threshingfloor (Hebrew, _gôren'_):** (H1637) 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. The choice of a threshingfloor, a common, open, and often elevated agricultural site, suggests a practical location large enough for the extensive funeral procession to gather and perform public mourning rituals. It was a well-known landmark, making it a suitable place for such a notable event.
* **Lamentation (Hebrew, _miçpêd'_):** (H4553) From _çâphad_ (H5594); a lamentation; lamentation, one mourneth, mourning, wailing. This term specifically refers to the vocal and demonstrative expression of grief, often involving loud wailing, crying, and other ritualistic displays of sorrow common in the ancient Near East. Its use here emphasizes the audible and public nature of the mourning.
* **Sore (Hebrew, _kâbêd'_):** (H3515) From _kâbad_ (H3513); 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. When combined with "great and very," the word "sore" intensifies the description of the lamentation, indicating an exceedingly heavy, severe, and difficult expression of grief, conveying its profound emotional depth and intensity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan":** This clause describes the geographical location where the procession paused. The "threshingfloor of Atad" was a specific, named landmark, likely a well-known site marked by thorn bushes. The phrase "beyond Jordan" (Hebrew: _'ever hayarden_) is crucial; given the journey from Egypt into Canaan, it most logically refers to a location *west* of the Jordan River. This means the procession had already crossed into the Promised Land, making this a significant entry point for their formal mourning before proceeding further into the heart of the land for burial.
* **"and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation":** This part details the nature and intensity of the mourning. The Hebrew emphasizes the extreme depth and audibility of the sorrow. This was not a private, quiet grief but a public, communal, and culturally prescribed wailing and lamentation, involving both Jacob's family and the accompanying Egyptian dignitaries. The triple emphasis ("great and very sore") highlights the extraordinary nature of this expression of grief.
* **"and he made a mourning for his father seven days":** The "he" here refers to Joseph, who orchestrated and led this specific period of mourning. The duration of "seven days" was a customary and symbolically significant period of intense grief and ritual mourning in ancient Israelite and surrounding cultures (cf. [1 Samuel 31:13](/1_samuel/31-13 "1 Samuel 31:13 - Mourning for Saul")). This act underscores Joseph's unwavering filial devotion, his commitment to honoring his father's memory and wishes, and his continued leadership even in sorrow.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **Literary Devices** to convey the profound significance of the event. The use of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis** is evident in the phrase "a great and very sore lamentation," which uses multiple intensifiers to underscore the extreme depth and public nature of the grief. This emphasizes the emotional weight of Jacob's passing and the respect accorded to him. The naming of the location, "threshingfloor of Atad," and its subsequent renaming in the next verse as **Abel-mizraim** ("mourning of Egypt"), functions as a **Toponymic Etiology**, explaining the origin of a place name through a significant event. This device grounds the narrative in a specific geographical reality and highlights the lasting impact of this funeral on the local populace. Furthermore, the precise mention of "seven days" is an example of **Symbolism**, as the number seven often denotes completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, signifying a full and proper period of mourning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 50:10 encapsulates profound theological truths concerning human grief, filial duty, and God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises. The intense, public, and prolonged lamentation for Jacob underscores the biblical recognition of deep sorrow as a natural and appropriate human response to loss. Joseph's meticulous orchestration of this funeral, including the seven-day mourning period, exemplifies profound filial piety and unwavering devotion, setting a powerful example of honoring one's parents. Most significantly, the journey to and mourning within the land of Canaan, even before the final burial, powerfully affirms the enduring nature of God's covenant promise of land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, demonstrating His faithfulness across generations and through challenging circumstances.

* [Genesis 49:29-30](/genesis/49-29-30 "Jacob's Final Burial Request")
* [Genesis 23:19-20](/genesis/23-19-20 "Abraham's Purchase of the Cave of Machpelah")
* [2 Samuel 1:12](/2_samuel/1-12 "David and His Men Mourn for Saul and Jonathan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 50:10 offers profound insights into the human experience of loss and the enduring nature of divine faithfulness. It reminds us of the importance of honoring our parents and loved ones, even in death, by respecting their wishes and providing appropriate expressions of grief. The passage highlights the natural and necessary human experience of sorrow, affirming that mourning is a valid and healthy part of processing loss, and that it can be a communal, supportive process. Joseph's unwavering commitment to fulfilling his father's final wish serves as an enduring example of faithfulness, respect, and filial duty, demonstrating that love extends beyond life. Furthermore, the emphasis on Jacob's burial in the promised land powerfully reinforces the enduring nature of God's covenant promises, demonstrating His faithfulness across generations and through challenging circumstances. This encourages believers to trust in God's unwavering commitment to His word, just as Joseph trusted in the divine plan that ultimately led his family back to the land of promise, even for burial.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's elaborate mourning for Jacob challenge or affirm your understanding of grief and honor for the deceased?**
* **In what ways can we, like Joseph, demonstrate profound respect and faithfulness to our elders and family members, both in life and in death?**
* **How does the fulfillment of Jacob's burial wish, even through such a grand procession, strengthen your faith in God's enduring promises for your own life?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the communal aspect of grief and the importance of supporting one another in times of loss?**

### FAQ
**What was the "threshingfloor of Atad"?**

Answer: A threshingfloor (Hebrew: _gôren_) was typically a flat, open, and often elevated area used by farmers to separate grain from its husks through winnowing. The "threshingfloor of Atad" was a specific, named location, likely a prominent landmark, that was large enough to accommodate Jacob's grand funeral procession for a public, extended period of mourning. Its name "Atad" means "thorn-bush," suggesting a place marked by such vegetation, serving as a distinct geographical marker.

**Why is the phrase "beyond Jordan" significant in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "beyond Jordan" (Hebrew: _'ever hayarden_) is significant because, given the procession's journey from Egypt into Canaan, it indicates they had crossed the Jordan River and were now *west* of the river, firmly within the geographical boundaries of the land of Canaan. This marked their entry into the Promised Land, fulfilling Jacob's desire to be buried there, even before reaching the final burial site in Hebron. The mourning at this location, therefore, occurred on the threshold of the promised inheritance, underscoring the fulfillment of God's covenant.

**What was the significance of the "seven days" of mourning?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including that of the Israelites, a seven-day period of mourning was a customary and symbolically significant duration for expressing deep grief. It was a formal, intense period of lamentation, often involving specific rituals and public displays of sorrow, as seen in other biblical accounts (e.g., [1 Samuel 31:13](/1_samuel/31-13 "1 Samuel 31:13 - Mourning for Saul")). This duration underscored the profound respect and sorrow felt for the deceased, in this case, Jacob, signifying a complete and proper period of lamentation.

**Why did Joseph go to such great lengths for his father's funeral?**

Answer: Joseph's elaborate orchestration of Jacob's funeral demonstrates his profound love, respect, and unwavering filial devotion to his father. It also reflects his high status and influence as a powerful figure in Egypt, allowing him to arrange such a grand procession, including a significant Egyptian delegation (as detailed in [Genesis 50:7-9](/genesis/50-7-9 "Genesis 50:7-9 - The Funeral Procession")). This act fulfilled Jacob's dying wish to be buried in Canaan (recorded in [Genesis 49:29-30](/genesis/49-29-30 "Genesis 49:29-30 - Jacob's Instructions for Burial")), showcasing Joseph's faithfulness to his father's final instructions and his commitment to the covenant promises associated with the land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The solemn procession and burial of Jacob in the Promised Land, marked by profound mourning and the fulfillment of a long-held desire, finds its ultimate echo and fulfillment in Christ. Jacob's burial in the land promised by God foreshadows the believer's ultimate rest and inheritance in the New Heavens and New Earth, secured not by human endeavor but by Christ's redemptive work. Just as Joseph meticulously led his family to the place of burial, Christ, as the greater Son and faithful Shepherd (cf. [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), leads His people through the wilderness of this life to their eternal home. The deep lamentation for Jacob, though genuine and appropriate, is contrasted with the ultimate hope of resurrection in Christ, who has conquered death and the grave (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). He offers eternal life and comfort beyond earthly sorrow, promising a future where all tears will be wiped away (cf. [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")). Thus, Jacob's burial in the promised land, a testament to God's faithfulness, points forward to the greater and eternal inheritance found in Christ Jesus, the true and living hope for all who believe (cf. [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 8:2

And devout men carried Stephen [to his burial], and made great lamentation over him.

Job 2:13

So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that [his] grief was very great.

2 Samuel 1:17

¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

1 Samuel 31:13

And they took their bones, and buried [them] under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

Numbers 19:11

¶ He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.

Deuteronomy 1:1

¶ These [be] the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red [sea], between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Genesis 50:11

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.