Genesis 50

Genesis 50 Commentary

Overview

Genesis 50 is the final chapter of the patriarchal period, chronicling the death and burial of Jacob, followed by the death of Joseph. Amidst an atmosphere of sorrow and mourning, this chapter reveals God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises, emphasizing reconciliation and forgiveness among family members, and the legacy of faith. Jacob's funeral is depicted as a grand event, blending Egyptian burial customs with the funeral rites in the land of Canaan, symbolizing the importance of the patriarchal era and the growth of God's people in Egypt. Joseph's death concludes his life's journey, and his final testament reveals his faith in returning to the land of Canaan according to God's promise.

Structure of the Text

Genesis 50 can be broadly divided into three parts:

The Death and Burial of Jacob (1-14)

Joseph's grief and mourning (1)

Embalming and Egyptian funeral customs (2-3)

Requesting Pharaoh's permission for the burial (4-6)

The grand funeral procession and burial in Canaan (7-11)

Return to Egypt after the burial (14)

Reconciliation and Forgiveness between Joseph and His Brothers (15-21)

The brothers' fear and plea for forgiveness (15-17)

Joseph's comfort and forgiveness (18-21)

The Death and Testament of Joseph (22-26)

Joseph's life and descendants (22-23)

Joseph's testament and death (24-26)

Key Themes

Death and Mourning: Jacob's death brings deep sorrow to his family, and the chapter portrays the process of mourning through funeral rites that combine Egyptian burial culture and biblical customs.

God's Providence and Sovereignty: Joseph recognizes and confesses that even the wicked actions of his brothers were ultimately used by God for good within His benevolent plan. This emphasizes God's sovereignty over all history.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness: Joseph sincerely forgives and comforts his brothers who had wronged him, reflecting God's forgiveness and love.

Legacy of Faith: Jacob's burial symbolizes the journey of faith, remembering God's promises and carrying forward the hope for the land of Canaan. Joseph's testament also demonstrates faith in the future and anticipation of the fulfillment of the covenant.

Section-by-Section Commentary

1-14: The Death and Burial of Jacob

Verse 1: The scene of Joseph falling on his father Jacob's face, weeping and kissing him, shows deep filial piety and grief. The Reformed tradition views this as an expression of Joseph's profound love and devotion to his father. The Methodist tradition emphasizes Joseph's "tender emotions," noting his leadership position and dedication to his father.

Verses 2-3: Joseph commands physicians to embalm his father's body, and the Egyptians spent 40 days on the embalming process and 70 days in mourning. The Anglican and academic traditions interpret these "physicians" not merely as healers but as a group of "embalmers" specializing in the preservation of bodies, explaining the advanced funeral culture of ancient Egypt. The Lutheran and German Protestant traditions mention the embalming period (40 days) and mourning period (70 days), explaining these as customs of ancient Egypt at the time. The Baptist tradition focuses on detailing these periods, concentrating on explaining Egyptian funeral practices.

Verses 4-6: Joseph requests permission from Pharaoh to go to Canaan to bury his father. This demonstrates his filial piety and his determination to fulfill his father's dying wish. The German Pietist tradition sees in Joseph's request for Pharaoh's permission an attitude of seeking grace.

Verses 7-11: Pharaoh's officials, the elders of Egypt, Joseph and his brothers, and a large retinue form a grand funeral procession to Canaan. This scene illustrates Jacob's status and Joseph's influence in Egypt. The Methodist tradition describes this as a "royal funeral," symbolizing the end of the patriarchal era and the beginning of the covenant people. The Baptist tradition vividly describes the scale and grandeur of this funeral procession. After seven days of intense mourning at the threshing floor of Atad beyond the Jordan, the inhabitants of Canaan called the place Abel-mizraim, meaning "the mourning of Egypt," showing how highly the Egyptians esteemed Jacob.

15-21: Reconciliation and Forgiveness between Joseph and His Brothers

Verses 15-17: After Jacob's death, the brothers fear that Joseph will take revenge and plead for forgiveness. They claim that their father Jacob had commanded Joseph to forgive his brothers before he died. The Baptist tradition interprets this passage as showing Joseph's brothers doubting Joseph's sincerity due to their past guilt.

Verses 18-21: Joseph perceives his brothers' fear and comforts them, confessing that God turned all their evil intentions for good. The Reformed tradition interprets this passage as Joseph's confession of faith, emphasizing "God's absolute sovereignty." He makes it clear that despite his brothers' wicked intentions, God worked all things together for good. The Wesleyan/Methodist tradition emphasizes Joseph's "gentleness" and "love," viewing his forgiveness as reflecting God's grace.

22-26: The Death and Testament of Joseph

Verses 22-23: Joseph lived 110 years in Egypt and saw the third generation of Ephraim's children. This shows the prosperity of his life and the flourishing of his descendants.

Verses 24-26: Joseph, sensing his death approaching, instructs his brothers to remember God's promise and to carry his bones out of Egypt when they depart. The Reformed tradition views this testament as Joseph's "legacy of faith," indicating his assurance of God's promise and his hope for the future. The Baptist tradition sees this as Joseph seeing his descendants before his death and commanding them to return to Canaan.

Original Language Insights

בָּכוּ (bachu): 'to weep', 'to wail' (Gen 50:1). A word indicating the tears Joseph shed in mourning for his father Jacob, expressing deep sorrow and affection.

חָנַט (chanat): 'to embalm', 'to spice' (Gen 50:2). A Hebrew word referring to the Egyptian practice of embalming bodies, offering a glimpse into the advanced funeral culture of the time.

רָחַם (racham): 'to have compassion', 'to love' (Gen 50:17). A word describing the mercy and love Joseph showed his brothers, illustrating his spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.

שָׁכַב (shachav): 'to lie down', 'to die' (Gen 50:24). A word indicating Joseph facing death, marking the end of his life.

Theological Perspectives — Comparative Denominations

Reformed Tradition: Emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and providence. This is seen in Joseph's interpretation of his brothers' evil deeds within God's good plan. Furthermore, Joseph's testament is considered important as a legacy of faith.

Wesleyan/Methodist Tradition: Highlights Joseph's deep filial piety, affection, and spirit of forgiveness. It describes Jacob's funeral as a "royal funeral," underscoring the significance of the patriarchal era.

Lutheran Tradition: Summarizes Jacob's life as one of "suffering and sorrow," emphasizing that God's grace was with him despite his short life.

Puritan Tradition: Views Joseph's expressions of grief and mourning, and his determination to fulfill his father's dying wish, as significant. It also compares and explains Egyptian funeral culture with biblical customs.

Baptist Tradition: Focuses on describing the scale and grandeur of Jacob's funeral procession and Egyptian funeral customs in detail. It emphasizes faith in the future through Joseph's testament.

Anglican/Academic Tradition: Concentrates on explaining the historical and cultural background of the text. It interprets the word "physicians" as "embalmers" and academically analyzes the advanced funeral culture of Egypt.

Greek Exegesis: (While there isn't extensive direct Greek exegesis in the provided material, based on the overall commentary trend) It focuses on faithfully conveying the meaning of the original text and deriving theological implications.

German Pietism: Sees in Joseph's attitude a posture of faith seeking God's grace. It also emphasizes the humility of a believer in the process of seeking Pharaoh's permission.

Cross-References

Genesis 47:29-31: The passage where Jacob, facing death, asks Joseph to bury him in Canaan.

Genesis 46:4: God commands Jacob to go down to Egypt, promising, "I will bring you up again."

Genesis 45:5-8: The passage where Joseph reveals to his brothers that sending him to Egypt was not their plan but God's providence.

Deuteronomy 34:8: The record of the Israelites mourning for Moses for thirty days after his death.

Numbers 20:29, Deuteronomy 34:8: Other biblical references to funeral periods.

Hebrews 11:22: "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his own body."

Sermon / Application Points

Faith Shining Through Grief: Jacob's death is a time of sorrow, yet Joseph trusts in God's providence and forgives his brothers. It is important for us to trust in God's plan amidst life's difficulties and sorrows and not lose faith.

The Power of Forgiveness: Joseph's genuine forgiveness eased his brothers' guilt and restored their relationship. We too should forgive others' wrongdoings and pursue reconciliation through Christ's love.

God's Sovereign Providence: Joseph confesses that his suffering ultimately unfolded within God's good plan. All our life experiences, even painful ones, can find meaning within God's larger picture.

Legacy of Faith: Just as Jacob and Joseph left a testament of hope for the land of Canaan to their descendants, we too must pass on our faith and God's promises to our children.

A Life Prepared for Death: Both Jacob and Joseph made plans for their funerals and futures before their deaths. Rather than fearing death, we should live meaningful lives before God and prepare for death.