Gênesis 50
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Gênesis 50:1-3
50:1 This verse shows three signs of grieving associated with death. fell on his father's face, BDB 656, KB 709, Qal IMPERFECT with waw, similar to 33:4 wept over him, BDB 113, KB 129, Qal IMPERFECT with waw kissed him, BDB 676, KB 730, Qal IMPERFECT with waw 50:2 "physicians" This is a Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE of the VERB "to heal" (BDB 950, KB 1272, cf. 2 Chr. 16:12). There was a group of professional embalmers, but Joseph possibly used physicians in order to side step the religious overtones of Egyptian embalming (NASB Study Bible, p. 73). Jacob was preserved so that he could later be buried in the family burial cave in Canaan (cf. Gen. 49:29-32). ▣ "embalm" This VERB (BDB 334, KB 333, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTY) means "spice," "make spice" (cf. Song of Songs 2:13), or "embalm." This was a uniquely Egyptian procedure, found only here in the OT. It had religious connections to Osiris (beginning about 2700 B.C.) and the Egyptians' belief in an afterlife. It involved the removal of the internal organs and their separate preservation in jars in a later period the brain was also removed and placed in a separate jar the body was wrapped with resinated linen cloth The only written accounts of how to embalm come from Herodotus, History 2:85-90 and Diodorus Siculus, History 1.91. For a fuller discussion see ABD, vol. 2, pp. 490-495, and James M. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, pp. 56-58. This discussion is not meant in any way to address modern embalming practices. They have no religious overtones as did the Egyptian rituals. Many have assumed that the curse statement in Gen. 3:19 still applies. I personally think the physical remains of life (i.e., human bodies) are not that significant! SPECIAL TOPIC: CREMATION SPECIAL TOPIC: BURIAL PRACTICES 50:3 "forty days" The number 40 (BDB 917) can be literal or figurative. The Hebrews mourned for 30 days (cf. Num. 20:29; Deut. 34:8) for national leaders. It was a sign of respect. ▣ "seventy days" Jacob received a royal burial. Pharaoh himself was mourned for seventy-two days (the Greek historian, Diodorus [1.72]). The Egyptians mourned for Jacob out of respect for Joseph. SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE
Gênesis 50:4-6
50:4 "favor in your sight" This is an idiom of approval (cf. Gen. 18:3; 47:29; Exod. 33:13). This idiom is always used of an inferior asking a superior (i.e., Ruth 2:13). Here Joseph is showing respect for Pharaoh. 50:5-6 In Gen. 50:5 Joseph shares his oath (BDB 989, KB 1396, two Hiphil PERFECTS, Gen. 50:5,6) to his father, Jacob (#1,2) and a promise to return (#3). go up, BDB 748, KB 828, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense bury me, BDB 868, KB 1064, Qal COHORTATIVE I will return, BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal COHORTATIVE In Gen. 50:6 Pharaoh responds to his request related to his oath. go up, Qal IMPERATIVE bury, Qal IMPERATIVE 50:5 NASB, NKJV, NJB, LXX "dug" "hewed out" "he had prepared" REB, Peshitta "bought" "made ready" The Rabbinical Midrash (Peshitta and REV) replaces this term with "bought" (cf. Gen. 23:17-20; 47:27-31; 49:29-32). The two Hebrew roots are the same dig, BDB 500 I, cf. Gen. 26:25; Num. 21:18 buy, BDB 500 II, cf. Deut. 2:6
Gênesis 50:7-14
50:7-8 Verses 7-8 show how large a funeral possession went to Canaan. Joseph the servants of Pharaoh the elders of his household the elders of the land of Egypt household of Joseph Joseph's brothers Jacob's household a military escort, Gen. 50:9 Verse 9 implies a military escort. It may also have been Pharaoh's way to assure the return of his best administrator/advisor. 50:8 "They left only their little ones and their flocks" This was to assure their return! ▣ "in the land of Goshen" See notes at Gen. 45:10; 46:28. 50:9 "chariots and horsemen" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARIOTS 50:10 "Atad" Literally this is "thorns" (BDB 31). The Rabbinical Midrash says it was a protective hedge. This site is unknown. Jerome says it was located near Jericho. It was the site of a ritual mourning, not necessarily the site of the burial! ▣ The intensity of their grief is described by they lamented there with a very great and mournful lamentation observed seven days note Gen. 50:11 ▣ "beyond the Jordan" This phrase, "in the region of" (BDB 81 CONSTRUCT BDB 719 I, cf. Gen. 50:11), does not determine the east or west bank. It depends on the location of the speaker. 50:11 This is a play on the word "Abel" (BDB 5 II), which means "meadow" (lit. "grow green grass"), and "Abel" (BDB 5 I), which means "mourning" (AB lists a third option, "watercourse," p. 376). 50:12-14 This is a summary statement describing their promise to Jacob. 50:13 "the cave" This cave is the one referred to in Gen. 23:16-20.
Gênesis 50:15-21
50:15 The intensity of the brothers' concern is expressed in the VERB "bear a grudge" (BDB 966, KB 1316), which was used earlier of Esau (Gen. 27:41) and alluded to in Gen. 49:23. It is also used by Job 16:9; 30:21. It is a very strong VERB. the phrase "and pay us back in full," which is a Hiphil INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and a Hiphil IMPERFECT of the same root (BDB 996, KB 1427). 50:16-17 This introduces an unknown quote from Jacob which the brothers were quoting to assure Joseph's favor. 50:17 This verse sets the stage for Joseph's faith statement in Gen. 50:19-20. The brothers' fear and desire for forgiveness can be seen in please forgive, BDB 609, KB 724, Qal IMPERATIVE I beg you (NASB expansion) the transgression and sin of your brothers (cf. Gen. 37:18-28) (we) did wrong please forgive the transgression v. 18 The only reasons for their request were Jacob's words, Gen. 50:16-17 they are servants of the God of Jacob, Gen. 50:17 50:19 NASB, NKJV, NRSV "for am I in God's place" "I can't put myself in the place of God" "is it for me to put myself in God's place" "for I am God's" "for I am a servant of God" "Am I a substitute for God" This was Joseph's way of saying that he saw himself as part of God's method for preserving Abraham's family (cf. Gen. 45:5-15; Ps. 105:16-24)! He explains this in Gen. 50:20. He did not see himself as acting as judge, only God can do this! The question in Hebrew expects a "no" answer. This same expression is found in Gen. 30:2. 50:20 "you meant evil against me" Joseph did not cover over the brothers' sin, but saw the "unseen hand" of God in his life and circumstances! Oh that we could, by faith, recognize the "unseen hand" in our lives! For a good article on God using the sin of humans to accomplish His purposes, see Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, second ed., pp. 425-426. ▣ "God meant it for good" This is a good example of the meaning of Romans 8:28-29. 50:21 Joseph tells them what he will do for the family. do not be afraid, BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, as in Gen. 50:19; see SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT) I will provide for you, BDB 465, KB 463, Pilpel IMPERFECT, cf. Gen. 45:11; 47:12 I will provide for your little ones, BDB 465, KB 463, Pilpel IMPERFECT, cf. Gen. 45:11; 47:12 he comforted them, BDB 636, KB 688, Piel IMPERFECT with waw; see SPECIAL TOPIC: COMFORT spoke kindly to them (lit. "speak to the heart" (BDB 180, KB 210, Piel IMPERFECT with waw, cf. Gen. 34:3; Jdg. 19:3; Ruth 2:13)
Gênesis 50:22-26
50:22 "one hundred and ten years" This was the ideal age in Egyptian literature of the period. 50:23 "Machir" Also see Joshua 17:1 and Judges 5:14. The name may be related to the similar root for "merchandise" or "value" (BDB 569). ▣ "born on Joseph's knee" Obviously this was not to be taken literally. It is a cultural ANE idiom used for adoption (cf. Gen. 30:3; 48:12) or receiving someone into the family. 50:24 "God will surely take care of you" Joseph trusted in God's promised care for Abraham's family (cf. Gen. 15:16)! Joseph was God's instrument, but as he passed from this life, God would raise up others (i.e., Moses, Aaron, Joshua, etc.). Joseph's words are intensified by the Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and Qal IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 823, KB 955, lit, "visit," used in a specialized sense of God's personal presence and care, cf. Exod. 3:16; 4:31; Ruth 1:6; Zeph. 2:7). This form is found in both Gen. 50:24,25! SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 50:25 "carry my bones" He knew they would return to the promised land and he wanted to be buried there just as his father had been (cf. Exod. 13:19; Jos. 24:32). 50:26 "coffin" This word (BDB 75) can refer to ark (of the covenant, i.e., Exod. 25:22; 26:33; 30:6; Num. 10:33; Deut. 10:8; 31:9; Josh 3:3), a religious sacred box coffin, only here (Israelites did not use coffins) chest, for money (i.e., 2 Kgs. 12:10; 2 Chr. 24:8,10,11) The other word translated in English "ark" (BDB 1061) refers to Noah's ark (i.e., Gen. 6:14) Moses' papyrus crib (i.e., Exod. 2:3)