Genesis 50

Genesis 50:1-21

Genesis 50:11 — Word Study on “Atad” – Strong says the Hebrew name “Atad” (ΰָ ?θָ ?γ) (H329) means “a thorn-tree.” Genesis 50:11 — Word Study on “Abelmizrain” – Gesenius says the Hebrew name “Abelmizrain” (ΰָ ?αֵ ?μξִ ?φְ ?ψַ ?ιִ ?ν) (H67) means, “meadow of the Egyptians,” but may very well mean, “mourner of Egypt” based upon the context of this verse. Strong says it means “meadow of Egypt.” The Hebrew words “Abel” (ΰָ ?αֵ ?μ) (H59), meaning “meadow,” and “ebel (ΰֵ ?αֶ ?μ) (H60), meaning, “mourning” are very similar. Genesis 50:15-21 — Comments - Joseph Reassures His Brothers of His Kindness Towards Them – Genesis 50:15-21 tells us about how Joseph reassured his brothers with words of kindness after their father’s death. Joseph had it within his power to do them harm and to reap justice for their wicked act of selling him into slavery. However, we see instead that Joseph kept a heart of forgiveness because he could see the bigger picture of God’s plan for their lives. I have found great comfort in my life by looking at the long-term effects of things that have taken place. I am able to keep my heart clean towards others by knowing that God is able to work things out for His good. Genesis 50:16 — “And they sent a messenger unto Joseph” - Comments - Most all civilizations had an organized system of runners, who delivered messages on a regular route. Note a quote from Joseph E. Church’s book Quest for the Highest, where he used runners in the early missionary work in Africa in the first part of the twentieth century, before transportation was modernized. “I watched one man especially - it happened to be one of our regular post runners who did the 90 mile journey to Kabale and back twice a month to get our mail.”[263] [263] Joseph E. Church, Quest for the Highest (Exeter, UK: The Paternoster Press, 1981), 132.Genesis 50:20 — Scripture Reference – Note: Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” Genesis 50:21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Genesis 50:22-26

The Death of Joseph – Genesis 50:22-26 tells us about the final prophecy and death of Joseph. When the Scriptures tell us that a patriarch dies in a ripe old age in peace, it implies that this person fulfilled the destiny that God had given him. I believe that we can see this in epilogues to the genealogies of the lives of Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and in the life of Joseph. Joseph says, “and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Thus, the book of Genesis ends with a thread of hope that allows us to follow the redemptive thread linking us to the book of Exodus. Genesis 50:25 — “you shall carry up my bones from here” – Scripture References - Note other passages referring to this event: Exodus 13:19, “And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.” Joshua 24:32, “And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.” Hebrews 11:22, “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.” Genesis 50:25 — Comments - Joseph believed in the words that the Lord spoke to Abraham about the Exodus of Israel coming after four hundred years of affliction (Genesis 15:13). Genesis 15:13, “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Genesis 50:26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.