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.

Genesis 50:10 nkjv

Then they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and they mourned there with a great and very solemn lamentation. He observed seven days of mourning for his father.

Genesis 50:10 niv

When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father.

Genesis 50:10 esv

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

Genesis 50:10 nlt

When they arrived at the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan River, they held a very great and solemn memorial service, with a seven-day period of mourning for Joseph's father.

Genesis 50 verses

Genesis 50 10 Meaning

Genesis 50:10 describes a significant event in the journey to bury Jacob: the elaborate and intense mourning observed by Joseph and his companions at a specific location, the Threshing Floor of Atad, which was located on the side of Canaan beyond the Jordan. This mourning lasted for seven days and was characterized by profound sorrow, so much so that its intensity impressed the local Canaanite inhabitants. It signifies deep respect, piety, and the concluding chapter of Jacob's remarkable life.

Genesis 50 10 Context

This verse is the climax of the elaborate funeral procession for Jacob, the patriarch, following his death in Egypt. Joseph, who held a prominent position in Pharaoh's court, fulfilled his father's dying wish to be buried in the land of Canaan, specifically in the cave of Machpelah. The journey from Egypt was a massive undertaking, involving not only Jacob's family and household but also Pharaoh's servants, elders of his house, and all the elders of Egypt, reflecting the high esteem for Jacob and Joseph. They stopped at the Threshing Floor of Atad, a place apparently well-known, for a period of formal and profound lamentation before continuing to the final burial site. This public demonstration of grief underscores the significance of Jacob's death, the honor bestowed upon him, and the deep emotional ties within the family.

Genesis 50 10 Word analysis

• When they came: Indicates the arrival of the funeral procession at a designated spot. This journey from Egypt to Canaan was a meticulously planned and slow progression, marking key stops.
• to the Threshing Floor of Atad:
  • Threshing Floor (גֹּרֶן, goren): A common, open, and usually elevated place used for winnowing grain after harvest. It's an ironic location for mourning as threshing floors are places of abundance and work, whereas death brings desolation. Its public nature, however, made it a suitable place for a large public gathering.
  • Atad (אָטָד, ʾaṭāḏ): Means "thorn bush" or "buckthorn." This name for the threshing floor suggests a landmark in a potentially barren or wild area, or perhaps a place associated with difficulties.
• which is beyond the Jordan: (בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, bəʿēḇer hayyarədēn). This phrase is subject to scholarly debate regarding precise location. When used from a Canaanite perspective, it often means the Transjordan (east of the river). However, in this narrative of a journey from Egypt into Canaan, for the local Canaanites (v. 11) to witness the mourning, it likely refers to a specific place on the western side of the Jordan River, meaning "on the Canaanite side of the Jordan" from the perspective of someone traveling across from Transjordan, or simply denoting a well-known spot on the route into central Canaan. It signifies a strategic border location or entry point into the promised land.
• they mourned there: The collective "they" includes Joseph, his brothers, and the numerous Egyptian dignitaries who accompanied them. It indicates a communal and highly visible act of lamentation.
• with a great and very grievous lamentation: (אֵבֶל גָּדוֹל וְכָבֵד מְאֹד, ʾēḇel gāḏôl wəḵāḇēḏ məʾōḏ). This is a strong Hebrew idiom for profound sorrow.
  • Great (גָּדוֹל, gāḏôl): Signifies large in scale and intensity.
  • Very grievous (כָּבֵד מְאֹד, kāḇēḏ məʾōḏ): Literally "very heavy." Emphasizes the deep emotional weight and physical manifestation of their sorrow. The term 'heavy' highlights the overwhelming nature of their grief, suggesting wailing, tearing of clothes, and other physical displays.
• and he made a mourning for his father: The "he" here most likely refers to Joseph, who organized and led this solemn event, signifying his leadership, filial piety, and reverence for Jacob. Alternatively, it could be a general reference to the whole company. This act underscores Joseph's faithfulness in fulfilling Jacob's dying wish and his profound love.
• seven days: A significant and sacred period of mourning in the ancient Near East and in Israelite tradition. This was a standard time for observing deep grief, often associated with important events or high-status individuals, reflecting the deep respect and profound loss.

Genesis 50 10 Bonus section

The naming of the location as "Abel-Mizraim" ("mourning of Egypt") by the Canaanites in the subsequent verse (Gen 50:11) highlights the profound impact of this funeral on the surrounding communities and their perception of the mourners, especially due to the large Egyptian contingent. It testifies to the magnitude of the event and its lasting memory. This verse also encapsulates a crucial aspect of Joseph's character—his unwavering devotion and integrity, seen in how diligently he carries out his father's last request, reinforcing his identity as a type of faithful servant or leader. The detailed account of the funeral contrasts sharply with earlier, simpler burials, reflecting Jacob's immense stature as the patriarch through whom the twelve tribes of Israel would come forth.

Genesis 50 10 Commentary

Genesis 50:10 provides a poignant and dramatic illustration of a monumental patriarchal funeral, demonstrating the honor given to Jacob, the deep familial bond, and Joseph's profound piety. The choice of a "threshing floor," typically a place of labor and harvest, for a lengthy period of intense mourning is striking, possibly indicating the stark transition from Jacob's fertile life to the finality of death, or simply its accessibility for such a large gathering. The description of the lamentation as "great and very grievous" emphasizes its emotional intensity and public nature, foreshadowing how it would be named by the locals. The "seven days" of mourning signifies a complete and proper observance, aligning with ancient custom and underscoring the societal importance of the deceased and the deep grief of his family, especially Joseph. This stopping point just outside the heart of Canaan is a symbolic pause, acknowledging Jacob's return to the land promised to his ancestors, thereby reinforcing God's covenantal promises even in death. This act of public grief served as a profound witness to the surrounding Canaanites, underscoring the prominence of Jacob's family and perhaps, subtly, the emerging presence of the future nation of Israel.