Genesis 50 11

Genesis 50:11 kjv

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.

Genesis 50:11 nkjv

And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a deep mourning of the Egyptians." Therefore its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

Genesis 50:11 niv

When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning." That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim.

Genesis 50:11 esv

When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians." Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim; it is beyond the Jordan.

Genesis 50:11 nlt

The local residents, the Canaanites, watched them mourning at the threshing floor of Atad. Then they renamed that place (which is near the Jordan) Abel-mizraim, for they said, "This is a place of deep mourning for these Egyptians."

Genesis 50 verses

Genesis 50 11 meaning

Genesis 50:11 describes the observation by the Canaanites of the extraordinary mourning held by Jacob's funeral procession at the threshing floor of Atad. Seeing the profound sorrow displayed, particularly by the numerous Egyptian participants, the local inhabitants misidentified the mourners as exclusively Egyptian, concluding that this was a deeply significant mourning ceremony for them. This event led to the location being named Abel-mizraim, meaning "mourning of Egypt," commemorating the intense lamentation.

Genesis 50 11 Context

Genesis 50:11 is nestled within the final chapter of Genesis, which concludes the patriarchal narrative with the burial of Jacob. Having died in Egypt, Jacob had made Joseph promise to bury him in the land of Canaan, with his ancestors in the cave of Machpelah. Pharaoh granted permission for Joseph and his family, along with a significant Egyptian contingent, to travel to Canaan for the burial. This verse specifically describes a dramatic pause in this immense funeral procession. They stop at the threshing floor of Atad, likely a common public space, to perform a lengthy, intense, seven-day mourning ritual. The scene vividly portrays the solemnity and public display of grief for Jacob, underscoring his importance and Joseph's high standing in Egypt, compelling enough to warrant such an extravagant observance witnessed by the local Canaanite populace.

Genesis 50 11 Word analysis

• And when: Connects this action to the previous events of the journey.
• the inhabitants (יֹשֵׁב, yoshev): Refers to the permanent dwellers or residents of the land.
• of the land (אֶרֶץ, eretz): Specifically refers to the land of Canaan, indicating a local presence.
• the Canaanites (כְּנַעֲנִי, Kena'ani): A specific ethnic group occupying the territory, highlighting the indigenous population. Their perspective is central to the verse's meaning.
• saw: Implies active observation and perception of the mourning.
• the mourning (אֵבֶל, evel): A deep lamentation or expression of grief, referring to the formal rituals observed.
• in the floor of Atad (גֹּרֶן אָטָד, goren Atad): "Threshing floor of Atad." A threshing floor was an open, public area typically for agricultural purposes but also used for gatherings. 'Atad' likely refers to a thorny plant, possibly indicating the vegetation of the area. This location suggests a highly visible, designated stopping point.
• they said: Represents their verbal reaction and interpretation of what they witnessed.
• 'This is a grievous (כָּבֵד, kaved, "heavy") mourning': Indicates a significant, profound, and deeply felt lamentation, suggesting the Canaanites perceived its unusual intensity and scale.
• 'to the Egyptians.': Their misidentification of the entire, vast procession as solely Egyptian, highlighting the prominent presence of the Egyptian officials and escorts.
• Therefore the name of it was called: Standard biblical formula for explaining a new name for a place or person.
• Abel-mizraim (אָבֵל מִצְרַיִם, Avel Mitzrayim): A place name formed by wordplay. 'Abel' is derived from evel (mourning). So, "mourning of Egypt," commemorating the event from the perspective of the Canaanites. It marks the enduring impact of the funeral's solemnity.

Words-group analysis:

• "the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning": Emphasizes the outside perspective and how they perceived the elaborate ritual, showing the visible impact of the family's grief.
• "grievous mourning to the Egyptians": Reveals the Canaanites' interpretation, specifically noting the heavy nature of the lamentation and their mistaken assumption about the identity of the principal mourners, highlighting the grandeur of the Egyptian delegation.
• "floor of Atad": Indicates a specific, public location chosen for this significant pause and extended period of mourning, making it a prominent witness to the event.
• "Abel-mizraim": A memorial name, serving as an enduring testament to the powerful public display of grief and the significant Egyptian presence, preserving the story within the land's geography.

Genesis 50 11 Bonus section

The threshing floor of Atad (or 'beyond the Jordan') suggests a geographical marker that highlights the path taken from Egypt back to Canaan. The act of halting for seven days underscores a cultural emphasis on formalized, communal mourning rituals that spanned multiple societies of the ancient Near East, reflecting the profound impact of death. This stop and the resulting naming of a place signify how crucial events, even solemn ones, contributed to the sacred geography and memory of God's people in the promised land. It is a precursor to Israel's eventual entry and possession of Canaan, marking it with significant memories even prior to the Exodus.

Genesis 50 11 Commentary

Genesis 50:11 succinctly captures a pivotal moment of public display following Jacob's death. The overwhelming funeral procession from Egypt, featuring numerous Egyptian dignitaries alongside Jacob's family, performed an intense, seven-day mourning ritual at a strategic location. This demonstration of grief was so profound and widely observed that the local Canaanites, impressed by its scale and duration, misidentified the entire mourning party as Egyptians, commenting on the "grievous mourning to the Egyptians." This highlights Joseph's high status in Egypt and the immense respect shown to Jacob even after death. The naming of the place as Abel-mizraim ("mourning of Egypt") serves as a lasting witness to this solemn event, rooting it into the landscape. It emphasizes that even for the peoples of Canaan, the powerful mourning, signifying both sorrow and respect, became an undeniable marker of the time, reinforcing the divine plan unfolding in their land through the patriarchs. The Canaanites' observation, though limited in their understanding of Jacob's identity, implicitly confirms the influence and stature that Jacob's family held even before the full establishment of Israel in the promised land.