Genesis 50 2

Genesis 50:2 kjv

And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.

Genesis 50:2 nkjv

And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.

Genesis 50:2 niv

Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him,

Genesis 50:2 esv

And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.

Genesis 50:2 nlt

Then Joseph told the physicians who served him to embalm his father's body; so Jacob was embalmed.

Genesis 50 verses

Genesis 50 2 meaning

Genesis 50:2 describes Joseph’s immediate actions following the death of his father, Jacob. It records his directive to the Egyptian physicians under his authority to perform the elaborate process of embalming Jacob’s body, and the subsequent fulfillment of that command. This action demonstrates Joseph’s deep filial respect and honor for his father, employing a prestigious Egyptian custom to preserve the patriarch's body for a journey back to Canaan for burial, as per Jacob's final wish.

Genesis 50 2 Context

Genesis 50:2 takes place immediately after Jacob's death in Egypt (Gen 49:33) and Joseph’s profound emotional response of grief (Gen 50:1). Having brought his family to Egypt to escape the famine, Joseph is now responsible for fulfilling his father’s final wish: to be buried in the land of Canaan, specifically in the cave of Machpelah (Gen 49:29-32). Given the long journey and the cultural context of their residency, the preservation of Jacob’s body through embalming became a practical necessity and a display of utmost honor. Historically, embalming was a highly specialized and religiously significant practice in ancient Egypt, essential for the deceased's journey into the afterlife according to their beliefs. For the Israelites, who typically practiced simple and immediate earth burial, Jacob's embalming by Egyptian physicians highlights their unique situation in a foreign land and Joseph's elevated status, enabling him to secure such an elaborate funeral rite for his father, demonstrating respect for both Jacob’s position and his desire for a Canaan burial.

Genesis 50 2 Word analysis

• And Joseph (וַיְצַו יוֹסֵף, vai-ye-tsav yo-seph): Joseph, Jacob's son and the vizier of Egypt, is the subject. His action signifies his authority and filial piety. He is not merely suggesting but actively commanding.

• commanded (וַיְצַו, vai-ye-tsav): From the Hebrew verb צָוָה (tzavah), meaning "to command," "to charge," "to order." This term indicates a direct and authoritative instruction given by Joseph in his capacity as a high-ranking Egyptian official. It denotes his power and expectation of immediate obedience.

• his servants (אֶת־עֲבָדָיו, et-a-va-dav): Refers to individuals directly under Joseph's employ or authority. Given his status, these would be personal staff, likely high-ranking and specialized personnel, reflecting his considerable wealth and influence.

• the physicians (הָרֹפְאִים, ha-ro-fe'im): From רָפָא (rapha), "to heal," "to mend." In this context, these were specialized embalmers, a specific guild or class within Egyptian society skilled in the elaborate process of mummification. Their role was distinct from the typical Hebrew concept of a "healer," encompassing the ritualistic preparation of the dead body.

• to embalm (לַחֲנֹט, la-kha-not): From חָנַט (khanat), "to embalm," "to preserve," specifically referring to the mummification process practiced by the Egyptians. This was an involved and lengthy procedure to preserve the body, unique among the known burial customs of the region for its complexity and effectiveness.

• his father (אֶת־אָבִיו, et-a-vi-v): Explicitly names the recipient of this elaborate service as Jacob, highlighting the strong filial bond and deep reverence Joseph had for him. It underscores the personal and sacred nature of this final act of care.

• and the physicians (וַיַּחַנְטוּ הָרֹפְאִים, vai-ya-chan-tu ha-ro-fe'im): An immediate follow-up clause indicating prompt obedience. The action confirms that the command was not only given but also carried out.

• embalmed Israel (אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל, et-Yis-ra-el): Uses Jacob’s covenant name "Israel," the name God gave him after his wrestling match (Gen 32:28). This choice of name adds theological weight, signifying that this honored person is not just Jacob, Joseph's father, but the patriarch from whom the nation of Israel would descend, embodying God's promises.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians": This phrase showcases Joseph's dual identity and power. He acts as an Egyptian dignitary, commanding specialized professionals for a culturally Egyptian practice, while still functioning as a loyal Israelite son, driven by piety and his father's wishes. This illustrates his mastery of Egyptian protocol and his privileged access to elite services.
  • "to embalm his father": This phrase clearly states the purpose. The embalming was crucial for two reasons: honoring his father by preserving his body using the most esteemed method of the day, and practically preparing the body for the long journey from Egypt back to Canaan for burial. This decision reflects a fusion of Egyptian method and Israelite intention.
  • "and the physicians embalmed Israel": This concluding phrase confirms the immediate and effective execution of Joseph’s command. The use of "Israel" instead of "Jacob" elevates the event beyond a personal family affair, associating it with the larger covenant narrative and the identity of God's chosen people, despite the use of an ostensibly non-Israelite practice. It affirms that the body of the patriarch was given full ceremonial respect in accordance with the standards of the dominant culture.

Genesis 50 2 Bonus section

The embalming of Jacob took a precise 40 days for the actual process, followed by an additional 30 days of mourning, totaling 70 days (Gen 50:3). These numbers are reflective of official mourning periods for high-status individuals in ancient Egypt. While seemingly at odds with traditional Israelite customs of immediate burial, Joseph’s actions reveal a practical accommodation to his Egyptian context to achieve a pious end—honoring his father and facilitating his burial in the Promised Land. This incident foreshadows the later embalming of Joseph himself, whose bones would also journey with the Israelites during the Exodus, reinforcing the theme of physical preservation for the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises concerning the land of Canaan (Gen 50:25-26, Exod 13:19). The event also provides a unique glimpse into the interaction between Abrahamic covenant people and the highly ritualistic culture of Egypt.

Genesis 50 2 Commentary

Genesis 50:2 captures a significant moment of cross-cultural interaction and profound filial devotion. Joseph, holding the second highest position in Egypt, leveraged his power to ensure his father, Jacob, received the most dignified burial preparations available at the time—Egyptian embalming. This act was extraordinary for an Israelite, as their typical burial customs involved quick internment without embalming (e.g., Deut 34:6; 1 Kgs 13:31). Joseph's command highlights his immense love and honor for Jacob (echoing the command to honor parents in Exod 20:12), going beyond the norm to fulfill his father's final wish of being buried in the land of Canaan. The employment of "his servants, the physicians," reveals Joseph’s high status and the specialized nature of embalming in Egypt, involving a caste of professionals distinct from general healers. By referring to Jacob as "Israel" at the conclusion of the verse, the text subtly elevates the significance of the act from a private family affair to one concerning the progenitor of the covenant nation, ensuring the careful preservation of the body destined for the Promised Land. This meticulous care ensured the physical remains were suitable for a significant funeral procession and a future burial that solidified God's land promises.