Paths in Biblical Studies

Book of Genesis · Chapter 50 of 50

Genesis 50: Verse-by-Verse Commentary (with Videos)

26 verses · 4 video commentaries from 4 courses · Berean Standard Bible

1Then Joseph fell upon his father’s face, wept over him, and kissed him.

2And Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So they embalmed him,

3taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

4When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please tell Pharaoh that

5my father made me swear an oath when he said, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father, and then return.”

6Pharaoh replied, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.”

7Then Joseph went to bury his father, and all the servants of Pharaoh accompanied him—the elders of Pharaoh’s household and all the elders of the land of Egypt—

8along with all of Joseph’s household, and his brothers, and his father’s household. Only their children and flocks and herds were left in Goshen.

9Chariots and horsemen alike went up with him, and it was an exceedingly large procession.

10When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days.

11When the Canaanites of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn ceremony of mourning by the Egyptians.” Thus the place across the Jordan is called Abel-mizraim.

12So Jacob’s sons did as he had charged them.

13They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.

14After Joseph had buried his father, he returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone with him to bury his father.

15When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.”

16So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded,

17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

18His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”

19But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?

20As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

21Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

22Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110.

23He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees.

24Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

25And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

26So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt.

Genesis 50 Verse Notes

Gen 50:20

Suffering can lead to salvation

The narrative of Joseph demonstrates that suffering, even when caused by betrayal and injustice, can be part of God's plan to bring about salvation. Joseph's trials, including being sold into slavery and imprisoned, ultimately position him to save his family and the wider region from famine. This point is powerfully summarized by Joseph's statement to his brothers, acknowledging that what they intended for harm, God intended for good, leading to the preservation of many lives.

Summarized by AI · In the Beginning: History, Legend, and Myth in Genesis · Lecture 5: Moral Lessons in the Stories of the Patriarchs · watch the clip

Salvation Requires Suffering

Biblical narratives demonstrate that salvation often necessitates suffering. Joseph's enslavement and subsequent rise to power in Egypt, though a period of great hardship, was essential for him to save his family from famine, as he himself states that God intended it for good. This foreshadows the Christian belief that Jesus' crucifixion, a horrific suffering, was a necessary act for the salvation of humanity.

Summarized by AI · The Dark Side of Christmas · Lecture 2: Dealing With the Dark Side · watch the clip

Suffering Leading to Ultimate Good

Some biblical narratives, like the story of Joseph in Genesis, illustrate suffering as a catalyst for ultimate good. Joseph's experience of being sold into slavery, though initially horrific, ultimately leads to his rise in Egyptian administration and the salvation of his family and the nation of Israel from starvation. This perspective suggests that God can orchestrate seemingly bad events for a greater, positive outcome.

Summarized by AI · Why I am Not a Christian: How Leaving the Faith Led to Life of More Meaning and Purpose · Lecture 2: My Leaving the Faith | Going Where the “Truth” Leads You · watch the clip

Suffering as a Catalyst for Good

A prominent New Testament view is that God uses suffering to bring about good, a concept central to the Christian message through Jesus' suffering for salvation. This idea is also present in the Hebrew Bible, where negative events ultimately lead to positive outcomes or salvation.

Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · If There Is a God, Why Do We Suffer? · watch the clip

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