Analysis of Genesis Chapter 50
The concluding chapter of Genesis, Chapter 50, wraps up the complex and emotionally charged narrative of the patriarchal family by focusing on the final acts and words of Joseph and his family. This chapter is pivotal as it highlights themes of forgiveness, fulfillment of promises, faithfulness, and the continuation of God’s covenant.
Verses 1-3: Mourning for Jacob
“Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.”
The chapter begins with Joseph’s intense grief over the death of his father, Jacob (also named Israel). Joseph’s reactions—throwing himself on Jacob and weeping—are deeply human expressions of loss and love. His actions reinforce the theme of filial piety that runs throughout the narrative.
Joseph’s decision to embalm Jacob shows his integration into Egyptian society, as embalming was an Egyptian practice. It underscores the influence of Egyptian culture and yet demonstrates respect for his father’s wishes. The mourning period of seventy days by the Egyptians speaks to the respect and high esteem in which Jacob was held, not just by his family, but by the nation that had hosted him in his final years.
Verses 4-6: Request to Bury Jacob in Canaan
“When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, “My father made me swear an oath and said, ‘I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.”’ Pharaoh said, ‘Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.’”
Joseph, displaying diplomacy and respect for authority, approaches Pharaoh’s court to ask for permission to fulfill Jacob’s last wishes. Here, the text illustrates the complex interplay between duties to family and the requirements of life in a foreign land. Moreover, it highlights Joseph’s loyalty to his father and the promise he had made, intertwining family obligations with divine promises.
Pharaoh’s permission to bury Jacob in Canaan signifies respect for Joseph’s integrity and acknowledges the significance of family commitments. This permission not only shows Pharaoh’s favor towards Joseph but also underscores the importance of honoring one’s word and familial vows.
Verses 7-14: The Funeral Procession
“So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt—besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company.”
The text describes a grand funeral procession, reflecting the significant status Jacob and his family had attained in Egypt. This large entourage, including Egyptian dignitaries and an impressive display of chariots and horsemen, underscores the importance of Jacob’s burial and the respect commanded by Joseph and his family.
By noting that only children and livestock were left in Goshen, the narrative creates a sense of security and completeness regarding the traveling party. This large, respectful procession also represents the blending of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures, illustrating the integration of Jacob’s family into Egyptian society while remaining distinct in their heritage.
The burial site choice, Machpelah in Canaan, reiterates the promise and covenant made with Abraham. It’s a poignant return to their ancestral roots, symbolizing the continuity and fulfillment of God’s covenant with the patriarchs.
Verses 15-21: Joseph Reassures His Brothers
“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father left these instructions before he died: “This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.” Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept.”
Joseph’s brothers fear retribution after Jacob’s death, reflecting their own guilt and the ongoing consequence of their past actions against Joseph. Their apprehension reveals their lack of complete trust in Joseph’s forgiveness, highlighting the lingering effects of betrayal and the struggle for reconciliation.
Joseph’s response is profound. His weeping reflects sorrow, possibly over their lack of trust, the pain of the past, and the overwhelming emotion of forgiveness. Joseph reassures them by reaffirming his understanding of God’s sovereign plan:
“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”
This passage encapsulates a key theme of the Joseph narrative: the providence of God. Joseph sees the larger divine purpose in his suffering and subsequent rise to power. By forgiving his brothers, he not only diffuses their fears but also embodies the principle of transformative, gracious leadership.
Verses 22-26: Joseph’s Final Years and Death
“Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.”
The longevity and prosperity of Joseph’s life are emphasized here. His ability to see multiple generations indicates a blessing and continuity of his line, resonating with Old Testament themes of generational blessings and covenant fulfillment.
As Joseph nears death, he continues to demonstrate his unwavering faith in God’s promises:
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, ‘God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.’ So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.”
Joseph’s final words are a testament to his faith. By invoking the covenant promises made to his forefathers, Joseph reinforces the idea of God’s unwavering commitment. The oath he makes them swear about his bones links his life and death to the destiny of his people, prefiguring the Exodus event. In essence, Joseph’s life and death serve as a bridge between the patriarchal narratives and the future fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.
Overall Themes and Significance
1. Forgiveness and Reconciliation
This chapter poignantly addresses themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Joseph’s readiness to forgive his brothers, and his reassurance to them, is a powerful message about overcoming past wrongs for the greater good. His ability to see God’s hand in the events of his life serves as an instructive model for readers on the importance of grace and mercy.
2. Faithfulness to Promises and Covenants
The chapter emphasizes the importance of keeping promises, whether it’s Joseph fulfilling his father’s burial wishes, or his brothers seeking his forgiveness as per Jacob’s supposed instructions. Moreover, Joseph’s deathbed invocation of the divine promise links the narrative to the larger story of God’s covenant with Israel, bridging past, present, and future.
3. The Sovereignty and Providence of God
Joseph’s recognition of God’s sovereignty—understanding that what his brothers meant for harm, God intended for good—illustrates a deep theological truth about divine providence. This acknowledgment of God’s control and benevolent purposes even in suffering is a core message that resonates throughout Scripture.
4. Life’s Temporal and Eternal Aspects
The chronicling of Jacob’s and Joseph’s burials serves as a meditation on mortality, legacy, and the continuation of God’s promises beyond an individual’s life. The embalming procedures, grand funeral processions, and the concern for proper burial places emphasize the transient nature of life and underscore the importance of faith and heritage.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 50 beautifully closes the Book of Genesis by weaving together the themes of forgiveness, promises, and divine sovereignty. It offers readers a multifaceted portrait of Joseph—his profound humanity in grief and forgiveness, his faithfulness to family and promises, and his unwavering trust in God’s providence. Through the detailed narrative of Jacob’s burial and Joseph’s final acts, the chapter lays a foundational understanding of faith, family, and the continuation of God’s covenant that prepares the way for the unfolding biblical narrative in Exodus and beyond.
