What does Genesis 50:1 mean?
The previous chapter closed with Jacob's death (Genesis 49:33). Joseph responds with weeping. Though parted for many years, he and Jacob had become close once more after their reunion (Genesis 46:29–30). Hit hard by Jacob's death, Joseph responds in dramatic fashion. Joseph has often cried openly during emotional moments with his family (Genesis 43:30; 45:15).The fact that Joseph was present at his father's death fulfilled God's promise to Jacob. As he left Canaan to move his family to Egypt, God told Jacob, "I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes" (Genesis 46:4).
Genesis 50:1–14 begins with Joseph weeping by his father's deathbed. Jacob is embalmed and an official period of mourning is observed in Egypt. With Pharaoh's blessing and a large company of Egyptian mourners, Jacob's sons travel to Canaan. There, as requested, they bury their father in the family tomb, alongside Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob's wife Leah. Then they all return to Egypt.
Genesis 50 begins with Joseph's weeping over his father's body, followed by the embalming of Jacob, a 70–day period of state mourning, and a trip to Canaan to bury Jacob with his fathers. Joseph's brothers, worried that he would take his revenge on them for selling him into slavery, seek Joseph's forgiveness. He assures them he will not harm them. The chapter skips to the end of Joseph's life. After assuring his people that God will return them to Canaan one day, Joseph dies and is embalmed.
