Genesis 50:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years.

NIV: Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father's family. He lived a hundred and ten years

NASB: Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived 110 years.

CSB: Joseph and his father's family remained in Egypt. Joseph lived 110 years.

NLT: So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110.

KJV: And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.

NKJV: So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.

This is the closing passage of the book of Genesis. It concludes Joseph's story, as well. Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers—willingness to be used by God to save instead of harm them for their evil against him—has led to this quiet moment in Israel's history. Jacob's twelve sons are united and their tribes are thriving and expanding. This is in the land of Goshen, in Egypt (Genesis 47:4–6, 11–12). Of course, God's promise is that Jacob's offspring will one day possess the land of Canaan (Genesis 17:5–8). That time is not yet, but Joseph clearly anticipates it (Genesis 50:24).

Jacob—the man God named Israel (Genesis 35:10–11)—has died in Egypt (Genesis 49:33). Now his son, Joseph, will die as well, at the age of 110 years old. Jacob made explicit requests not to be buried in Egypt (Genesis 49:29–30). Joseph's request will be less immediate, but no less important (Genesis 50:25).

Genesis 50:22–26 finds Joseph at the very end of his life. He is 110 years old and has lived to see his great-great-grandchildren. Before he dies, he assures his family that God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still hold true. God will visit them and bring them to Canaan. Joseph makes his family swear to carry his remains back to the Promised Land, one day. After Joseph dies, his body is embalmed and placed in a coffin.

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.

After settling in Egypt, under his son's protection (Genesis 47—49), Jacob dies (Genesis 49:33). He is embalmed and all of Egypt mourns. Joseph buries his father in the family tomb in Canaan, then returns to Egypt. He asks that his body be taken back to Canaan someday. This sets up the events of the book of Exodus. Over centuries, Israel will grow into a prosperous people, only to be enslaved by a jealous Egyptian monarchy. This provides a context for God to rescue Israel and demonstrate His power.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/7/2024 6:24:46 PM