King James Version

What Does Genesis 50:11 Mean?

Genesis 50:11 in the King James Version says “And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievo...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which is beyond Jordan. Abelmizraim: that is, The mourning of the Egyptians”

Genesis 50:11 · KJV

Context

9

And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.

10

And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

11

And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which is beyond Jordan. Abelmizraim: that is, The mourning of the Egyptians

12

And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:

13

For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

Read Genesis 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they sa... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Jacob's Death and Burial emerge from this passage?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיַּ֡רְא1 of 22

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יוֹשֵׁב֩2 of 22

“And when the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָ֨רֶץ3 of 22

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֜י4 of 22

“the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

אֶת5 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֵֽבֶל6 of 22

“mourning”

H60

lamentation

בְּגֹ֙רֶן֙7 of 22

“in the floor”

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

הָֽאָטָ֔ד8 of 22

“of Atad”

H329

a thorn-tree (especially the buckthorn)

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ9 of 22

“they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵֽבֶל10 of 22

“mourning”

H60

lamentation

כָּבֵ֥ד11 of 22

“This is a grievous”

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

זֶ֖ה12 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְמִצְרָ֑יִם13 of 22
H4713

a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim

עַל14 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֞ן15 of 22
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָרָ֤א16 of 22

“was called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמָהּ֙17 of 22

“wherefore the name of it”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אָבֵ֣ל18 of 22
H0
מִצְרַ֔יִם19 of 22

“Abelmizraim”

H67

abel-mitsrajim, a place in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֖ר20 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּעֵ֥בֶר21 of 22

“which is beyond”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃22 of 22

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 50:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 50:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 10:15-19Genesis 24:61 Samuel 6:18Deuteronomy 11:30Genesis 50:10Deuteronomy 3:25

Places in This Verse

Abel-mizraimSettlement · Modern: near the mouth of the Jordan River · 31.91°N, 35.53°E1 verse across 1 book
AtadSettlement · Modern: near the mouth of the Jordan River · 31.91°N, 35.53°E2 verses across 1 book
JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Genesis 50 →

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