King James Version

What Does Genesis 50:16 Mean?

Genesis 50:16 in the King James Version says “And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, sent: Heb. charged” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, sent: Heb. charged”

Genesis 50:16 · KJV

Context

14

And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.

15

And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

16

And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, sent: Heb. charged

17

So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

18

And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,... 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. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
צִוָּ֔ה1 of 9

“And they sent a messenger”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶל2 of 9
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יוֹסֵ֖ף3 of 9

“unto Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

לֵאמֹֽר׃4 of 9

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָבִ֣יךָ5 of 9

“Thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

צִוָּ֔ה6 of 9

“And they sent a messenger”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לִפְנֵ֥י7 of 9

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מוֹת֖וֹ8 of 9

“he died”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

לֵאמֹֽר׃9 of 9

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 50:16 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 50:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 29:25

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