King James Version

What Does Genesis 50:3 Mean?

Genesis 50:3 in the King James Version says “And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mour...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. mourned: Heb. wept”

Genesis 50:3 · KJV

Context

1

And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.

2

And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.

3

And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. mourned: Heb. wept

4

And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,

5

My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.

Read Genesis 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: an... 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. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
יִמְלְא֖וּ1 of 14

“for him for so are fulfilled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

לוֹ֙2 of 14
H0
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים3 of 14

“And forty”

H705

forty

יֽוֹם׃4 of 14

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כִּ֛י5 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֵּ֥ן6 of 14
H3651

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

יִמְלְא֖וּ7 of 14

“for him for so are fulfilled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יֽוֹם׃8 of 14

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַֽחֲנֻטִ֑ים9 of 14

“of those which are embalmed”

H2590

to spice; by implication, to embalm; also to ripen

וַיִּבְכּ֥וּ10 of 14

“mourned”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

אֹת֛וֹ11 of 14
H853

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

מִצְרַ֖יִם12 of 14

“and the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

שִׁבְעִ֥ים13 of 14

“for him threescore and ten”

H7657

seventy

יֽוֹם׃14 of 14

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

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 50:3 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 50:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 20:29Deuteronomy 34:8Genesis 50:10Deuteronomy 21:13

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