King James Version

What Does Genesis 50:4 Mean?

Genesis 50:4 in the King James Version says “And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace i...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Genesis 50:4 · KJV

GracePrayer

Context

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.

6

And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.

Read Genesis 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now ... 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 this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּֽעַבְרוּ֙1 of 19

“were past”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

יְמֵ֣י2 of 19

“And when the 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

בְכִית֔וֹ3 of 19

“of his mourning”

H1068

a weeping

דַּבְּרוּ4 of 19

“spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יוֹסֵ֔ף5 of 19

“Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶל6 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֥ית7 of 19

“unto the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

פַרְעֹ֖ה8 of 19

“of Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

לֵאמֹֽר׃9 of 19

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם10 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נָ֨א11 of 19
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מָצָ֤אתִי12 of 19

“If now I have found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵן֙13 of 19

“grace”

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם14 of 19

“in your eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

דַּבְּרוּ15 of 19

“spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

נָ֕א16 of 19
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

בְּאָזְנֵ֥י17 of 19

“I pray you in the ears”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

פַרְעֹ֖ה18 of 19

“of Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

לֵאמֹֽר׃19 of 19

“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 50:4 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 50:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 18:3Esther 4:2

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