King James Version

What Does Genesis 50:7 Mean?

Genesis 50:7 in the King James Version says “And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and al...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,”

Genesis 50:7 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,

8

And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen.

9

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

Read Genesis 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders ... 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 can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיַּֽעֲל֨וּ1 of 16

“and with him went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

יוֹסֵ֖ף2 of 16

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

לִקְבֹּ֣ר3 of 16

“to bury”

H6912

to inter

אֶת4 of 16
H853

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

אָבִ֑יו5 of 16

“his father”

H1

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

וַיַּֽעֲל֨וּ6 of 16

“and with him went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אִתּ֜וֹ7 of 16
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

כָּל8 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַבְדֵ֤י9 of 16

“all the servants”

H5650

a servant

פַרְעֹה֙10 of 16

“of Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

זִקְנֵ֥י11 of 16

“and all the elders”

H2205

old

בֵית֔וֹ12 of 16

“of his house”

H1004

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

וְכֹ֖ל13 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זִקְנֵ֥י14 of 16

“and all the elders”

H2205

old

אֶֽרֶץ15 of 16

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃16 of 16

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 50:7 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 50:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 14:16

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 50 →

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