Genesis 50:1

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 50:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Joseph fell upon his father`s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Joseph fell upon his father`s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.
Genesis 50:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 50

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Joseph fell upon his father`s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Joseph fell upon his father’s face, etc.] Laid his own face to the cold face and pale cheeks of his dead father, out of his tender affection for him, and grief at parting with him; this shows that Joseph had been present from the time his father sent for him, and all the while he had been blessing the tribes, and giving orders about his funeral: and wept upon him; which to do for and over the dead is neither unlawful nor unbecoming, provided it is not carried to excess, as the instances of David, Christ, and others show: and kissed him; taking his farewell of him, as friends used to do, when parting and going a long journey, as death is. This was practised by Heathens, who had a notion…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“MOURNING FOR JACOB. (Gen. 50:1-26) Joseph fell upon his father's face, &c.--On him, as the principal member of the family, devolved the duty of closing the eyes of his venerable parent (compare Gen 46:4) and imprinting the farewell kiss.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- The Burial of Jacob 10. אטד 'āṭâd Atad, “the buck-thorn.” 11. מצרים אבל 'ābêl-mı̂tsrayı̂m, Abel-Mitsraim, “mourning of Mizraim,” or meadow of Mizraim. This chapter records the burial of Jacob and the death of Joseph, and so completes the history of the chosen family, and the third bible for the instruction of man. Genesis 50:1-3 After the natural outburst of sorrow for his deceased parent, Joseph gave orders to embalm the body, according to the custom of Egypt. “His servants, the physicians.” As the grand vizier of Egypt, he has physicians in his retinue. The classes and functions of the physicians in Egypt may be learned from Herodotus (ii. 81-86). There were special physicians for…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“50:1-6 As with his father and grandfather, Jacob’s death brought the end of an era.”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification