Genesis 50:2 - Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 50:2" mean?
This verse from Genesis 50:2 describes the process of embalming Jacob (also called Israel) after his death. Let's break it down:
"Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians...": Joseph, being a powerful figure in Egypt, had authority to give orders to servants. In this context, the "physicians" are likely Egyptian embalmers. Embalming was a common practice in ancient Egypt, associated with beliefs about the afterlife. It was a specialized skill, and those who practiced it were considered experts.
"...to embalm his father...": Joseph wanted to preserve his father's body. This wasn't a typical Hebrew practice at the time. The motivation could have been a combination of honoring his father, adhering to Egyptian customs due to his high status, or believing that embalming was necessary for transporting Jacob's body back to Canaan for burial in his family's tomb.
"...and the physicians embalmed Israel.": This confirms that the embalming process was carried out by the Egyptian physicians on Jacob's body. The verse repeats "Israel" to emphasize that this was a significant person being treated with this important process.
In summary, the verse highlights Joseph's authority and his decision to have his father Jacob embalmed according to Egyptian customs, likely to honor him and facilitate his eventual burial in the land of Canaan. It's a significant departure from typical Hebrew burial practices of the time and underscores Joseph's influence and position in Egyptian society.
Genesis 50:2 - Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel.
What does "Genesis 50:2" mean?
This verse from Genesis 50:2 describes the process of embalming Jacob (also called Israel) after his death. Let's break it down:
"Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians...": Joseph, being a powerful figure in Egypt, had authority to give orders to servants. In this context, the "physicians" are likely Egyptian embalmers. Embalming was a common practice in ancient Egypt, associated with beliefs about the afterlife. It was a specialized skill, and those who practiced it were considered experts.
"...to embalm his father...": Joseph wanted to preserve his father's body. This wasn't a typical Hebrew practice at the time. The motivation could have been a combination of honoring his father, adhering to Egyptian customs due to his high status, or believing that embalming was necessary for transporting Jacob's body back to Canaan for burial in his family's tomb.
"...and the physicians embalmed Israel.": This confirms that the embalming process was carried out by the Egyptian physicians on Jacob's body. The verse repeats "Israel" to emphasize that this was a significant person being treated with this important process.
In summary, the verse highlights Joseph's authority and his decision to have his father Jacob embalmed according to Egyptian customs, likely to honor him and facilitate his eventual burial in the land of Canaan. It's a significant departure from typical Hebrew burial practices of the time and underscores Joseph's influence and position in Egyptian society.