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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/50.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/50.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So they sent word to Joseph, saying, &#8220Your father left these instructions before he died:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/50.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/50.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/50.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/50.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/50.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they sent <i>messengers</i> to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/50.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they sent instructions to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded <i>us</i> before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/50.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, &#8220Your father charged before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/50.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So they sent <i>a message</i> to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/50.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So they sent <i>a message</i> to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/50.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they sent <i>word</i> to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded us before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/50.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they sent this message to Joseph, “Before he died your father gave a command:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/50.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they sent this message to Joseph, &#8220Before he died your father gave a command: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/50.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/50.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So they sent this message to Joseph: Before our father died, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/50.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/50.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They sent a messenger to Joseph to say, "Before your father died, he commanded us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/50.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So they sent a message to Joseph: "Before our father died, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/50.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So they sent this message to Joseph: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/50.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ?Before he died, your father commanded,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/50.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave these instructions before he died:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/50.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/50.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, Thy father commanded before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/50.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/50.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they give a charge for Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before his death, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/50.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they give a charge for Joseph, saying, 'Thy father commanded before his death, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/50.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will come forth to Joseph, saying, Thy father commanded before his death, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/50.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they sent a message to him, saying: Thy father commanded us before he died, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/50.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So they sent a message to him, saying: “Your father instructed us before he died,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/50.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So they sent to Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/50.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/50.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So they came to Joseph and said to him, Your father did command before he died, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/50.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they visited and they came near to Yoseph, and they said to him, “Your father commanded before his death and said:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/50.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying: 'Thy father did command before he died, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/50.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they came to Joseph, and said, Thy father adjured <i>us</i> before his death, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/50-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=13206" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/50.htm">Joseph Comforts His Brothers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15</span>When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: way·ṣaw·wū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">So they sent word</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Joseph,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">“Before</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mō·w·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">he died,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your father</a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">commanded,</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-4.htm">Genesis 45:4-5</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Genesis 37:28</a></span><br />So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21-22</a></span><br />Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18-34</a></span><br />Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. / My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ / And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-3.htm">Genesis 45:3</a></span><br />Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Genesis 50:17-18</a></span><br />‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/10-16.htm">Exodus 10:16-17</a></span><br />Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. / Now please forgive my sin once more and appeal to the LORD your God, that He may remove this death from me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17-19</a></span><br />and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. / When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21</a></span><br />Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-19.htm">2 Samuel 19:19-20</a></span><br />and said, “My lord, do not hold me guilty, and do not remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart. / For your servant knows that I have sinned, so here I am today as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a></span><br />Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23-24</a></span><br />So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-3.htm">Luke 17:3-4</a></span><br />Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Luke 23:34</a></span><br />Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-10</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they sent a messenger to Joseph, saying, Your father did command before he died, saying,</p><p class="hdg">sent.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/29-25.htm">Proverbs 29:25</a></b></br> The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/47-6.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/genesis/50-12.htm">Charged</a> <a href="/genesis/45-21.htm">Command</a> <a href="/genesis/50-12.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/48-7.htm">Died</a> <a href="/genesis/49-33.htm">Instructions</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Message</a> <a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/genesis/32-6.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/genesis/50-12.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/genesis/48-1.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/1-22.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/exodus/1-22.htm">Charged</a> <a href="/exodus/6-13.htm">Command</a> <a href="/exodus/1-17.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/genesis/50-24.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/50-26.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/12-24.htm">Instructions</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Message</a> <a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/exodus/1-22.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/genesis/50-25.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 50</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-1.htm">The mourning for Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-4.htm">Joseph gets leave of Pharaoh to go to bury him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-7.htm">The funeral.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Joseph comforts his brothers, who crave his pardon.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-22.htm">His age.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">He sees the third generation of his sons.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-24.htm">He prophesies unto his brothers of their return.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-25.htm">He takes an oath of them concerning his bones.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/50-26.htm">He dies, and is put into a coffin.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/50.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/50.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So they sent word to Joseph, saying,</b><br>This phrase indicates a communication method used by Joseph's brothers, reflecting the cultural practices of the time where direct confrontation might be avoided in favor of sending messages. This approach shows their fear and uncertainty about Joseph's reaction after Jacob's death. It highlights the ongoing tension and lack of trust within the family, despite Joseph's previous forgiveness. The act of sending a message rather than speaking directly can be seen as a strategic move to ensure their safety and to appeal to Joseph's sense of duty and family loyalty.<p><b>“Before he died,</b><br>This phrase sets the timing of the command, emphasizing the importance of a patriarch's last words in ancient Near Eastern culture. A father's dying wishes were considered binding and carried significant weight, often seen as a final testament or blessing. This context underscores the seriousness with which the brothers present their message, attempting to invoke Jacob's authority to influence Joseph's actions.<p><b>your father commanded,</b><br>The use of "your father" rather than "our father" may be an attempt to personalize the message and appeal to Joseph's filial duty. It suggests a strategic emphasis on Joseph's relationship with Jacob, possibly to remind him of his father's love and expectations. This phrase also reflects the hierarchical family structure, where the father's commands were expected to be obeyed by all family members. The invocation of Jacob's command serves to legitimize the brothers' request and to remind Joseph of the family unity and reconciliation that Jacob desired.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The eleventh son of Jacob, who rose to power in Egypt and saved his family from famine. He is a central figure in the account of Genesis, known for his faithfulness and forgiveness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a></b><br>The father of Joseph and his brothers, who had passed away by this point in the account. His death prompts the brothers to seek reconciliation with Joseph.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>The sons of Jacob who had previously sold Joseph into slavery. They are now seeking forgiveness and assurance of safety after their father's death.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where Joseph rose to power and where Jacob's family settled during the famine. It serves as the backdrop for the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_message.htm">The Message</a></b><br>The brothers send a message to Joseph, invoking their father's command, as a means to secure their safety and forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_forgiveness.htm">The Power of Forgiveness</a></b><br>Joseph's willingness to forgive his brothers, despite their past wrongs, exemplifies the transformative power of forgiveness. As believers, we are called to forgive others as Christ forgave us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Joseph's life demonstrates a deep trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem dire. We are encouraged to trust God's sovereignty in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_peace.htm">Reconciliation and Peace</a></b><br>The brothers' plea for forgiveness highlights the importance of seeking reconciliation and living at peace with others, as much as it depends on us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_family.htm">The Role of Family</a></b><br>The account underscores the significance of family relationships and the need for healing and unity within the family unit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_legacy_of_a_godly_life.htm">The Legacy of a Godly Life</a></b><br>Jacob's influence continues even after his death, reminding us of the lasting impact of a godly life on future generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_50.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 50</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_grudges.htm">What does the Bible say about holding grudges?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_joseph_rise_to_power_in_egypt.htm">How did Joseph rise to power in Egypt?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_gen_50_2-3_align_with_egyptian_embalming.htm">Does the claim in Genesis 50:2-3 that Jacob was embalmed for forty days align with known Egyptian practices, or does it conflict with historical records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_grudges.htm">What does the Bible say about holding grudges?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/50.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16, 17) <span class= "bld">Thy father did command . . . --</span>Many Jewish expositors consider that this was untrue, and that Jacob was never made aware of the fact that his brethren had sold Joseph into slavery. It is, however, probable, from <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm" title="O my soul, come not you into their secret; to their assembly, my honor, be not you united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they dig down a wall.">Genesis 49:6</a>, that Jacob not only knew of it, but saw in Simeon and Levi the chief offenders. But besides the father's authority the message brings a twofold influence to bear upon Joseph: for first it reminds him that they were his brethren, and next, that they shared the same religious faith--no slight band of union in a country where the religion was so unlike their own.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/50.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 16, 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And</span> (under these erroneous though not unnatural apprehensions) <span class="cmt_word">they sent a messenger unto Joseph</span>, - literally, <span class="accented">they charged Joseph, i.e.</span> they deputed one of their number (possibly Benjamin) to carry their desires to Joseph - <span class="cmt_word">saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying</span> (though not recorded, the circumstance here mentioned may have been historically true), <span class="cmt_word">So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil</span> (nothing is more inherently probable than that the good man on his death-bed did request his sons to beg their brother's pardon): <span class="cmt_word">and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father</span>. Joseph's brethren in these words at once evince the depth of their humility, the sincerity of their repentance, and the genuineness of their religion. They were God's true servants, and they wished to be forgiven by their much-offended brother, who, however, had long since embraced them in the arms of his affection. <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph wept when they spake unto him</span> - pained that they should for a single moment have enter-rained such suspicions against his love. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/50-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So they sent word</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְצַוּ֕וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ṣaw·wū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joseph,</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he died,</span><br /><span class="heb">מוֹת֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(mō·w·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commanded,</span><br /><span class="heb">צִוָּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣiw·wāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/50-16.htm">Genesis 50:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/50-16.htm">OT Law: Genesis 50:16 They sent a message to Joseph saying (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 50:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 50:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/50-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 50:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 50:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>