Verse 1

wept. See note on Genesis 42:24.

Verse 2

Israel. See notes on Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:8; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28.

Verse 3

for so, &c. Israelites never embalmed. Hence the need of this parenthetical explanation.

Verse 4

Joseph spake. He could not speak before, for, in mourning, Egyptians never shaved, and Joseph, therefore, was not presentable. See on Genesis 41:14.

Verse 5

digged. Hence, probably rock-hewn.

Verses 7-10

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), emphasizing each party.

Verse 11

Atad. Probably named after the owner, as 2 Samuel 6:6, "Nachon"s"; 2 Samuel 24:16, "Araunah"s".

Abel-mizraim = the mourning of the Egyptians.

Verse 13

his sons . . . buried him. See note on Acts 7:16.

bought. Compare Genesis 23:10.

Verse 15

The final section of Genesis.

Verse 17

Joseph wept. See note on Genesis 42:24.

Verse 18

fell down. Compare Genesis 37:7-10.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

Verse 19

am I, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. Septuagint reads "I am in the place of God". The Syriac and Arab, read "I fear God".

Verse 20

God meant it, &c. Compare Psalms 105:17. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

alive. See on Genesis 45:5.

Verse 21

kindly. Hebrew spake unto their hearts.

Verse 23

Machir. Compare Numbers 26:29; Numbers 32:39. Joshua 17:1.

brought up, &c. Hebrew born. See Genesis 30:3, i.e., were adopted by him as soon as they were born.

Verse 24

surely visit you. (Exodus 3:16.) Figure of speech Polyptoton. Hebrew "visiting will visit you"; used for great emphasis. See note on Genesis 26:28. This was the faith of Joseph referred to in Hebrews 11:22. He had "heard" (Romans 10:17) and believed what God had said to Abraham. Genesis 12:7; Genesis 15:18; Genesis 13:14, Genesis 13:15; Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 26:4; James 28:13; James 35:12; James 48:1-4. All three names are united and discriminated in Exodus 2:24; Exodus 3:6. Psalms 105:9, Psalms 105:10. And compare Exodus 6:3, Exodus 6:4. Deuteronomy 11:21. Luke 1:72, Luke 1:73, &c.

Verse 25

carry up my bones from hence. Which they did. See Exodus 13:19. Joshua 24:32. So Jacob had charged them. Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:30, and so they had done, Genesis 50:7-13.

hence. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Syriac, and one printed edition (1494), add "with you".

Verse 26

a coffin. Thus the book of Genesis begins with God, and ends with man. It begins with the creation of the heavens above, and ends with "a coffin in Egypt".