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Genesis 50:10 - Egyptians join Jacob's mourning?

Genesis 50:10 - בראשית 50:10

Hebrew Text

וַיָּבֹאוּ עַד־גֹּרֶן הָאָטָד אֲשֶׁר בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן וַיִּסְפְּדוּ־שָׁם מִסְפֵּד גָּדוֹל וְכָבֵד מְאֹד וַיַּעַשׂ לְאָבִיו אֵבֶל שִׁבְעַת יָמִים׃

English Translation

And they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Yarden, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father of seven days.

Transliteration

Vayavo'u ad-goren ha'atad asher be'evar hayarden vayispdu-sham misped gadol v'chaved me'od vaya'as le'aviv evel shiv'at yamim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ עַד־גֹּ֣רֶן הָאָטָ֗ד אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וַיִּ֨סְפְּדוּ־שָׁ֔ם מִסְפֵּ֛ד גָּד֥וֹל וְכָבֵ֖ד מְאֹ֑ד וַיַּ֧עַשׂ לְאָבִ֛יו אֵ֖בֶל שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃
וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ עַד־גֹּ֣רֶן הָאָטָ֗ד אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וַיִּ֨סְפְּדוּ־שָׁ֔ם מִסְפֵּ֛ד גָּד֥וֹל וְכָבֵ֖ד מְאֹ֑ד וַיַּ֧עַשׂ לְאָבִ֛יו אֵ֖בֶל שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

Location of Mourning: Goren HaAtad

The verse describes the mourning taking place at Goren HaAtad ("the threshing floor of Atad"), located beyond the Jordan. Rashi (Bereshit 50:10) explains that this place was given this name because the Canaanite kings encircled (atad means "thorn") the funeral bier of Yaakov like a protective hedge of thorns, demonstrating great honor. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 100:11) adds that this was a strategic location where the kings removed their crowns as a sign of mourning, showing the profound respect accorded to Yaakov Avinu.

The Great and Heavy Mourning

The phrase "מִסְפֵּד גָּדוֹל וְכָבֵד מְאֹד" ("a great and very sore lamentation") indicates an extraordinary level of mourning. Ramban (Bereshit 50:10) notes that this was not merely a personal family mourning but a national event, as the Canaanite kings and dignitaries participated. The Sforno explains that the mourning was "great" in duration and "heavy" in intensity, reflecting Yaakov's elevated spiritual stature and his impact on both his family and surrounding nations.

Seven Days of Mourning

The verse concludes with the observance of שִׁבְעַת יָמִים ("seven days") of mourning. The Talmud (Moed Katan 20a) derives from this verse the halachic principle of shivah, the seven-day mourning period observed for close relatives. The Midrash (Tanchuma, Vayechi 17) connects this to the seven days of creation, symbolizing that mourning for a righteous person is as significant as the creation of the world. Additionally, the Rambam (Hilchot Avel 1:1) cites this verse as the biblical source for the mitzvah of mourning.

Significance of the Jordan River

The location "בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן" ("beyond the Jordan") holds symbolic meaning. The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 50:10) suggests that the mourning took place outside Eretz Yisrael to avoid delaying the burial, as the Canaanites would have insisted on lengthy honors if the procession had entered the land. Alternatively, the Or HaChaim explains that the Jordan served as a boundary, emphasizing that even those outside the land recognized Yaakov's greatness.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 13a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the mourning practices for Jacob, particularly the seven days of mourning observed at the threshing floor of Atad.
📖 Moed Katan 20a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws and customs of mourning, specifically the duration of seven days of mourning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the 'threshing floor of Atad' in Genesis 50:10?
A: The threshing floor of Atad was a location beyond the Jordan River where Jacob's family stopped to mourn him. Rashi explains that the name 'Atad' (meaning 'thorn') symbolizes the pain and sorrow of mourning. The threshing floor, a place where grain is separated from chaff, may also hint at the idea of purification through grief.
Q: Why did Joseph and his brothers mourn for seven days?
A: The seven-day mourning period (shiva) for Jacob reflects the traditional Jewish practice of sitting shiva, as derived from this verse. The Talmud (Moed Katan 20a) notes that this established the custom of a seven-day mourning period for close relatives, emphasizing the importance of honoring the deceased and allowing time for grief.
Q: What does the 'great and very sore lamentation' teach us about mourning in Judaism?
A: The intense mourning described ('great and very sore lamentation') shows the deep respect and love Jacob's children had for him. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 100:7) explains that even the Canaanites recognized the significance of this mourning, demonstrating that true grief is visible and heartfelt. Jewish tradition values sincere emotional expression during mourning.
Q: Why did they mourn beyond the Jordan River and not in Egypt?
A: Rashi suggests they stopped beyond the Jordan to avoid mourning in Egypt, where Jacob was not a native. Additionally, the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 100:11) states that they paused there to allow Canaanite kings (who came to pay respects) to join, showing Jacob's honored status even among neighboring nations.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish mourning practices today?
A: This verse is the biblical source for the seven-day shiva period in Jewish law (Rambam, Hilchot Avel 1:1). It teaches that mourning is a structured process, allowing the bereaved to fully express grief while being supported by community—a practice still observed in Orthodox Judaism today.