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Genesis 50:7 - Egypt honors Jacob's burial

Genesis 50:7 - בראשית 50:7

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעַל יוֹסֵף לִקְבֹּר אֶת־אָבִיו וַיַּעֲלוּ אִתּוֹ כָּל־עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה זִקְנֵי בֵיתוֹ וְכֹל זִקְנֵי אֶרֶץ־מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And Yosef went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Par῾o, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Va'ya'al Yosef likbor et-aviv va'ya'alu ito kol-avdei Par'o ziknei veito ve'chol ziknei eretz Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֥עַל יוֹסֵ֖ף לִקְבֹּ֣ר אֶת־אָבִ֑יו וַיַּֽעֲל֨וּ אִתּ֜וֹ כׇּל־עַבְדֵ֤י פַרְעֹה֙ זִקְנֵ֣י בֵית֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל זִקְנֵ֥י אֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיַּ֥עַל יוֹסֵ֖ף לִקְבֹּ֣ר אֶת־אָבִ֑יו וַיַּֽעֲל֨וּ אִתּ֜וֹ כׇּל־עַבְדֵ֤י פַרְעֹה֙ זִקְנֵ֣י בֵית֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל זִקְנֵ֥י אֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Significance of Yosef's Burial Procession

The verse describes the grand procession accompanying Yosef to bury his father Yaakov in the land of Canaan. The participation of Pharaoh's servants, the elders of his household, and the elders of Egypt highlights the immense honor accorded to Yaakov. Rashi (Bereshit 50:7) explains that this demonstrates how the Egyptians recognized Yaakov's righteousness and the divine blessing he brought to Egypt during the famine. The presence of Egyptian nobility also fulfilled the prophecy given to Avraham in Bereshit 15:14 that his descendants would leave Egypt with great wealth - this honor foreshadowed that eventual exodus.

The Role of Egyptian Dignitaries

The Midrash (Tanchuma Vayechi 16) notes that the Egyptian participation wasn't merely ceremonial. The Talmud (Sotah 13a) states that the Egyptian elders actually accompanied the procession all the way to Canaan, not just to the border. This extraordinary measure was taken because:

  • They sought to honor Yosef, who had saved Egypt from famine
  • They recognized Yaakov's unique spiritual stature
  • They wanted to ensure the fulfillment of Yosef's oath to bury his father in Canaan

Spiritual Dimensions of the Event

The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:48) sees in this event a demonstration of how even non-Jews can recognize true righteousness. The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 50:7) adds that the Egyptian participation served to publicize the honor of the Jewish people and their ancestral covenant with the land of Canaan. This public display helped establish the Jewish claim to the land for future generations.

Halachic Insights

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 357:1) derives from this verse that it is proper to accompany the dead for burial, as even the Egyptians recognized this important mitzvah. The participation of Egyptian leadership sets a precedent for the importance of honoring the deceased, particularly righteous individuals. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) notes that the verse emphasizes "all" the elders to teach that honoring the righteous should involve the entire community's participation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Pharaoh's servants and the elders of Egypt go with Yosef to bury Yaakov?
A: According to Rashi (Genesis 50:7), Pharaoh's officials and Egyptian elders accompanied Yosef to show honor to Yaakov (Jacob) because Yosef was highly respected in Egypt. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 100:7) explains that this demonstrated the fulfillment of Yaakov's blessing that his descendants would be 'a congregation of nations' (Genesis 48:4), as even Egyptians paid him respect.
Q: What can we learn from Yosef burying his father Yaakov?
A: The Talmud (Kiddushin 31b) teaches that honoring one's parents is a fundamental mitzvah (commandment), and Yosef's actions demonstrate this principle. Even though Yosef was second to Pharaoh in Egypt, he personally oversaw his father's burial. Rambam (Hilchot Avel 14:1) cites this as an example of the importance of proper burial and honoring parents even after their passing.
Q: Why is this burial procession described in such detail in the Torah?
A: The Torah emphasizes this grand procession to show the fulfillment of Hashem's promise that Yaakov's family would be respected in Egypt (Genesis 46:3-4). Additionally, the Sforno (Genesis 50:7) notes that this public honor helped establish the Israelites' status in Egypt, which was important for their future as a nation. The large Egyptian delegation also showed that Yaakov was recognized as a righteous man even by non-Jews.