And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.

GENESIS 50:1KJV
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Genesis 50:1 (KJV)

What does Genesis 50:1 mean?

Genesis 50:1 describes Joseph grieving deeply over the death of his father, Jacob. Joseph falls onto his father's face, weeps over him, and kisses him, showing a moment of intense personal sorrow and affection.

Joseph is present at his father's deathbed, and this verse captures his immediate response to Jacob's passing. The scene is intimate and emotional, highlighting Joseph's love and respect for his father. This act also sets the stage for the events that follow, where Joseph will arrange for Jacob's burial in accordance with his wishes.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 50:1

  • "fell" (נָפַל, nāphal): This word often means to fall or collapse, but here it emphasizes Joseph’s physical closeness and emotional collapse as he leans over his father’s body, expressing deep grief.
  • "wept" (בָּכָה, bākhāh): This word means to cry or mourn, and it is used here to show that Joseph’s sorrow was open and heartfelt, not hidden or restrained.
  • "kissed" (נָשַׁק, nāshaq): This word means to kiss, often as a sign of love or respect. Joseph’s kiss is a final gesture of affection, marking the end of his father’s life.

Why Genesis 50:1 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Joseph was emotionally distant; it shows him as a son who feels and expresses deep love and loss.
  • The verse emphasizes the strong family bonds in Genesis, especially between Joseph and Jacob, which is important for understanding the motivations behind Joseph’s actions in the rest of the chapter.
  • By describing Joseph’s actions in detail, the verse prepares the reader for the significant mourning and burial practices that follow, highlighting the importance of honoring the dead in ancient Israelite culture.

Where else these words appear

“kissed” Hebrew H5401 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
  • Exodus 18:7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

“wept” Hebrew H1058 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Judges 21:2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
  • Esther 8:3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.