And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which is beyond Jordan.

GENESIS 50:11KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 50:11 (KJV)

What does Genesis 50:11 mean?

Genesis 50:11 describes how the local Canaanite people noticed the intense mourning of Joseph and his Egyptian entourage at the threshing floor of Atad, and they remarked on how great the Egyptians’ grief was. Because of this, the place was named Abelmizraim, meaning “mourning of Egypt,” and it is noted as being beyond the Jordan River.

In this scene, Joseph and his brothers are carrying out Jacob’s funeral procession, accompanied by many Egyptians, to bury their father as he requested. The Canaanites (the people living in the land at that time) observe the large, public display of mourning and are struck by its scale and intensity. The naming of the place, Abelmizraim, marks this event as significant not just for Jacob’s family, but as something that made an impression on the surrounding people.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 50:11

  • אֵ֣בֶל מִצְרַיִם (’Avel Mitzrayim, Abelmizraim): This name means “mourning of Egypt.” The word אֵ֣בֶל (’avel) refers to mourning or lamentation, and מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim) is Egypt. The name highlights how the Egyptians’ grief was so noticeable that it became the defining feature of the place.
  • גּוֹרֶן (goren, “floor”): This refers to a threshing floor, a flat area used for processing grain. Mentioning the “floor of Atad” situates the event in a public, open space, making the mourning visible to passersby.
  • כְּנַעֲנִי (Kena‘ani, “Canaanites”): The verse specifically notes that the local inhabitants, the Canaanites, witnessed the event, emphasizing that this was a cross-cultural encounter and not just a private family affair.

Why Genesis 50:11 matters

  • Genesis 50:11 shows that Jacob’s death and the mourning for him had an impact beyond his immediate family, drawing the attention of the local population and even influencing the naming of a place.
  • The verse highlights the prominence and respect Joseph and his family held in Egypt, as the Egyptians’ mourning was significant enough to be noticed by the Canaanites.
  • This moment connects the story of Jacob’s burial to the broader narrative of Israel’s relationship with the peoples of Canaan and Egypt, showing how their actions were visible and memorable to those around them.

Where else these words appear

“Atad” Hebrew H329 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Judges 9:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
  • Judges 9:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

“mourning” Hebrew H60 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
  • Esther 9:22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
  • Jeremiah 16:7 Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.

“floor” Hebrew H1637 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • 1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

“grievous” Hebrew H3515 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Exodus 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
  • 2 Kings 6:14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.