Bible Commentaries

Here is a triple obligation upon Joseph:

1. His duty to fulfil the will of the dead.

2. The obedience which he owed to his father’s command.

3. The the of a solemn oath: all which had weight even with the heathens, and were so many arguments to Pharaoh and his courtiers.

In my grave which I have digged for me, according to the manner of those ancient and succeeding times. See 2 Chronicles 16:14 Isaiah 22:16 Matthew 27:60. In that large cave which Abraham bought for a burying-place for his family, Jacob had digged a particular and small cell or repository for himself, as others did after him upon the like occasion. And this reason is prudently added, to show that this desire proceeded not from any contempt of Pharaoh or his land, but from that common and customary desire of persons of all ages and nations to be buried in their fathers’ sepulchres.

The heathens by the light of nature discovered the sacredness of an oath, and the wickedness of perjury.

All the servants, i.e. a great number of them, as that word is understood, Matthew 3:5, and oft elsewhere. For many of them were aged and infirm, and many could not be spared from their attendance at court, or upon their employments, &c.

The servants of Pharaoh were courtiers of an inferior rank;

the elders of his house, the chief officers, and under him governors of his family and councils, who used to reside at or near the court;

and the elders of the land, the great officers civil and military, whose places of habitation and command were dispersed in the several parts of the land.

And such as were necessary to take care of them, which must needs be understood.

Chariots and horsemen, for their defence, in case of any opposition.

No text from Poole on this verse.

Atad, a man so called; or, of thorn, or thorns, as the word signifies, Judges 9:14 Psalm 58:9. So it might be a place either abounding or encompassed with thorns.

Beyond, or on this side; for the word signifies both, and it may be taken either way here; the one in respect of Egypt, the other in regard of the place in which Moses wrote. It is certain they fetched a great compass, whether for the commodiousness of the way for their chariots, and for conveniences for so great a company, or to prevent all jealousies in the people, as if they came thither with ill design, is not material.

There they mourned, because there was the entrance into that country or territory where he was to be buried. Though the Egyptians were not much grieved nor concerned for Jacob’s death, yet they used bitter cries and lamentations, which possibly were made or aggravated by persons hired and used upon such occasions. See Jeremiah 9:17.

Seven days, according to the custom. See 1 Samuel 31:13.

No text from Poole on this verse.

No text from Poole on this verse.