Genesis 50:11 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The local Canaanites witness the funeral rites and rename the place Abelmizraim (Abel-Mizraim), meaning 'mourning of the Egyptians.'
The Context of Genesis 50:11
Place names in ancient Near Eastern cultures often commemorated important historical events.
What Does Genesis 50:11 Mean?
The Canaanites recognized the scale and intensity of the mourning ceremony and were moved by it. Their naming of the location 'Abel-Mizraim' (mourning of Egypt) preserved the memory of this extraordinary event for future generations.
This shows how Joseph's family and the Egyptian entourage made such an impression that the land itself was renamed. The event became historically significant enough to mark the geography, indicating the weight and visibility of Jacob's funeral procession.
Genesis 50:11 in the Original Language
Abel (אָבֵל), 'mourning' — from a root meaning to mourn or lament; Mizraim (מִצְרַיִם), 'Egypt'.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 50:11
What does Genesis 50:11 mean?
The local Canaanites witness the funeral rites and rename the place Abelmizraim (Abel-Mizraim), meaning 'mourning of the Egyptians.'
What is the context of Genesis 50:11?
Place names in ancient Near Eastern cultures often commemorated important historical events.