Genesis 50:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Book of Genesis does not provide details regarding the later events in Joseph's life; it suggests that his years were peaceful and uneventful. The Scripture indicates that Joseph lived his remaining days in Egypt, witnessed the offspring of Ephraim, and observed the sons of Machir, the firstborn of Manasseh, before passing away at the age of one hundred ten.

Joseph lived for a century and ten years. He arrived in Egypt at the age of seventeen and, by the time he was thirty, he stood before Pharaoh to interpret dreams. At eighty, he had authority over all of Egypt. He faced significant trials, enduring the betrayal of his brothers, captivity, false accusations from an immoral woman, and hardships in prison; yet these challenges were brief compared to the duration of his exaltation. For his greater solace, he lived to experience the fulfillment of the blessings promised to those who revere and love the Lord—he witnessed the birth of his great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Of his great-grandchildren, it is noted, 'they were born at his thighs,’ indicating that after their birth, he lovingly received them into his embrace, nurturing them as though they were his own (compare Genesis 30:2).