Genesis 50:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider the fervor exhibited by the Egyptians in honor of Joseph. They unite with Joseph, creating 'a great multitude.'

Joseph, accompanied by the leaders of Egypt and the entire household of his father, laid Jacob to rest alongside his ancestors.

During the burial procession for Jacob, along with Joseph's family and his relatives, numerous dignitaries attended to show their respect, including all the servants of Pharaoh—denoting the court officials—and the leaders of his household, which refers to the heads of those officials, as well as all the elders of Egypt, indicating the high-ranking officials who represented the various governmental and civil institutions of the land. The journey to Canaan was solely for the purpose of interring Jacob's body, without the intention of relocating his descendants to that region, thus they deemed it unnecessary to bring livestock along. Additionally, as the Hebrew text indicates, their young children stayed behind in Egypt.