Genesis 50:20
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As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Now therefore, fear ye not,.... Which, is repeated to dispossess them of every fear they might entertain of him on any account whatever: I will nourish you, and your little ones; provide food for them, and their families, not only for themselves and their sons, now grown up, but their grandchildren and even the youngest and latest of their families should share in his favours: and he comforted them, and spake kindly to them; even "to their heart" (w); such things as were quite pleasing and agreeable to them, served to banish their fears, revive their spirits, and afford comfort to them. Just so God and Christ do with backsliding sinners, and would have done with his own people by his servants; see Isa 40:1. (w) "ad cor eorum", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius, &c.
Open source ↗Burial of Jacob. - Gen 50:1-3. When Jacob died, Joseph fell upon the face of his beloved father, wept over him, and kissed him. He then gave the body to the physicians to be embalmed, according to the usual custom in Egypt. The physicians are called his servants, because the reference is to the regular physicians in the service of Joseph, the eminent minister of state; and according to Herod. 2, 84, there were special physicians in Egypt for every description of disease, among whom the Taricheuta, who superintended the embalming, were included, as a special but subordinate class. The process of embalming lasted 40 days, and the solemn mourning 70 (Gen 50:3). This is in harmony with the statements of Herodotus and Diodorus when rightly understood (see Hengstenberg, Egypt and the Books of Moses, p. 67ff.).
Open source ↗Here is, I. The preparation for Jacob's funeral (Gen 50:1-6). II. The funeral itself (Gen 50:7-14). III. The settling of a good understanding between Joseph and his brethren after the death of Jacob (Gen 50:15-21). IV. The age and death of Joseph (Gen 50:22-26). Thus the book of Genesis, which began with the origin of light and life, ends with nothing but death and darkness; so sad a change has sin made.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
From the web
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Open source ↗desiringgod.org
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Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.
He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.
Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.