Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Abel-mizraim" is derived from Hebrew, where "Abel" means "meadow" or "mourning," and "Mizraim" refers to Egypt. Thus, Abel-mizraim can be understood as "the meadow of Egypt" or "mourning of the Egyptians."

Biblical Reference:
Abel-mizraim is mentioned in the context of the burial of Jacob, the patriarch, in the Book of Genesis. The specific reference is found in Genesis 50:11. The passage describes the mourning of the Egyptians for Jacob, which was so significant that the place was named Abel-mizraim.

Scriptural Context (Genesis 50:11):
"When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, 'This is a solemn mourning on the part of the Egyptians.' Therefore the place was named Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan."

Historical and Cultural Background:
Abel-mizraim is associated with the events following the death of Jacob. After Jacob's death in Egypt, his son Joseph, along with his brothers and a large Egyptian entourage, carried Jacob's body back to Canaan for burial in the cave of Machpelah, as Jacob had requested. The procession stopped at the threshing floor of Atad, where they observed a seven-day period of mourning. The intensity of the mourning by the Egyptians was noted by the local Canaanites, leading to the naming of the site as Abel-mizraim.

Geographical Location:
The exact location of Abel-mizraim is not definitively known, but it is described as being "beyond the Jordan." This suggests it was on the eastern side of the Jordan River, near the border of Canaan. The mention of the threshing floor of Atad provides a clue, but the precise identification of this site remains uncertain in modern times.

Significance in Biblical Narrative:
The naming of Abel-mizraim highlights the profound impact of Jacob's death and the respect he commanded, not only among his own family but also among the Egyptians. It underscores the integration and influence of Jacob's family within Egyptian society during their sojourn there. The event also marks a significant moment of transition for the Israelites, as they honor their patriarch before continuing their history in the Promised Land.

Theological Implications:
Abel-mizraim serves as a reminder of the themes of mourning and respect for the dead within the biblical tradition. It also reflects the broader narrative of God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs, as Jacob's body is returned to the land promised to his descendants. The event foreshadows the eventual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their return to Canaan, the land of their inheritance.Abel-Mizraim

the mourning of Egyptians

Meadow of Egypt, or mourning of Egypt, a place "beyond," i.e., on the west of Jordan, at the "threshing-floor of Atad." Here the Egyptians mourned seventy days for Jacob (Genesis 50:4-11). Its site is unknown. ABEL-MIZRAIM

a'-bel-miz'-ra-im ('abhel mitsrayim, "meadow of Egypt"): A name given to "the threshing floor of Atad," East of the Jordan and North of the Dead Sea, because Joseph and his funeral party from Egypt there held their mourning over Jacob (Genesis 50:11). The name is a pun. The Canaanite residents saw the 'ebhel, "the mourning," and therefore that place was called 'abhel mitsrayim.

It is remarkable that the funeral should have taken this circuitous route, instead of going directly from Egypt to Hebron. Possibly a reason may be found as we obtain additional details in Egyptian history. The explanations which consist in changing the text, or in substituting the North Arabian Mutsri for Mitsrayim, are unsatisfactory. Willis J. Beecher

67. Abel Mitsrayim -- "meadow of Egypt," a place East of the ...
... "meadow of Egypt," a place East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Abel Mitsrayim Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-bale' mits-rah'-yim) Short Definition: Abel-mizraim. ...
/hebrew/67.htm - 6k

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Abelmizraim (1 Occurrence)
... Its site is unknown. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABEL-MIZRAIM. ... Willis J.
Beecher. Multi-Version Concordance Abelmizraim (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/abelmizraim.htm - 8k

Abel-mizraim (1 Occurrence)
Abel-mizraim. Abelmizraim, Abel-mizraim. A'bel-Mizraim . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Abelmizraim, Abel-mizraim. A'bel-Mizraim . Reference Bible.
/a/abel-mizraim.htm - 8k

Atad (2 Occurrences)
... the remains of their father Jacob, made for seven days a "great and very sore
lamentation." On this account the Canaanites called it "Abel-mizraim" (Genesis 50 ...
/a/atad.htm - 7k

A'bel-Mizraim (1 Occurrence)
A'bel-Mizraim. Abel-mizraim, A'bel-Mizraim. Abel's . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Abel-mizraim, A'bel-Mizraim. Abel's . Reference Bible.
/a/a'bel-mizraim.htm - 6k

Grain-floor (27 Occurrences)
... the people of Canaan, at the grain-floor of Atad, saw their grief, they said, Great
is the grief of the Egyptians: so the place was named Abel-mizraim, on the ...
/g/grain-floor.htm - 15k

Inhabitant (54 Occurrences)
... saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, "This is a grievous mourning by
the Egyptians." Therefore, its name was called AbelMizraim, which is beyond ...
/i/inhabitant.htm - 25k

Threshing (57 Occurrences)
... of the Egyptians. Therefore the name of it was called Abel-Mizraim, which
is beyond the Jordan. (DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 26 ...
/t/threshing.htm - 28k

Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences)
... mourning of the Egyptians. Therefore the name of it was called Abel-Mizraim,
which is beyond the Jordan. (DBY YLT). Exodus 22:29 ...
/t/threshing-floor.htm - 21k

Egyptians (108 Occurrences)
... saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, "This is a grievous mourning by
the Egyptians." Therefore, its name was called AbelMizraim, which is beyond ...
/e/egyptians.htm - 40k

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