They came to the threshing-floor of Atad— Atad is, according to some, the proper name of a person; according to others, the word is an appellative, and signifies brambles; and so should be rendered the threshing-floor of brambles. See Judges 9:14.Psalms 58:9. The place is supposed to be about two leagues from Jericho, on the other side Jordan, at fifty miles distance from Hebron. Beyond Jordan, is, by Junius and others, translated, at the passage of Jordan, which agrees with some of the ancient persons. Those who justify our translation suppose these words to have been spoken in respect of the place where Moses was when he wrote this history, which was in the wilderness of Arabia, on the east of Jordan; Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 25:19.
He made a mourning for his father seven days— We have here the most ancient monument of the mourning of seven days, which was afterwards observed among the Jews. See Numbers 19:19. 1 Samuel 31:13. Sir 22:12. And their rejoicing at weddings was of the same continuance. See ch. Genesis 29:27. Other passages however shew that their funeral mourning, on other occasions, lasted a month, or thirty days; Numbers 20:29. Deuteronomy 21:13; Deuteronomy 34:8. It is difficult to say why Joseph observed this ceremonial at the threshing-floor of Atad: the most probable reason is that which is given by Musculus, that they chose this place for the solemnity, as being a proper place for them to rest their weary cattle, which had travelled a long way through the solitary and sandy desert, and needed refreshment. See Calmet's Dissertation on the Funerals of the Hebrews. Note; 1. Those who have been eminent in their day deserve to be honourably attended to their grave. The death of a great good man is not only a loss to his family but to his country. 2. When we attend the funerals of others, it becomes us seriously to think of our own. 3. Who could have thought, that the nation who thus lamented the father could afterwards so sorely have afflicted the children? 4. We must not give way to over-much sorrow; the living call for our regard, and our tears cannot profit the dead.