We are still in chapter 46 of Genesis with our word for today used twice in our chapter. צַוָּאר neck, back of the neck, narrow. It is used 41 times in the Old Testament. It refers to the part of a human or animal that connects the head to the rest of the body. Genesis 27:15-16 Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his צַוָּארָֽיו neck with the goatskins. Genesis 41:41-42 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his צַוָּארֽוֹ neck. Job 39:19 Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its צַוָּאר֣וֹ neck with a flowing mane?
We find the phrase וַיִּפֹּל֙ עַל־צַוָּארָ֔יו fall on the neck used three times in the Bible. And interestingly crying is also involved in these uses. Genesis 33:3-4 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he וַיִּפֹּל֙ עַל־צַוָּארָ֔יוfell on his neck and kissed him. And they wept. Genesis 45:14 Then he וַיִּפֹּ֛ל עַל־צַוְּארֵ֥י upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his צַוָּארָֽיו neck. Today we would say throw our arms around the neck which is how the NIV translates it.
This is also how our word is used in our chapter today. Genesis 46:29 Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and וַיִּפֹּל֙ עַל־צַוָּארָ֔יו fell on his neck and wept on his צַוָּארָ֖יו neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.” After all of these years of being apart God finally brought them back together. This is a great picture of the overwhelming gladness that both of their hearts experienced. God created us as relational beings. Our hearts need the nourishment of relationships with God and others. I’ll close with a parable Jesus told about a father who loved his son and longed to have him back home. This is the picture that God gives us to show his love for everyone no matter how far away they may currently be from Him. Luke 15:20-24 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
