When Jacob had mourned for Joseph longer than was customary, and his intense grief seemed unassuaged, his children became concerned. The callous criminals became tender comforters, and the would-be murderers sought to mollify the grief they had cruelly brought upon their father.

 It is apparent that Jacob had other daughters besides Dinah, unless daughters-in-law-are meant here (cf. Ruth 1:11, 12). Since Hebrew terms designating family relationships are often used in a more general sense than is true today, it is often uncertain what the words “son,” “daughter,” etc., really mean. It seems clear from Gen. 46:7, however, that these were Jacob’s own “daughters.”

She’ol. This word is peculiar to Hebrew, is not found in any related Semitic language, and is of unknown origin. It is invariably used to designate the place to which the dead go.