Genesis 50:11

11 When the local inhabitants, the Kena'ani, saw the mourning on the floor of Atad they said, "How bitterly the Egyptians are mourning!"This is why the place was given the name Avel-Mitzrayim [mourning of Egypt], there beyond the Yarden.

Genesis 50:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 50:11

And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites
Who were at this time in the possession of the country where the threshingfloor of Atad was: when they saw the mourning in the floor of Atad;
for so large a company of people, and such a grand funeral procession, brought multitudes from all the neighbouring parts to see the sight; and when they observed the lamentation that was made, saw their mournful gestures and actions, and heard their doleful moan: they said, this is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians;
they concluded they must have lost some great man, to make such a lamentation for him: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which is beyond
Jordan;
they changed the name of the place, and gave it another upon this occasion, which signifies the mourning of Egypt or of the Egyptians, they being the principal persons that used the outward and more affecting tokens of mourning; though the whole company might be taken for Egyptians by the Canaanites, because they came out of Egypt.

Genesis 50:11 In-Context

9 Moreover, there went up with him both chariots and horsemen - it was a very large caravan.

10 When they arrived at the threshing-floor in Atad, beyond the Yarden, they raised a loud and bitter lamentation, mourning for his father seven days.

11 When the local inhabitants, the Kena'ani, saw the mourning on the floor of Atad they said, "How bitterly the Egyptians are mourning!"This is why the place was given the name Avel-Mitzrayim [mourning of Egypt], there beyond the Yarden.

12 His sons did to him as he had ordered them to do -

13 they carried him into the land of Kena'an and buried him in the cave in the field of Makhpelah, which Avraham had bought, along with the field, as a burial-place belonging to him, from 'Efron the Hitti, by Mamre.