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The mourning and burial of Jacob, also known as Israel, is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, reflecting the deep respect and honor accorded to the patriarch by his family and the surrounding nations. Jacob's death and subsequent burial are detailed inGenesis 49:29-50:14, providing insights into ancient Hebrew customs and the fulfillment of familial and divine promises.

Jacob's Death and Final Instructions

Before his death, Jacob gathered his sons to bless them and to give them instructions regarding his burial. InGenesis 49:29-32, Jacob charged his sons with the responsibility of burying him in the cave of Machpelah, in the land of Canaan. This cave, purchased by Abraham as a burial site, held significant ancestral importance as it was the resting place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah. Jacob's insistence on being buried there underscores his connection to God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants.

Mourning Period

Upon Jacob's death, Joseph, his favored son, ordered the embalming of his father, a process that took forty days, as was customary in Egypt (Genesis 50:2-3). The Egyptians mourned for Jacob seventy days, a period that reflects the high regard in which Joseph was held in Egypt and the respect extended to his family. This extended mourning period indicates the integration of Egyptian customs with Hebrew practices, highlighting the cultural interactions during Joseph's time in Egypt.

The Funeral Procession

Joseph sought Pharaoh's permission to fulfill his father's burial wishes, emphasizing the oath he had made to Jacob (Genesis 50:4-6). Pharaoh granted this request, allowing Joseph to lead a grand funeral procession to Canaan. The procession included not only Jacob's family but also Egyptian dignitaries, chariots, and horsemen, signifying the importance of Jacob and the esteem in which Joseph was held (Genesis 50:7-9).

Burial at Machpelah

Upon reaching the threshing floor of Atad, beyond the Jordan, the company observed seven days of mourning, which was so profound that the Canaanites named the place Abel-mizraim, meaning "mourning of the Egyptians" (Genesis 50:10-11). This public display of grief further illustrates the impact of Jacob's life and death on both his family and the surrounding nations.

Jacob was finally laid to rest in the cave of Machpelah, fulfilling his desire to be buried with his ancestors. This act of burial not only honored Jacob's wishes but also reaffirmed the connection of his descendants to the Promised Land, a central theme in the narrative of the Israelites.

Return to Egypt

After the burial, Joseph and his brothers returned to Egypt, as recorded inGenesis 50:14. This return marks the continuation of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, setting the stage for the subsequent events leading to the Exodus. The burial of Jacob thus serves as a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, bridging the patriarchal period with the unfolding account of the Israelite nation.