Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. New Living Translation The embalming process took the usual forty days. And the Egyptians mourned his death for seventy days. English Standard Version Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. Berean Standard Bible taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. King James Bible And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. New King James Version Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. New American Standard Bible Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. NASB 1995 Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. NASB 1977 Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. Legacy Standard Bible Then the forty days to do this were fulfilled, because in this manner the days of embalming are fulfilled. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. Amplified Bible Now forty days were required for this, for that is the customary number of days [of preparation] required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept and grieved for him [in public mourning as they would for royalty] for seventy days. Christian Standard Bible They took forty days to complete this, for embalming takes that long, and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. Holman Christian Standard Bible They took 40 days to complete this, for embalming takes that long, and the Egyptians mourned for him 70 days. American Standard Version And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of embalming: and the Egyptians wept for him three-score and ten days. Contemporary English Version and it took the usual 40 days. The Egyptians mourned 70 days for Jacob. English Revised Version And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of embalming: and the Egyptians wept for him threescore and ten days. GOD'S WORD® Translation The embalming was completed in the usual time-40 days. The Egyptians mourned for him 70 days. Good News Translation It took forty days, the normal time for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. International Standard Version It took 40 days to complete the process, the normal period required for embalming. Meanwhile, the Egyptians mourned for him for 70 days. Majority Standard Bible taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. NET Bible They took forty days, for that is the full time needed for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. New Heart English Bible Forty days were required for it, for that is how many the days it takes for embalming. The Egyptians mourned for him for seventy days. Webster's Bible Translation And forty days were fulfilled for him; (for so are fulfilled the days of those who are embalmed:) and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. World English Bible Forty days were used for him, for that is how many days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for Israel for seventy days. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they fulfill for him forty days, for so they fulfill the days of the embalmed, and the Egyptians weep for him seventy days. Young's Literal Translation and they fulfil for him forty days, for so they fulfil the days of the embalmed, and the Egyptians weep for him seventy days. Smith's Literal Translation And they will fill up forty days for him: for so will they fill up the days of the embalmed: and the Egyptians will weep for him seventy days. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd while they were fulfilling his commands, there passed forty days: for this was the manner with bodies that were embalmed, and Egypt mounted for him seventy days. Catholic Public Domain Version And while they were fulfilling his orders, forty days passed. For this was the method of embalming dead bodies. And Egypt wept for him for seventy days. New American Bible they spent forty days at it, for that is the full period of embalming; and the Egyptians mourned him for seventy days. New Revised Standard Version they spent forty days in doing this, for that is the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And forty days were fulfilled to him, because thus the days of embalmment are completed, and the Egyptians mourned him seventy days. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him threescore and ten days. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they fulfilled forty days for him, for so are the days of embalming numbered; and Egypt mourned for him seventy days. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Mourning and Burial for Jacob…2And Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So they embalmed him, 3taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. 4When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please tell Pharaoh that… Cross References Exodus 1:8-11 Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” ... Numbers 20:29 When the whole congregation saw that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days. Deuteronomy 34:8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end. 2 Chronicles 35:24-25 So his servants took him out of his chariot, put him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. And Josiah was buried in the tomb of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. / Then Jeremiah lamented over Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers recite laments over Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Book of Laments. Matthew 2:18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” John 11:31-35 When the Jews who were in the house consoling Mary saw how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. / When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” / When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ... Acts 8:2 God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 1 Samuel 31:13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. 2 Samuel 1:12 They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 2 Kings 13:14 When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” Jeremiah 9:17-20 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them. / Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water. / For the sound of wailing is heard from Zion: ‘How devastated we are! How great is our shame! For we have abandoned the land because our dwellings have been torn down.’” ... Ezekiel 24:16-18 “Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. / Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.” / So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded. Amos 5:16-17 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Hosts, the Lord, says: “There will be wailing in all the public squares and cries of ‘Alas! Alas!’ in all the streets. The farmer will be summoned to mourn, and the mourners to wail. / There will be wailing in all the vineyards, for I will pass through your midst,” says the LORD. Mark 5:38-39 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. / He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” Luke 7:12-13 As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” Treasury of Scripture And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him three score and ten days. forty days. mourned. Numbers 20:29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel. Deuteronomy 21:13 And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife. Deuteronomy 34:8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. Jump to Previous Body Egyptians Embalm Embalmed Embalming Forty Fulfil Fulfilled Full Making Mourned Needed Period Ready Required Seventy Ten Threescore Three-Score Time Weep Weeping WeptJump to Next Body Egyptians Embalm Embalmed Embalming Forty Fulfil Fulfilled Full Making Mourned Needed Period Ready Required Seventy Ten Threescore Three-Score Time Weep Weeping WeptGenesis 50 1. The mourning for Jacob.4. Joseph gets leave of Pharaoh to go to bury him. 7. The funeral. 15. Joseph comforts his brothers, who crave his pardon. 22. His age. 23. He sees the third generation of his sons. 24. He prophesies unto his brothers of their return. 25. He takes an oath of them concerning his bones. 26. He dies, and is put into a coffin. taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. The process of embalming in ancient Egypt was a detailed and significant ritual, often associated with the preservation of the body for the afterlife. The forty days mentioned here align with historical records of Egyptian mummification practices, which typically took around 40 days to complete. This period was necessary for the drying and preservation of the body using natron, a naturally occurring salt. The number forty is also significant in biblical terms, often symbolizing a period of testing or completion, as seen in the forty days of rain during the flood (Genesis 7:12) and Jesus' forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe son of Jacob, who rose to power in Egypt. He is responsible for the embalming of his father, Jacob. 2. Jacob (Israel) The patriarch whose death and embalming are the focus of this verse. His death marks a significant transition for his family. 3. Egyptians The people of Egypt who mourned Jacob for seventy days, indicating his importance and the respect they had for Joseph. 4. Embalming The process of preserving a body after death, which was a common Egyptian practice, reflecting the cultural integration of Joseph's family into Egyptian society. 5. Seventy Days of Mourning A period of mourning that reflects both Egyptian customs and the honor given to Jacob. Teaching Points Cultural Integration and InfluenceJoseph's family was integrated into Egyptian society, yet they maintained their distinct identity. Believers today can engage with culture while holding firm to their faith. Respect for the Deceased The extensive mourning period for Jacob highlights the importance of honoring those who have passed. Christians are called to respect and honor their loved ones, reflecting God's love and compassion. God's Sovereignty in Transitions Jacob's death marked a transition for his family. In times of change, believers can trust in God's sovereignty and plan for their lives. The Role of Mourning Mourning is a natural and important process. It allows for healing and reflection, and Christians can find comfort in God's presence during these times. Legacy and Influence Jacob's impact on both his family and the Egyptians shows the lasting influence one can have. Believers are encouraged to live lives that leave a godly legacy.(3) Forty days.--Herodotus (ii. 86) describes the process of embalming as occupying seventy days, but he was speaking of what he saw at Thebes, whereas Memphis was the Egyptian capital in Joseph's time; and the mummies of Thebes are, we are told, far more perfectly preserved than those of Memphis. Diodorus agrees very nearly with the periods mentioned here, saying (i. 91) that the embalming took somewhat more than thirty days, and the mourning for a king seventy-two. The usual period of mourning among the Israelites was thirty days (Numbers 20:29 : Deuteronomy 34:8). Probably, therefore, the forty days spent in the embalming were included in the "threescore and ten days," during which the Egyptians mourned for Jacob.Verse 3. - And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those who are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned (literally, wept) for him threescore and ten days - i.e. the whole period of mourning, including the forty days for embalming, extended to seventy days, a statement which strikingly coincides with the assertion of Diodorus Siculus (1:72), that the embalming process occupied about thirty days, while the mourning continued seventy-two days; the first number, seventy, being seven decades, or ten weeks of seven days, and the second 12 x 6 = 72, the duodecimal calculation being also used in Egypt (vide Wilkinson in Rawlinson's 'Herodotus,' vol. 2. p. 121; and in ' Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians: vol. 3. p. 471, et seqq., ed. 1878). The apparent discrepancy between the accounts of Genesis and Herodotus will disappear if the seventy days of the Greek historian, during which the body lay in antrum, be viewed as the entire period of mourning (Hengstenberg's 'Egypt and the Books of Moses,' p. 68; Sir G. Wilkinson in Rawlinson's 'Herodotus,' vol. 2. p. 121), a sense which the words ταῦτα δὲ ποιήσαντες ταριχεύουσι λίτρῳ κρίηψαντες ἡμέρας ἐβδομήκοντα (Herod. 2:86)will bear, though Kalisch somewhat arbitrarily, but unconvincingly, pronounces it to be "excluded both by the context and Greek syntax." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew taking the fortyאַרְבָּעִ֣ים (’ar·bā·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 705: Forty days י֔וֹם (yō·wm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day required to complete וַיִּמְלְאוּ־ (way·yim·lə·’ū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of the embalming. הַחֲנֻטִ֑ים (ha·ḥă·nu·ṭîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2590: To spice, to embalm, to ripen And the Egyptians מִצְרַ֖יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt mourned וַיִּבְכּ֥וּ (way·yiḇ·kū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan for him seventy שִׁבְעִ֥ים (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 7657: Seventy (a cardinal number) days. יְמֵ֣י (yə·mê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3117: A day Links Genesis 50:3 NIVGenesis 50:3 NLT Genesis 50:3 ESV Genesis 50:3 NASB Genesis 50:3 KJV Genesis 50:3 BibleApps.com Genesis 50:3 Biblia Paralela Genesis 50:3 Chinese Bible Genesis 50:3 French Bible Genesis 50:3 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 50:3 Forty days were fulfilled for him (Gen. Ge Gn) |