Definition and Historical Context:
Embalming is the process of preserving a body after death, primarily to delay decomposition. In ancient times, this practice was most notably associated with the Egyptians, who developed intricate methods to preserve the bodies of their dead, especially those of the pharaohs and nobility. The process involved removing internal organs, treating the body with natron (a type of salt), and wrapping it in linen.

Biblical References:
The practice of embalming is mentioned explicitly in the Bible in the context of the patriarchs Jacob and Joseph. These references highlight the influence of Egyptian customs on the Israelites during their time in Egypt.

1. Jacob's Embalming:
· Genesis 50:2-3 : "Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So they embalmed him, taking the full forty days required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days."
· This passage indicates that Jacob, also known as Israel, was embalmed following his death in Egypt. Joseph, his son, who held a high position in the Egyptian government, ordered the embalming. The process took forty days, which aligns with the traditional Egyptian embalming period, and was followed by a seventy-day period of mourning, reflecting the high regard in which Jacob was held.

2. Joseph's Embalming:
· Genesis 50:26 : "So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt."
· Joseph's embalming signifies the continuation of Egyptian practices among the Israelites. His body was preserved and placed in a coffin, awaiting the eventual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, when his remains would be carried to the Promised Land, as he had requested (Genesis 50:25).

Cultural and Religious Significance:
The embalming of Jacob and Joseph underscores the intersection of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures during the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt. While the Israelites maintained their distinct identity and faith, they adopted certain Egyptian customs, such as embalming, which was not a traditional Hebrew practice. This adoption reflects the practical considerations of the time, as embalming allowed for the preservation of bodies for extended periods, facilitating the fulfillment of burial wishes, such as Joseph's desire to be interred in Canaan.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the embalming of Jacob and Joseph can be seen as a testament to God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises. Despite being in a foreign land, the patriarchs' bodies were preserved, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel. The eventual transport of Joseph's bones to the Promised Land (Exodus 13:19) serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the hope of resurrection and eternal life.

Conclusion:
The practice of embalming, as recorded in the Bible, provides insight into the cultural exchanges between the Israelites and Egyptians and highlights the importance of burial customs in expressing faith and hope in God's promises.(imp. & p. p.) of Embalm.2590. chanat -- to spice, make spicy, embalm
... 2589, 2590. chanat. 2591 . to spice, make spicy, embalm. Transliteration: chanat
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-nat') Short Definition: embalmed. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/2590.htm - 6k

Egypt.
... eternity; and thus all these creatures were consecrated, and when they died were
rolled up in fine linen and spices, just as the Egyptians embalmed their own ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iii egypt.htm

A Coffin in Egypt
... GENESIS A COFFIN IN EGYPT. 'They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin
in Egypt.' "Genesis 50:26. So closes the book of Genesis. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a coffin in egypt.htm

The Council of Tyre.
... They then cut off the right hand of a corpse, embalmed it, placed it in a wooden
case, and carried it about everywhere, declaring that it was the hand of ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxviii the council of tyre.htm

He Entreats God for Her Sins, and Admonishes his Readers to ...
... mouth, O Lord." [804] For she, when the day of her dissolution was near at hand,
took no thought to have her body sumptuously covered, or embalmed with spices ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xiii he entreats god for.htm

Our Death.
... odors. Yea, the parallel goes still further. A corpse may be embalmed,
stuffed with herbs, and encased as a mummy. Its corruption ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvi our death.htm

A Calm Evening, Promising a Bright Morning
... So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him,
and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.'"Genesis 50:14-26. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a calm evening promising a.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... In the first of these incidents evidence is given that there was an intimate circle
of friends in whose love Jesus was embalmed, and His work and memory ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Chapter l
... father. So the physicians embalmed Israel, being occupied in the task a full
forty days; for so many are the days used in embalming. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

The Death of Saint James.
... glorious as ever; and when, at length, the chapel was opened, the body of Saint
James and the bodies of his companions were found to be perfectly embalmed. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eighteen the death of.htm

The Mourner's Comfort.
... die!". If Bethany had bequeathed no other "memory" than this, how its name
would have been embalmed in hallowed recollection! Truly ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/viii the mourners comfort.htm

Embalmed (3 Occurrences)
...Embalmed (3 Occurrences). Genesis 50:2 Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians,
to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel. ...
/e/embalmed.htm - 7k

Embalm (4 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 50:2 Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm
his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel. (WEB ...
/e/embalm.htm - 8k

Embalming (3 Occurrences)
... The process became more and more complicated, and to such perfection was it carried
that bodies embalmed thousands of years ago are preserved to the present ...
/e/embalming.htm - 9k

Machpelah (6 Occurrences)
... Here it may be that the body of Jacob, which was embalmed in Egypt, is still preserved
(much older embalmed bodies have recently been found in the cave of Deir ...
/m/machpelah.htm - 19k

Burial (25 Occurrences)
... the physicians to embalm his father" (Genesis 50:2), and it was conventionally the
fit thing that when Joseph himself died his body was embalmed and "put in a ...
/b/burial.htm - 42k

Gerizim (4 Occurrences)
... It was probably at this time that the coffin containing the embalmed body of Joseph
was laid in the "parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor ...
/g/gerizim.htm - 14k

Threescore (87 Occurrences)
... Genesis 50:3 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 ...
/t/threescore.htm - 33k

Mourned (54 Occurrences)
... Genesis 50:3 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 ...
/m/mourned.htm - 23k

Physicians (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 50:2 Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father;
and the physicians embalmed Israel. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/physicians.htm - 7k

Physician (6 Occurrences)
... that of Egypt. Physicians of this kind who were Joseph's servants embalmed
Jacob (Genesis 50:2) and Joseph (Genesis 50:26). It was ...
/p/physician.htm - 14k

Who was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Embalmed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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