Topical Encyclopedia The burial of Jacob, also known as Israel, is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, highlighting the customs and familial bonds of the patriarchal period. Jacob's death and subsequent burial are described in Genesis 49:29-50:14, where his final wishes and the fulfillment of those wishes by his descendants are detailed.Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, had instructed his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah, a burial site purchased by Abraham in the land of Canaan. This cave held the remains of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah, Jacob's wife. Jacob's desire to be buried in this familial tomb underscores the importance of ancestral heritage and the covenant promises associated with the land of Canaan. Upon Jacob's death in Egypt, Joseph, his favored son and a high-ranking official in Pharaoh's court, took charge of the burial arrangements. Genesis 50:1-3 describes Joseph's deep mourning: "Then Joseph fell upon his father’s face, wept over him, and kissed him. And Joseph commanded 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." The embalming process, a practice common in Egypt, reflects the cultural integration of Jacob's family into Egyptian society, yet their commitment to return to Canaan for the burial signifies their enduring connection to the Promised Land. After the period of mourning, Joseph sought Pharaoh's permission to fulfill his father's burial request, which was granted. The journey to Canaan was a grand procession, attended by Jacob's sons, their households, and a large company of Egyptians, including chariots and horsemen. Genesis 50:7-9 states, "So Joseph went to bury his father, and all Pharaoh’s officials went with him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt—besides all of Joseph’s household, his brothers, and his father’s household. Only their children and flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Both chariots and horsemen went up with him, and it was an exceedingly large procession." This significant entourage underscores the respect and honor accorded to Jacob, not only by his family but also by the Egyptians, reflecting Joseph's esteemed position and the impact of Jacob's legacy. Upon reaching the threshing floor of Atad, beyond the Jordan, they observed a seven-day period of mourning, which was so profound that the Canaanites named the place Abel-mizraim, meaning "mourning of the Egyptians" (Genesis 50:10-11). Jacob's sons carried out his wishes by burying him in the cave of Machpelah, as he had commanded. This act of filial piety and adherence to Jacob's instructions highlights the strong familial bonds and the importance of honoring one's ancestors in the biblical narrative. The burial of Jacob, attended by his relatives and friends, serves as a testament to the enduring faith and covenantal promises that defined the patriarchal lineage. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 50:5-9My father made me swear, saying, See, I die: in my grave which I have dig for me in the land of Canaan, there shall you bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray you, and bury my father, and I will come again. Nave's Topical Index Library Letter cxviii. To Julian. The Resurrection of Lazarus Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility The Pilgrim's Progress Church Fabrics and Services. A Few Sighs from Hell; The Iranian Conquest [Endnotes] Resources What does the Bible say about cremation? Should Christians be cremated? | GotQuestions.orgIs it true that Jesus was crucified above the tomb of Adam? | GotQuestions.org Why are the circumstances of the death of Moses so mysterious? | GotQuestions.org Burial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Burial for Criminals, Marked by Heaps Burial of Enemies, Sometimes Performed by the Conquerors Burial of Persons Embalmed, Deferred for Seventy Days Burial of Persons Hanged, Always on the Days of Execution Burial of the Friendless, a Kind Act Burial were Ceremonially Unclean Burial: An Ignominious, Compared to the Burial of an Ass Burial: Antiquity of Coffins For Burial: Antiquity of Purchasing Places For Burial: Attended by Family of the Dead Burial: Attended by Female Friends Burial: Attended by Great Lamentation At Burial: Attended by Hired Mourners Burial: Attended by Numbers of Friends Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends of Jacob Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Abner Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Child of Jeroboam Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Stephen Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: The Son of the Widow of Nain Burial: Burial of Gog (Multitude) Requiring Seven Months Burial: Burying Places for Poor and Strangers Burial: Burying Places in Caves Burial: Burying Places in Gardens Burial: Burying Places in Houses Burial: Burying Places in Valleys Burial: Burying Places of Kings Burial: Burying Places with Shelves Burial: Burying Places: A Place of Honor Burial: Burying Places: And Inscriptions Burial: Burying Places: Anyone Who Touched, Were Unclean Burial: Burying Places: Bought by Abraham Burial: Burying Places: Closed With Stones Burial: Burying Places: Demoniacs Lived In Burial: Burying Places: Family Burial: Burying Places: Joseph Burial: Burying Places: King Saul's Burial: Burying Places: Marked With Pillars, Rachel's Burial: Burying Places: On Hills Burial: Burying Places: Painted and Garnished Burial: Burying Places: Refused to the Dead Burial: Burying Places: Robbed Burial: Burying Places: Sealed Burial: Burying Places: Under Trees, Deborah's Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Jacob Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Joseph Burial: Frequently Prepared and Pointed out During Life Burial: Held in High Veneration Burial: Illustrative of Regeneration Burial: Members of a Family Interred in the Same Burial: Often Desecrated by Idolatry Burial: Often Took Place Immediately After Death Burial: Orations Sometimes Made At Burial: Places Used for Caves Hewn out of Rocks Burial: Places Used for Gardens Burial: Places Used for Houses of the Deceased Burial: Places Used for Natural Caves Burial: Places Used for The City of David for the Kings of Judah Burial: Places Used for Tops of the Hills Burial: Places Used for Under Trees Burial: Privation of, Considered a Calamity Burial: Privation of, Threatened As a Punishment Burial: Provided for Aliens and Strangers Burial: Provided for the Common People Burial: Sometimes had Inscriptions Burial: Sometimes not Apparent Burial: The Body Was: Anointed For Burial: The Body Was: Carried on a Bier To Burial: The Body Was: Preserved With Spices Burial: The Body Was: Sometimes Burned Before Burial: The Body Was: Washed Before Burial: The Body Was: Wound in Linen For Burial: The Jews Anxious to be Interred in Their Family Places of Burial: The Right of all Nations Burial: Visited by Sorrowing Friends Related Terms |
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