Topical Encyclopedia The burial of Jacob, also known as Israel, is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, marking the end of the patriarchal narratives. Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, was a central figure in the history of Israel, and his burial reflects both his personal legacy and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.Death and Burial Request Jacob's death is recorded in Genesis 49:33, where it states, "When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people." Prior to his death, Jacob made a specific request regarding his burial. In Genesis 49:29-32, Jacob charged his sons, saying, "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site." Jacob's desire to be buried in the cave of Machpelah underscores his connection to the covenant promises given to Abraham and Isaac. This burial site, located in Hebron, was the same place where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried, signifying the continuity of God's covenant with the patriarchs. Fulfillment of Jacob's Request Following Jacob's death, his son Joseph, who held a position of power in Egypt, sought permission from Pharaoh to fulfill his father's burial request. Genesis 50:4-6 records Joseph's appeal: "When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, 'If I have found favor in your eyes, please tell Pharaoh that my father made me swear an oath when he said, "I am about to die; you must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan." Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.' Pharaoh said, 'Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.'" The Funeral Procession The funeral procession for Jacob was a grand event, reflecting both his status and the respect he commanded. Genesis 50:7-9 describes the procession: "So Joseph went to bury his father, and all Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt—besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Both chariots and horsemen went up with him. It was a very large company." This elaborate procession, which included Egyptian officials and a large company, highlights the influence Jacob's family had in Egypt and the honor accorded to him even by the Egyptians. Burial in the Cave of Machpelah Upon reaching Canaan, Jacob's sons carried out his burial as he had instructed. Genesis 50:12-13 states, "So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them. They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field." Jacob's burial in the cave of Machpelah not only fulfilled his personal wishes but also reaffirmed the family's connection to the Promised Land. This act symbolized the hope and future inheritance that God had promised to Abraham and his descendants. Mourning and Return to Egypt After the burial, Joseph and his brothers returned to Egypt. Genesis 50:14 notes, "After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone with him to bury his father." The return to Egypt marked the continuation of the Israelites' sojourn in a foreign land, setting the stage for the subsequent events leading to the Exodus. Jacob's burial is a poignant reminder of the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises and the enduring legacy of the patriarchs in the history of Israel. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 50:4-13And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spoke to the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, Nave's Topical Index Library Chapter l Whether it is Lawful to Receive Money for Things Annexed to ... Of the Blessing which Jacob Promised in Judah his Son. Concerning the violation of Dina's Chastity. Jacob Boehme: his Life and Spirit Homily on Habib the Martyr, Composed by Mar Jacob. Chapter xxxv Appendix D. Chapter xlvii Introduction Resources Why does God refer to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jacob placing branches in front of his flock really result in the offspring being speckled and spotted? | GotQuestions.org What is the Pride of Jacob (Amos 8:7)? | GotQuestions.org Jacob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah Jacob: Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies, and is Buried at Beth-El Jacob: Dissatisfied With Laban's Treatment and Returns to the Land of Canaan Jacob: Dreads to Meet Esau; Sends Him Presents; Wrestles With an Angel Jacob: Erects a Monument at Rachel's Grave Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram Jacob: Exacts a Promise from Joseph to Bury Him With his Forefathers Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing Jacob: Given in Answer to Prayer Jacob: Gives the Land of the Amorites to Joseph Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To Jacob: Hears That Joseph is Still Alive Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Jacob: His Daughter, Dinah, is Raped Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Asher Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Benjamin Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Dan Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Gad Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Issachar Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Joseph Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Judah Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Naphtali Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Simeon and Levi Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Zebulun Jacob: His Grief Over the Detention of Simeon and the Demand for Benjamin to be Taken Into Egypt Jacob: His Grief Over the Loss of Joseph Jacob: His Partiality for his Son, Joseph, and the Consequent Jealousy of his Other Sons Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder Jacob: Joseph's Prophetic Dream Concerning Jacob: Journeys to Shalem, where he Purchase a Parcel of Ground from Hamor and Erects an Altar Jacob: List of the Names of his Twelve Sons Jacob: Lives in Egypt for Seventeen Years Jacob: Lives in the Land of Canaan Jacob: Meets Angels of God on the Journey, and Calls the Place "Mahanaim" Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew Jacob: Pharaoh Receives Him, and is Blessed by Jacob Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Jacob: Reconciliation of, With Esau Jacob: Returns to Arbah, the City of his Father Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar Jacob: Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn (Grain) Jacob: Serves Fourteen Years for Leah and Rachel Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban Jacob: Sojourns in Haran With his Uncle, Laban Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau Jacob: The Incest of his Son, Reuben, With his Concubine, Bilhah Jacob: The Land of Goshen Assigned To Jacob: The List of his Children and Grandchildren Who Went Down Into Egypt Related Terms |
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