Embalming, as a practice of preserving the body after death, is notably absent from the lives and customs of the early patriarchs in the biblical narrative. The process, which involves treating a corpse with preservatives to delay decomposition, is first explicitly mentioned in the context of Egyptian customs during the time of Joseph.

Biblical Context and References

The earliest mention of embalming in the Bible occurs in the Book of Genesis, specifically in relation to the death of Jacob and later Joseph. Genesis 50:2-3 states, "Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So they embalmed him, taking the full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days." This passage highlights the Egyptian influence on Joseph, who had risen to a position of power in Egypt, and indicates that embalming was a well-established practice in Egyptian culture.

Later, Genesis 50:26 records the embalming of Joseph himself: "So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt." This further underscores the adoption of Egyptian customs by Joseph, who had spent the majority of his life in Egypt.

Cultural and Historical Background

Embalming was a significant aspect of ancient Egyptian burial practices, deeply rooted in their religious beliefs about the afterlife. The Egyptians believed that preserving the body was essential for the deceased's journey into the afterlife. The process involved removing internal organs, treating the body with natron (a naturally occurring salt), and wrapping it in linen.

In contrast, the early Hebrew patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are not recorded as having practiced embalming. Their burials, as described in the Bible, were simpler and more immediate. For instance, Genesis 23:19 notes, "After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan." Similarly, Genesis 35:29 describes the death and burial of Isaac: "Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him."

Theological Implications

The absence of embalming among the early patriarchs may reflect their distinct cultural and religious identity, separate from the surrounding nations. The patriarchs' practices were likely influenced by their nomadic lifestyle and their covenant relationship with God, which emphasized faith and obedience over elaborate burial customs.

The adoption of embalming by Joseph, however, illustrates the intersection of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures during his lifetime. While Joseph remained faithful to the God of his fathers, his position in Egypt necessitated certain accommodations to Egyptian customs, including embalming.

Conclusion

The practice of embalming, while prominent in Egyptian culture, was not part of the early Hebrew tradition as depicted in the lives of the patriarchs. It appears in the biblical narrative only in the context of Joseph's life in Egypt, highlighting the cultural exchanges and influences that occurred during this period.Genesis 23:4
I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burial plot with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Lebanon or landed in Cyprus, we must yet admit the very early advent of ... were more
rarely utilised, it was not because their existence was unknown, but because ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

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