Genesis 50:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And forty {H705} days {H3117} were fulfilled {H4390} for him; for so are fulfilled {H4390} the days {H3117} of those which are embalmed {H2590}: and the Egyptians {H4714} mourned {H1058} for him threescore and ten {H7657} days {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Forty days were spent at this, the normal amount of time for embalming. Then the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

Berean Standard Bible

taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy 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 threescore and ten days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 50:3 meticulously records the Egyptian funerary rites observed for Jacob, detailing a forty-day period for his embalming, which was standard for such a procedure, followed by an extended seventy-day national mourning period. This passage not only highlights the profound respect accorded to Jacob, largely due to his son Joseph's elevated status in Egypt, but also provides valuable insight into the elaborate burial customs of ancient Egypt, underscoring the universal human experience of grief and the cultural expressions of honor for the deceased.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the death of Jacob in Egypt, fulfilling his solemn request to Joseph to be buried with his ancestors in Canaan, as recorded in [Genesis 47:29-31](/genesis/47-29-31 "Jacob's dying wish to be buried in Canaan"). Joseph, having risen to become the second most powerful man in Egypt, meticulously orchestrates his father's funeral, demonstrating profound filial piety and leveraging his influence to ensure an honorable, culturally significant burial. The precise timeframes mentioned set the stage for the elaborate funeral procession that will journey from Egypt back to the land of Canaan, fulfilling Jacob's final wishes and marking a significant moment in the narrative of the patriarchs. This passage bridges the moment of Jacob's death with the subsequent journey and burial, emphasizing the respect shown to him by both his family and the Egyptians.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egyptian funerary practices were among the most elaborate in the ancient world, driven by a strong belief in the afterlife and the necessity of preserving the body for the soul's continued existence. Embalming, particularly mummification, was a complex process. The "forty days" mentioned in the verse aligns with the known period for the desiccation of the body using natron salts, a crucial step to prevent decay. The "seventy days" referred to the total duration of the mummification process, which included the forty days of desiccation, followed by washing, anointing with oils, wrapping the body in linen bandages, and placing it in a sarcophagus. This extended period also encompassed the various public mourning rituals, ceremonies, and processions. For a figure of Jacob's stature, especially given Joseph's high position in Pharaoh's court (as seen in [Genesis 41:40-44](/genesis/41-40-44 "Joseph's elevation in Egypt")), such an elaborate and prolonged observance was fitting, reflecting the immense respect and honor the Egyptians held for Joseph and, by extension, his family.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 50:3 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights **Divine Providence**, as Joseph's elevation by God ultimately secures such an honorable burial for his father, a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant people even in a foreign land. The verse also underscores the theme of **Respect and Honor**, demonstrating the profound esteem in which Jacob was held, not only by his family but also by the Egyptian nation, due to Joseph's influence. Furthermore, it speaks to the **Universality of Grief**, portraying a deep and prolonged period of mourning that transcends cultural boundaries, emphasizing the human experience of loss. Finally, it provides a glimpse into **Cultural Interaction**, illustrating how God's people, while maintaining their distinct identity, could engage with and even be honored by the surrounding cultures, particularly in significant life events like death and burial. This interaction is a recurring motif, as seen in the earlier interactions between Abraham and the Hittites regarding Sarah's burial place in [Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "Genesis 23 - Sarah's Burial").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ_):** This verb signifies "to fill" or "to be full of," and in this context, it denotes the completion or expiration of a set period. The days were "filled up" or "completed," indicating that the entire duration allotted for the embalming process had run its course. It conveys a sense of finality and adherence to a prescribed timeframe.
* **embalmed (Hebrew, _chânaṭ_):** This primitive root means "to spice" or, by implication, "to embalm." It refers specifically to the process of preserving a body, typically through the use of spices, resins, and salts, as was the practice in ancient Egypt. The term highlights the meticulous and intentional actions taken to prevent decay, crucial for Egyptian funerary beliefs.
* **mourned (Hebrew, _bâkâh_):** Derived from a root meaning "to weep," this verb describes the act of expressing sorrow, grief, or lamentation. In this context, it signifies a deep and prolonged period of national mourning by the Egyptians for Jacob, indicating the profound impact and respect he commanded, largely through Joseph's intercession.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed:"** This clause specifies the duration of the active embalming process for Jacob. The "forty days" refers to the period during which the body was desiccated using natron salts, a critical phase in mummification aimed at preventing decomposition. This timeframe was a standard and well-attested practice in ancient Egypt for preserving the deceased, particularly for individuals of high status. The phrase "for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed" serves as an explanatory note, confirming that Jacob's embalming followed the customary Egyptian procedure for mummification, reinforcing the historical accuracy of the biblical account.
* **"and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days."** This part of the verse details the total period of mourning observed by the Egyptians for Jacob. The "threescore and ten days" (seventy days) encompasses the entire mummification process (including the initial forty days of desiccation and the subsequent washing, anointing, and wrapping of the body) as well as the full duration of public mourning rituals and ceremonies. This extended period of national lamentation by the Egyptians, not just Jacob's family, is a powerful testament to Joseph's extraordinary influence and the deep respect he had cultivated between his family and the Egyptian nation. It underscores the profound honor accorded to Jacob, an outsider, reflecting the significant impact Joseph had on the highest levels of Egyptian society.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Numerical Symbolism** through the specific mention of "forty days" and "seventy days." The number forty often signifies a period of testing, preparation, or completion in biblical narratives, while seventy can symbolize completeness or a divinely appointed period. In this context, they denote precise, culturally significant timeframes for the embalming and mourning processes. The distinction between the two numbers also creates a subtle **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the difference between the technical procedure of embalming and the broader, more encompassing period of national mourning. The detailed description of these foreign customs also serves as a form of **Cultural Realism**, grounding the biblical narrative in the historical and cultural practices of the time, lending credibility to the account.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 50:3, while detailing ancient customs, subtly underscores profound theological truths. The extraordinary honor shown to Jacob by the Egyptians is a direct manifestation of God's providential hand in Joseph's life. Joseph's faithfulness and wisdom, divinely bestowed, elevated him to a position of power that ultimately brought blessings and respect, even in death, to his family. This demonstrates that God's covenant promises extend beyond the individual, influencing the circumstances of their descendants and even the perceptions of surrounding nations. The universal human experience of grief, vividly portrayed by the extended mourning period, reminds us of the profound impact of death and the human need for communal lament and processing of loss.

* [Genesis 47:29-31](/genesis/47-29-31 "Jacob's Oath from Joseph to be Buried in Canaan")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalm/30-5 "Weeping May Last for a Night, But Joy Comes in the Morning")
* [Ecclesiastes 3:4](/ecclesiastes/3-4 "A Time to Weep and a Time to Laugh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 50:3, though describing ancient Egyptian practices, offers timeless insights into the human condition and our response to loss. The meticulous care taken in preparing Jacob's body and the extended period of mourning underscore the importance of honoring the deceased, a practice that transcends cultures and speaks to the inherent dignity of human life. This passage reminds us that grief is not a process to be rushed; the seventy days of mourning acknowledge that healing from loss requires significant time and communal support. It invites us to consider how our own communities provide space and time for lament. Furthermore, Joseph's righteous life and integrity, which led to his father receiving an honor typically reserved for Egyptian nobility, serve as a powerful testament to the far-reaching influence of a life lived faithfully before God. Our character and faithfulness can bring blessings and respect not only to ourselves but also to those connected to us, even impacting their circumstances in profound ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the extensive mourning for Jacob by the Egyptians reflect the broader impact of Joseph's life and faithfulness?**
* **In what ways do our modern cultures acknowledge and process grief, and what lessons can we learn from the ancient practice of extended mourning?**
* **How does the honoring of Jacob, an outsider, by a foreign nation speak to God's providence and the influence of His people in the world?**

### FAQ

**Why is there a distinction between 40 and 70 days?**

Answer: The "forty days" refers specifically to the active desiccation phase of the embalming process, where the body was treated with natron salts to prevent decay. This was the most critical part of mummification. The "seventy days" encompasses the entire mummification procedure, including the initial forty days, followed by the washing, anointing, and wrapping of the body in linen bandages, and placing it within its coffins. It also accounts for the full period of public mourning and funerary rites observed by the Egyptians, which extended beyond the physical preservation of the body. This distinction highlights the different stages of the elaborate Egyptian burial customs for a revered figure like Jacob.

**Did the Israelites typically practice embalming like the Egyptians?**

Answer: No, embalming was not a typical Israelite practice. The Israelites generally buried their dead quickly, often on the same day, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Burial of the Executed"). Their theological understanding emphasized that the body returned to dust (as in [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Dust you are and to dust you will return")), and their focus was on the spiritual state of the deceased and the hope of resurrection, rather than the preservation of the physical body. The embalming of Jacob and later Joseph ([Genesis 50:26](/genesis/50-26 "Joseph's embalming")) were exceptions, influenced by their unique circumstances and high status within Egyptian society, not a reflection of standard Israelite funerary customs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 50:3 details ancient funerary customs, it subtly foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over death and decay. The meticulous, time-bound efforts to preserve Jacob's body through embalming, a temporary measure against corruption, stand in stark contrast to the eternal preservation of Christ's body. The Psalmist prophesied that God would not allow His Holy One to "see corruption" ([Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - God's Holy One Will Not See Corruption")), a prophecy explicitly applied to Jesus' resurrection by Peter in [Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - Peter's Sermon on Christ's Resurrection") and [Acts 13:35-37](/acts/13-35-37 "Acts 13:35-37 - Paul's Sermon on Christ's Resurrection"). Jacob's body, despite embalming, would eventually decay, but Christ's body was raised imperishable, signifying His divine power and the promise of resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:53-57](/1_corinthians/15-53-57 "1 Corinthians 15:53-57 - Victory Over Death")). Furthermore, the immense honor and national mourning shown to Jacob, a patriarch of God's chosen people, points to the unparalleled honor and reverence due to Christ, the true King and Lord over all, whose death and resurrection bring not just temporary comfort but everlasting life and true solace beyond any earthly mourning period ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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 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.

Genesis 50:10

And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

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.