And Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So they embalmed him,
Parallel translations
- WEB Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel.
- KJV And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.
- NKJV And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.
- NASB Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.
- NLT Then Joseph told the physicians who served him to embalm his father’s body; so Jacob was embalmed.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joseph has the physicians embalm Israel according to Egyptian custom.
Overview
Embalming prepared the body for the long journey to Canaan and reflects Joseph's high standing in Egypt. The act shows respectful care while also serving the practical aim of fulfilling Jacob's burial wishes. It illustrates how God's people may wisely use the customs around them to honor godly purposes.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 2 Chr 16:14And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.
- Gen 50:26So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt.
- Mark 16:1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
- John 19:39–40Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
- Matt 26:12By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.
- Luke 24:1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
- John 12:7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.
- Mark 14:8She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 50:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.