Verse

Genesis 50:3

ESV Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.
NIV taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
NASB Now forty days were required for it, for such is the period required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.
CSB They took forty days to complete this, for embalming takes that long, and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
NLT The embalming process took the usual forty days. And the Egyptians mourned his death for seventy days.
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.
NKJV Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

What does Genesis 50:3 mean?

The man God renamed Israel (Genesis 35:10–11) has died (Genesis 49:33). Jacob's son, Joseph, second in command over the nation of Egypt (Genesis 41:44), has ordered his father's body to be embalmed (Genesis 50:1–2). Egyptian mummification varied from era to era, but it was usually an extensive process. Typical steps included removal of internal organs, insertion of spices into the body, and extensive soaking in preserving liquids.

In addition, all of Egypt seems to enter a period of state-sponsored mourning for Joseph's father. Scholars indicate the standard period of mourning following the death of a Pharaoh was 72 days. Jacob was mourned in Egypt for 70 days, an enormous honor for the shepherd from whom the people of Israel would take their name.
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