1
Joseph threw himself on his father, wept over him, and kissed him.
2
Joseph then instructed the physicians in his employ to embalm his father. The physicians embalmed Israel.
3
The embalming took forty days, the period required for embalming. There was public mourning by the Egyptians for seventy days.
4
When the period of mourning was completed, Joseph petitioned Pharaoh's court:
5
"If you have reason to think kindly of me, present Pharaoh with my request: My father made me swear, saying, 'I am ready to die. Bury me in the grave plot that I prepared for myself in the land of Canaan.' Please give me leave to go up and bury my father. Then I'll come back."
6
Pharaoh said, "Certainly. Go and bury your father as he made you promise under oath."
7
So Joseph left to bury his father. And all the high-ranking officials from Pharaoh's court went with him, all the dignitaries of Egypt,
8
joining Joseph's family - his brothers and his father's family. Their children and flocks and herds were left in Goshen.