Genesis 50 Footnotes

50:1-3 Embalming was common only among royal families during this time. Joseph had his father embalmed because he could not be buried immediately. The journey back to Canaan would be a long one. The seventy-day period of mourning may represent a month beyond the forty days it took for embalming. Joseph was also embalmed at his death so his remains could be taken to Canaan for burial when his people returned to the promised land (vv. 24-26; Jos 24:32).

50:22-26 Dying at 110 years, more than 90 years of which he had lived in Egypt (37:2,36), Joseph did not live as long as his immediate forefathers: Jacob, 147 years (47:28); Isaac, 180 years (35:28); Abraham, 175 years (25:7). He did, however, live long enough to see his great-grandchildren. When he neared death, like Jacob (49:29-32) he insisted on being buried in Canaan. He was embalmed, partly because of his high position in Egypt but also so that his remains could be transported home in the future.