Chapter 50

Joseph has Jacob embalmed as the Egyptians embalm.  And Egypt weeps for Jacob 70 days.

Once Jacob dies, Joseph seeks Pharoah's permission to take his embalmed body to Machpelah and bury him in the tomb of his fathers.  Pharaoh consents.  A huge group goes with Jacob.  They leave only their children and their flocks in Goshen, and go bury Jacob.  This cave, according to info I found, is actually inside the city limits of Hebron, in the west bank.  It is sacred to both Muslims and Christians...and I suppose also to Jews.

2023 - Sonny visited this place in Hebron.  It has a building built over it.  One side only admits non-Muslims, the other side, only Muslims.  I believe Jacob is on the Muslim side and all the others are on the non-Muslim side.  It is all very elaborate.  Whether it is the actual cave at Machpelah I do not know.

Joseph lives to be 110.  He saw Ephraim's children to the third generation.  Joseph tells them that God will visit and take them all back to the land of Canaan, and Joseph wants his embalmed body taken back and buried with his father.

2026 - So Israel and Joseph are embalmed in Egypt and ultimately laid to rest in the cave at Machpelah.  What of the other brothers?  All buried in Egypt?  Perhaps when Joseph's bones are laid to rest the cave was sealed and no further family members were buried there?  Interesting that it would be Joseph who is the last "distinguished" until Moses.