Jacob, also known as Israel, was a patriarch of the Israelites, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham and Sarah. His life and legacy are foundational to the history of Israel, and his final request concerning his burial is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis.

Background

Jacob spent the latter part of his life in Egypt, where he and his family settled during a severe famine. This relocation was facilitated by his son Joseph, who had risen to a position of power in Egypt. As Jacob's life drew to a close, he made a solemn request to his sons regarding his burial. He desired to be laid to rest in the land of Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham had purchased as a family burial site (Genesis 49:29-32).

Jacob's Request

Before his death, Jacob called his son Joseph to his side and made him swear an oath to carry out his burial wishes. Jacob said, "Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place" (Genesis 47:29-30). This request underscored Jacob's faith in God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and himself regarding the land of Canaan.

Fulfillment of the Request

After Jacob's death, Joseph honored his father's request. Genesis 50:1-14 details the fulfillment of Jacob's burial request. Joseph ordered the embalming of his father, a process that took forty days, and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. Following this period of mourning, Joseph sought and received permission from Pharaoh to leave Egypt and bury his father in Canaan.

Joseph, along with his brothers and a large entourage of Egyptian officials, traveled to Canaan. The procession was significant, reflecting both the respect for Jacob and the high regard in which Joseph was held in Egypt. Upon reaching the cave of Machpelah, Jacob was buried with his ancestors, fulfilling his desire to be laid to rest in the land promised by God to his forefathers.

Significance

Jacob's burial in Canaan is more than a fulfillment of a personal request; it is a testament to his unwavering faith in God's covenant promises. By ensuring his burial in the Promised Land, Jacob affirmed his belief in the future inheritance of the land by his descendants. This act served as a tangible reminder to the Israelites of their divine heritage and the faithfulness of God to His promises.

The burial of Jacob also prefigures the eventual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, as it foreshadows their return to the land of Canaan. Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan highlights the importance of the land in the biblical narrative and the enduring hope of God's people in His promises.