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Genesis 50:26 - Egyptian coffin, future redemption?

Genesis 50:26 - בראשית 50:26

Hebrew Text

וַיָּמָת יוֹסֵף בֶּן־מֵאָה וָעֶשֶׂר שָׁנִים וַיַּחַנְטוּ אֹתוֹ וַיִּישֶׂם בָּאָרוֹן בְּמִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

So Yosef died, being a hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Vayamot Yosef ben-me'a va'eser shanim vayachantu oto vayisem ba'aron bemitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּ֣מׇת יוֹסֵ֔ף בֶּן־מֵאָ֥ה וָעֶ֖שֶׂר שָׁנִ֑ים וַיַּחַנְט֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ וַיִּ֥ישֶׂם בָּאָר֖וֹן בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיָּ֣מׇת יוֹסֵ֔ף בֶּן־מֵאָ֥ה וָעֶ֖שֶׂר שָׁנִ֑ים וַיַּחַנְט֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ וַיִּ֥ישֶׂם בָּאָר֖וֹן בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Age of Yosef at His Passing

The verse states that Yosef died at the age of 110 years. Rashi (Bereshit 50:26) notes that this age is significant because it is ten years less than his father Yaakov's lifespan (147 years). This teaches that Yosef was punished with a shortened life for hearing his father's distress when his brothers presented Yaakov with Yosef's bloodstained coat (Bereshit 37:31-35) and remaining silent instead of revealing the truth. Ramban (Bereshit 50:26) adds that Yosef's lifespan of 110 years parallels the years of exile foretold to Avraham (Bereshit 15:13), symbolizing his role in sustaining Bnei Yisrael in Egypt.

The Embalming of Yosef

The Torah states that Yosef was embalmed ("וַיַּחַנְטוּ אֹתוֹ"). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 100:3) explains that this was done at Yosef's request to preserve his body until the eventual Exodus, when his bones would be taken to Eretz Yisrael. Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 5:15) derives from this the importance of honoring the righteous even after death. The Sforno (Bereshit 50:26) suggests that the embalming also served to prevent the Egyptians from deifying Yosef after his passing, as they did with their own leaders.

Yosef's Coffin in Egypt

The verse concludes that Yosef was placed in a coffin ("אָרוֹן") in Egypt. The Talmud (Sotah 13a) teaches that this coffin was submerged in the Nile River, following Egyptian custom for honored leaders. The Midrash (Tanchuma Vayechi 17) states that Moshe later needed Divine assistance to locate Yosef's coffin during the Exodus. The use of the word "אָרוֹן" (also meaning "Ark") connects Yosef's coffin to the Ark of the Covenant, suggesting his righteousness preserved Israel just as the Ark later would.

Significance of the Location

The fact that Yosef remained in Egypt rather than being buried immediately in Eretz Yisrael carries deep meaning. The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 50:26) explains that this served as a constant reminder to Bnei Yisrael of their eventual redemption, as Yosef's final request was for his bones to be taken up from Egypt (Bereshit 50:25). This parallels the later commandment to remember the Exodus, with Yosef's preserved remains serving as a physical reminder of the promised redemption.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 13b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the death and burial of Yosef, emphasizing the honor given to him by the Egyptians and the significance of his remains being taken out of Egypt by the Israelites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Yosef embalmed when he died?
A: According to Rashi (Genesis 50:26), Yosef was embalmed because he was a ruler in Egypt, and it was their custom to embalm noble figures. Additionally, the Midrash (Tanchuma Vayechi 12) explains that this was done to preserve his body until the time when the Jewish people would leave Egypt, as Yosef had requested his bones be taken with them.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Yosef's age at death (110 years)?
A: The Torah specifies Yosef's age to show he died younger than his father Yaakov (who lived 147 years). The Talmud (Berachot 55a) explains this was because Yosef sometimes acted with authority over his brothers (when he was viceroy), which slightly shortened his lifespan. However, 110 years was still considered a blessed age in Egyptian culture.
Q: Why was Yosef placed in a coffin in Egypt instead of being buried?
A: As Ramban (Genesis 50:25) explains, Yosef made his brothers swear to eventually take his bones out of Egypt when the Jewish people would be redeemed. Therefore, his body was preserved in a coffin in Egypt temporarily until Moshe would fulfill this promise centuries later (as mentioned in Exodus 13:19). This showed Yosef's faith in the future redemption.