1. Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him.
2. Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel.
3. Forty days were used for him, for that is how many the days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for Israel for seventy days.
4. When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favour in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,
5. ‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying. Bury me in my grave which I have dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come again.’”
6. Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.”