Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter_Kirk AT sil.org]

Perhaps Joseph's concern for his bones can be linked to his becoming 
son-in-law of the priest of the most ancient cultic centre of Egypt, 
On or Heliopolis (Gen 41:50). Maybe he forgot not only his trouble and 
his father's household (verse 51), but his father's language (see my 
previous posting) and his father's burial practices. He did not forget 
his homeland, but his way of expressing this (50:25) after more than 
90 years in Egypt may have been rather Egyptian. Even Jacob's death 
and burial, after 17 years in Egypt (47:28) followed many Egyptian 
customs (49:29-50:14).

Peter Kirk