94. Eyes Closed

By: James M. Freeman

Genesis 46:4⁴I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. (Genesis 46:4) Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

It was an ancient custom that the nearest of kin should close the eyes of a deceased person, and give a parting kiss to the corpse. It was a comforting assurance to Jacob that his beloved Joseph, whom he had for many years mourned as dead, should perform this filial office for him. At Jacob’s death we are told that Joseph kissed him (Gen. 50:1¹And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. (Genesis 50:1)), and it is to be presumed that he also closed the eyes of the patriarch, as God had promised.

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