Tanakh & the Ancient Near East Index – Parashat Vayechi

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Overview

Knowledge of the history, law, cultic practices and realia of the Ancient Near East can often shed much light on Tanakh. This index contains a list of links to articles which touch on the connections between Tanakh and ancient cultures.

Animal Imagery

See Animals in Ancient Near Eastern Art for a brief introduction to the common use of animal images in Ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the lion as a symbol of kingship.

Embalming

See The Embalming of the Dead in the British Medical Journal for information about embalming practices in ancient Egypt and other societies.
See An Essay on Egyptian Mummies; With Observations on the Art of Embalming among the Ancient Egyptians, by A.B. Granville, for more detailed information about ancient Egyptian practices regarding preservation of corpses.

“Yosef Died at 110 Years”

There is evidence that 110 years was considered the ideal lifespan in Ancient Egypt, representing the greatest longevity that a person could achieve. For example, see Health in Ancient Egypt.