The funeral procession of Jacob to Canaan was an unprecedented event that united a grieving family with the highest echelons of Egyptian leadership. No fewer than nine distinct groups formed the massive convoy that departed from Egypt, ranging from Joseph himself to the accompanying cavalry and chariots [רבנו בחיי, צאינה וראינה]. The extensive Egyptian participation stemmed from two primary motivations. First, there was a deep personal admiration for Jacob, who was regarded by the wise men of that generation as a great sage [ספורנו, ביאור יש״ר]. Second, out of profound respect for Joseph, the Egyptians joined the journey entirely on their own initiative, without needing a direct command from the king [ספורנו, העמק דבר]. Furthermore, this grand escort fulfilled a fundamental moral duty to accompany the deceased, ensuring that Jacob did not embark on his final journey without a proper and honorable send-off [קיצור בעל הטורים].
The leadership that joined the procession consisted of prominent judges and ministers. Their title as elders served as a mark of honor and authority rather than a simple description of old age [שד״ל]. These dignitaries were divided into two main factions: the highest-ranking officials of the royal court and the senior administrators of the entire nation [רש ר הירש]. Because it is unlikely that the king would be left in his palace without any attendants, the presence of the king's servants actually refers to the broader Egyptian populace who joined the procession, collectively acting as servants of the crown [אבן עזרא, מחוקקי יהודה]. A military escort of chariots and horsemen also traveled with the group, providing necessary protection against the threat of war breaking out along the journey [צרור המור].
The physical arrangement of the marchers reflected complex social dynamics. The Egyptian ministers walked as equals in the exact same row as Joseph, a status not shared by the lower-ranking cavalry members who followed [הכתב והקבלה]. Alternatively, this specific positioning implied a degree of separation. While the ministers traveled to honor Joseph, they deliberately kept a respectful distance and did not mingle with him, showing consideration for his deep state of mourning [העמק דבר].
A notable shift occurred in the marching order between the departure and the return. On the way to the burial, the Egyptians walked ahead of Jacob's family. However, on the journey back, the Israelites were placed first. Initially, the Egyptians did not show the Israelites adequate respect, but after witnessing the immense honor and the extraordinary eulogies Jacob received at his passing, they changed their attitude and granted the family precedence [תורה תמימה].
Ultimately, Joseph's absolute dedication to the burial of his father earned him a fitting reward. Even though all the brothers participated, it was Joseph, the greatest and most important among them, who took the lead. In return, when the time came for the Israelites to leave Egypt, Moses, the greatest leader of the nation, personally took charge of carrying Joseph's bones to their final resting place [תורה תמימה].