Genesis 47:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He said, "Swear it to me," and he swore to him. Then Isra'el bowed down at the head of his bed.

Berean Standard Bible:

“Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

American Standard Version:

And he said, Swear unto me: and he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he said^{H559}, Swear^{H7650} unto me. And he sware^{H7650} unto him. And Israel^{H3478} bowed^{H7812} himself upon the bed's^{H4296} head^{H7218}.

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Commentary for Genesis 47:31

Genesis 47:31 is a verse that captures a poignant moment near the end of the life of the biblical patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel. The historical context of this verse is set towards the end of the Book of Genesis, after Jacob and his family have settled in Egypt at the invitation of Joseph, who has become a powerful figure in the Egyptian court.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Promise and Trust**: Jacob, nearing death, seeks assurance from his son Joseph that he will not be buried in Egypt but in the land of his forefathers, Canaan. This request reflects Jacob's trust in God's promise to give the land to his descendants and his desire to be part of that promise in death as in life.

2. **Faithfulness**: Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan demonstrates his lifelong faith in God's covenant with his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac, which included the promise of the land.

3. **Family Loyalty and Continuity**: By asking Joseph to swear an oath, Jacob is ensuring that his wishes will be respected by his descendants. This act reinforces the importance of family bonds and the continuity of traditions and beliefs from one generation to the next.

4. **End of Life**: The verse also touches on the theme of mortality and the preparations one makes at the end of life. Jacob's actions reflect a desire to maintain dignity and control over his final resting place.

5. **The Transition of Leadership**: This moment marks the symbolic transition of leadership from Jacob to Joseph. By having Joseph swear an oath, Jacob is acknowledging Joseph's role as the new head of the family and trusting him to carry out his wishes.

In summary, Genesis 47:31 is a verse that encapsulates the themes of promise, faithfulness, family loyalty, mortality, and the transition of leadership within the context of Jacob securing his final wish to be buried in Canaan, thus reaffirming his trust in God's covenant as he nears the end of his life in Egypt.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7650
   There are 175 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁבַע
   Transliteration: shâbaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-bah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly to be complete, but used only as a denominative from שֶׁבַע; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times); adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for שָׂבַע), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7812
   There are 166 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁחָה
   Transliteration: shâchâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-khaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4296
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִטָּה
   Transliteration: miṭṭâh
   Pronunciation: mit-taw'
   Description: from נָטָה; a bed (as extended) forsleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier; bed(-chamber), bier.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7218
   There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹאשׁ
   Transliteration: rôʼsh
   Pronunciation: roshe
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.