Exodus 13:19

KJV

And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} took {H3947} the bones {H6106} of Joseph {H3130} with him: for he had straitly {H7650} sworn {H7650} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, God {H430} will surely {H6485} visit {H6485} you; and ye shall carry up {H5927} my bones {H6106} away {H5927} hence with you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him, for Yosef had made the people of Isra'el swear an oath when he said, "God will certainly remember you; and you are to carry my bones up with you, away from here."

Berean Standard Bible

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”

American Standard Version

And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 13:19 records the pivotal moment when Moses, amidst the urgency of the Exodus, faithfully carried Joseph's bones out of Egypt. This profound act, rooted in a centuries-old oath, powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, the Israelites' deep commitment to their ancestral heritage, and their enduring hope in the ultimate fulfillment of the Promised Land. It serves as a tangible testament to God's meticulous orchestration of history to bring His long-term redemptive plans to fruition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned at a critical juncture in the Exodus narrative, immediately following the detailed accounts of the [Passover institution](/exodus/12 "The Passover and the Exodus") and the [consecration of the firstborn](/exodus/13-1 "Consecration of the Firstborn"). These preceding events emphasize God's mighty hand in delivering His people from 430 years of Egyptian bondage, marking their definitive departure. Exodus 13:19, therefore, highlights a crucial human act of obedience and remembrance amidst divine liberation. It serves as a bridge, connecting the historical fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (that his descendants would return to Canaan) with the immediate narrative of God leading Israel by a [pillar of cloud and fire](/exodus/13-21 "God leads Israel by cloud and fire") towards the Red Sea and their wilderness journey.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the disposition of ancestral remains and burial practices held immense cultural and theological significance. To be buried in one's homeland or with one's ancestors was considered vital for identity, belonging, and continuity of lineage, signifying a profound connection to the land and family. Conversely, being denied proper burial or having one's bones remain in foreign soil was often viewed as a great dishonor or tragedy. Joseph's dying wish, recorded in [Genesis 50:25](/genesis/50-25 "Joseph's dying wish"), was thus far more than a sentimental request; it was a profound theological statement. By exacting an oath from his family to carry his bones to Canaan, he expressed unwavering faith in God's covenant promise of the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even though he would not live to see its immediate fulfillment. This act of transporting bones across generations symbolized a continuous claim to the promised inheritance and a deep commitment to a shared destiny within a covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 13:19 powerfully contributes to several major themes woven throughout the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It exemplifies **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, demonstrating that His word, though spanning centuries, is always fulfilled. It underscores the theme of **remembrance and continuity**, showing how the Israelites honored a multi-generational oath, thereby affirming their identity as a people bound by a shared history and divine destiny. Furthermore, it highlights the **power of faith and hope** in the face of daunting circumstances, as Joseph's dying act, and Moses' subsequent obedience, served as a tangible symbol of the future inheritance in the Promised Land, even during their arduous journey through the wilderness. This verse also subtly reinforces the theme of **divine guidance and presence**, as God orchestrates events to ensure His promises are realized.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 13:19 states: "And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you."

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bones (Hebrew, _ʻetsem'_):** From a root meaning "to be strong," this word refers to a bone, and by extension, the body or even the substance/selfsame. In this context, "bones" represents the physical remains of Joseph, but more profoundly, it symbolizes his enduring legacy, his faith, and the tangible link to the ancestral promise. The act of carrying his bones was a weighty, physical manifestation of a spiritual commitment.
* **straitly sworn (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to seven oneself," implying to swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times), thus binding oneself by an oath. The adverb "straitly" emphasizes the solemnity, gravity, and binding nature of Joseph's oath. It highlights the sacredness of covenants and commitments within ancient Israelite culture, indicating a promise made with the utmost seriousness and expected adherence.
* **surely visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This is an emphatic construction using the infinitive absolute of the verb *paqad*, meaning "to visit, oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit." The repetition ("pâqod yiphqod") conveys absolute certainty and intensity. It signifies that God will "certainly, without fail, visit" His people, implying a divine intervention on their behalf, a remembering of His covenant, and an act of deliverance or redemption. It is a powerful declaration of God's active involvement in human history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him":** This opening clause immediately establishes Moses' direct and immediate obedience to a directive given centuries prior. Amidst the chaos and urgency of the Exodus, this deliberate act of remembering and honoring Joseph's dying wish demonstrates a profound commitment to ancestral faith and the fulfillment of divine promise. It physically links the past promise with the present fulfillment, showing Moses as the faithful instrument of God's long-term plan.
* **"for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying,":** This explanatory clause provides the crucial context for Moses' action. Joseph, before his death, had exacted a solemn and binding oath from his family, a directive meticulously recorded in [Genesis 50:25](/genesis/50-25 "Joseph's dying wish"). The phrase "straitly sworn" underscores the enduring, covenantal nature of this promise, passed down and honored through generations, emphasizing the weight of such an ancestral commitment.
* **"God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.":** This is the precise content of Joseph's oath, revealing the depth of his faith. His conviction was rooted in the absolute certainty that God would "surely visit" (intervene for) His people, leading them out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Therefore, carrying his bones was not merely about his personal burial preference but served as a living testament to his unwavering belief in God's covenant promises and a powerful symbol of Israel's future inheritance in Canaan. It was a physical marker of their true, divinely appointed home.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Emphasis** through **repetition** in the Hebrew phrase "surely visit" (pâqod yiphqod), an infinitive absolute construction that underscores the absolute certainty and intensity of God's promised divine intervention and deliverance. This linguistic emphasis powerfully mirrors the theological certainty of God's faithfulness. Furthermore, the act of carrying Joseph's bones functions as profound **Symbolism**. The physical burden of the bones represents the spiritual weight of the covenant promise, serving as a constant, tangible reminder of their destination and God's faithfulness throughout the wilderness journey. It is a **Metonymy**, where "bones" stand for Joseph's entire legacy and the enduring hope of the Abrahamic covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 13:19 is pregnant with theological significance, revealing profound truths about God's character and humanity's response.

* The primary theological truth is God's absolute and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Joseph's prophecy, made centuries prior, and its meticulous fulfillment demonstrate that God remembers His covenant, as powerfully stated in [Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "God remembers His covenant"), and meticulously orchestrates history to bring His redemptive plans to fruition, even across vast spans of time and in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
* This verse also highlights the enduring power of hope rooted in divine promises. Joseph's request, born of profound faith in God's promise of the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ([Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's covenant with Abraham")), showcased his conviction that Israel's true home and inheritance lay in God's promised land, not in the splendor of Egypt. This hope sustained generations.
* The Israelites' diligent act of carrying Joseph's bones underscores the importance of honoring commitments and the continuity of faith across generations, reinforcing the idea of Israel as a people bound by a shared covenant history and future. This act of obedience is notably celebrated in the New Testament as an exemplary act of faith ([Hebrews 11:22](/hebrews/11-22 "Joseph's faith in Hebrews")).
* The presence of Joseph's bones during their journey transformed a physical burden into a spiritual beacon, constantly reminding them that their ultimate destination was the land God had promised. The eventual burial of Joseph's bones in Shechem ([Joshua 24:32](/joshua/24-32 "Joseph's burial in Shechem")) marked the complete and tangible fulfillment of this multi-generational promise.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 13:19 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers, encouraging us to cultivate a forward-looking faith anchored in God's unchanging word. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His promise to Joseph and Israel after centuries of waiting, we can possess unwavering confidence that God will ultimately fulfill all His promises to us, even if their realization seems distant, challenging, or beyond our immediate comprehension. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's timing is perfect, His purposes are unshakeable, and His sovereign will shall always prevail. Joseph's act of faith concerning his future burial, believing in a promise he would not see fully realized in his lifetime, inspires us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond immediate circumstances, trusting in God's unseen hand and His ultimate, glorious plan for our lives and the world. Furthermore, the Israelites' diligence in carrying out Joseph's oath, even amid the urgency and chaos of their liberation, profoundly emphasizes the importance of integrity, faithfulness, and steadfastness in keeping our word, both to God and to others. Our commitments, especially those made in the light of God's truth, reflect our character and our reverence for divine principles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "long-term promises" of God are you currently waiting for, and how can Joseph's story strengthen your faith and perseverance during this waiting period?**
* **In what areas of your life might you need to demonstrate greater faithfulness to a commitment or calling, even when it's inconvenient or requires a long-term perspective?**
* **How does the tangible act of carrying Joseph's bones relate to the "tangible" ways we remember and carry forward God's promises and the legacy of faith in our own lives, families, or communities today?**

### FAQ
**Why was carrying Joseph's bones so important to the Israelites?**

Answer: Carrying Joseph's bones was profoundly important for several interconnected reasons. Primarily, it was an act of direct obedience to a solemn oath made by their revered ancestor, Joseph, demonstrating the Israelites' faithfulness to their covenant heritage and the sanctity of promises passed down through generations. Theologically, it symbolized their unwavering faith in God's promise to bring them to the Promised Land, a conviction Joseph held even while serving as a powerful ruler in Egypt. Joseph's dying wish not to be buried in Egypt, despite his high status there, powerfully underscored his conviction that Israel's true and ultimate home was in Canaan, the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Thus, carrying his bones served as a tangible, constant reminder of their divinely appointed destination and God's enduring faithfulness throughout their arduous wilderness journey.

**Did they carry the bones for the entire 40 years in the wilderness?**

Answer: Yes, the biblical record explicitly indicates that Joseph's bones were carried throughout the entirety of the wilderness wanderings. [Joshua 24:32](/joshua/24-32 "Joseph's burial in Shechem") records their eventual burial in Shechem, within the land of Canaan, only after the Israelites had successfully entered and begun to possess the promised territory. This remarkable dedication highlights the incredible commitment and perseverance of the Israelites in fulfilling this multi-generational, sacred promise, underscoring the profound significance of Joseph's dying request.

**Does Joseph's request imply a belief in an afterlife or resurrection?**

Answer: While the primary focus of Joseph's request was on the fulfillment of the land promise and his desire to be buried with his ancestors in the promised land, it certainly reflects a robust and forward-looking faith in God's future dealings with His people. The New Testament, in [Hebrews 11:22](/hebrews/11-22 "Joseph's faith in Hebrews"), celebrates Joseph's faith, noting that "by faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones." This "faith" encompasses not just the physical exodus but also the ultimate hope of God's redemptive plan, which for believers includes resurrection and eternal life. While the Old Testament's understanding of the afterlife was progressively revealed, Joseph's act undeniably points to a hope beyond this earthly life and a profound trust in God's ultimate restoration and faithfulness to His covenant people, even in death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The poignant narrative of Joseph's bones, carried as a tangible symbol of hope and a promise of future inheritance, finds its most profound fulfillment and ultimate amplification in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Joseph's unwavering faith in God's promise to "surely visit" His people and bring them to the Promised Land foreshadows the ultimate and decisive "visitation" of God in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. All of God's magnificent promises, spanning all of history, find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's promises are 'Yes' in Christ")), who perfectly embodies and fulfills every covenant. The long, generational wait for Joseph's bones to reach their promised resting place in Canaan beautifully points to the even longer, yet ultimately fulfilled, anticipation of the Messiah who would bring about God's final and complete redemption, not merely from physical slavery, but from the bondage of sin and death. Joseph's desire for his bones to be carried to the earthly promised land symbolizes the hope of an earthly inheritance, but in Christ, believers are granted a far greater, eternal, and spiritual inheritance—not merely a physical land, but spiritual blessings beyond measure, adoption as children of God, and a secure place in the heavenly Jerusalem ([Hebrews 11:13-16](/hebrews/11-13 "Abraham's faith in a heavenly city") speaks of Abraham and others looking for a "better country—a heavenly one"). Jesus Himself is our ultimate inheritance and the one who perfectly leads us to our true, eternal home. The Israelites' journey with Joseph's bones was a constant, tangible reminder of their future; similarly, the Christian life is a journey of faith, where Jesus Christ is the ultimate "symbol" or "living hope" we carry within us ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory")). His historical death, burial, and glorious resurrection are the irrefutable guarantee of our own future resurrection and our triumphant entrance into God's eternal presence. Just as Joseph's bones were eventually laid to rest in the promised land, so too will believers find their ultimate rest, fulfillment, and eternal inheritance in Christ in the New Heavens and New Earth. Joseph's act of faith concerning his bones, even in death, powerfully points to Christ, who conquered death itself, demonstrating that God "visits" His people not just with deliverance from earthly oppression, but with ultimate deliverance from sin and death, securing eternal life for all who believe in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 50:24

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Genesis 50:25

And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

Joshua 24:32

And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.

Acts 7:16

And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [the father] of Sychem.

Genesis 48:21

And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

Luke 7:16

And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Exodus 4:31

And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.