Genesis 47:30

KJV

But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I will lie {H7901} with my fathers {H1}, and thou shalt carry {H5375} me out of Egypt {H4714}, and bury {H6912} me in their buryingplace {H6900}. And he said {H559}, I will do {H6213} as thou hast said {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, when I sleep with my fathers, you are to carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." He replied, "I will do as you have said."

Berean Standard Bible

but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.”

American Standard Version

but when I sleep with my fathers, thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying-place. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 47:30 records Jacob's solemn request to his son Joseph, asking to be buried not in Egypt, but with his ancestors in the Promised Land. This poignant moment, met with Joseph's immediate and respectful agreement, underscores Jacob's unwavering faith in God's covenant promises, his deep familial loyalty, and his enduring hope for an eternal inheritance beyond his earthly life in a foreign land.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 47:30 captures a poignant moment between Jacob (also called Israel) and his son Joseph. At this point, Jacob is old and living in Egypt, where his family has been sustained by Joseph's wisdom and provision during a severe famine. Knowing his death is near, Jacob expresses his final, deeply significant wish to Joseph. This verse follows Jacob's request in [Genesis 47:29](/genesis/47-29 "Jacob's request for an oath from Joseph"), where he asks Joseph to swear an oath concerning his burial place, emphasizing the solemnity and importance of this request.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In [Genesis 47:30](/genesis/47-30 "Jacob's dying wish to Joseph"), Jacob, sensing his impending death, makes a profound request to his beloved son Joseph: "But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace." The phrase "I will lie with my fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for dying and being gathered to one's ancestors. It signifies a peaceful departure and joining deceased family members in their designated resting place, implying a connection to one's lineage rather than a shared conscious existence in the grave.

Jacob's insistence on being carried "out of Egypt" and buried "in their buryingplace" reveals a deep spiritual conviction. The "buryingplace" refers specifically to the [Cave of Machpelah in Hebron](/genesis/23-19 "Abraham's purchase of the Cave of Machpelah"), which Abraham had purchased and where Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were interred. This desire was not merely sentimental; it was an act of faith, a symbolic claim on the land God had promised to Abraham and his descendants, even while living and dying outside of it. It demonstrated Jacob's belief that God would ultimately fulfill His covenant to bring His people back to Canaan.

Joseph's immediate response, "I will do as thou hast said," highlights his profound respect and filial piety towards his father. This ready agreement underscores the paramount importance of honoring a parent's dying wish, especially one so deeply tied to spiritual heritage and covenant promises. Jacob later reiterates these specific instructions for his burial to all his sons in [Genesis 49:29-32](/genesis/49-29 "Jacob's final instructions to his sons"), and his burial is meticulously recounted in [Genesis 50:13](/genesis/50-13 "The burial of Jacob"). This request also foreshadows Joseph's own dying wish, recorded in [Genesis 50:25](/genesis/50-25 "Joseph's dying request"), where he similarly asks his brothers to carry his bones out of Egypt when God brings them back to the Promised Land, an act of faith commended in [Hebrews 11:22](/hebrews/11-22 "Joseph's faith concerning his bones").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Faith in God's Promises:** Jacob's earnest desire to be buried in Canaan, rather than in Egypt, is a profound expression of his unwavering faith in God's covenant promises. He believed God would ultimately bring his descendants back to the [Promised Land](/genesis/12-7 "God's promise of the land to Abraham"), and his burial there was a symbolic act of claiming that future inheritance, even in death. This act echoes the faith of his ancestors, Abraham and Isaac, regarding the land.
* **Family Loyalty and Honor:** Joseph's immediate agreement to his father's request highlights the deep respect, loyalty, and filial piety prevalent within this patriarchal family. Honoring a parent's dying wish, especially one so tied to spiritual heritage, was paramount. Joseph's commitment ensured peace for his father in his final days.
* **Hope Beyond This Life:** While not explicitly a statement on resurrection, Jacob's insistence on being buried with his "fathers" in their designated burying place points to a sense of continuity and a hope that transcends the immediate circumstances of life in Egypt. It speaks to a yearning for his true spiritual home, a theme echoed later in the New Testament concerning a [better, heavenly country](/hebrews/11-16 "The longing for a heavenly country").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jacob's final request teaches us about enduring faith and the significance of our spiritual heritage. Even in a foreign land and facing death, Jacob's heart remained fixed on God's promises. This verse encourages believers today to live with an eternal perspective, remembering that our true citizenship and ultimate home are not found in this world, but in God's eternal kingdom, as [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Our citizenship is in heaven") reminds us. Furthermore, the ready agreement of Joseph to fulfill his father's request underscores the importance of honoring our elders and faithfully keeping our promises, demonstrating the value of family loyalty and commitment. Finally, Jacob's desire to be buried with his ancestors in the Promised Land was a testament to the generational faith that defined his family, calling us to live lives that inspire and pass on a strong spiritual legacy to future generations.

### FAQ
**Why was burial in Canaan so important to Jacob?**

Answer: Burial in Canaan was crucial for Jacob primarily as an act of faith in God's covenant promises. The land of Canaan was the Promised Land, given by God to Abraham and his descendants. By desiring to be buried there, Jacob was symbolically claiming his inheritance and expressing his belief that God would fulfill His promise to bring his people back to that land. It was a testament to his spiritual identity and his hope in God's faithfulness, even in death.

**What does the phrase "I will lie with my fathers" signify?**

Answer: "I will lie with my fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for dying and being gathered to one's ancestors. It signifies a peaceful departure from earthly life and a communal burial with one's deceased family members in their designated resting place. It emphasizes a connection to one's lineage and heritage, rather than necessarily implying a shared conscious existence in the grave.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's longing to be buried in the Promised Land, rather than in Egypt, profoundly foreshadows the believer's ultimate hope and inheritance in Christ. His desire for a physical resting place in the land of promise points to the spiritual rest and eternal home found in Jesus Christ, who is the true fulfillment of all God's promises. The "better, heavenly country" that Jacob's faith implicitly yearned for ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "The longing for a heavenly country")) is ultimately realized through Christ's redemptive work, which secures for believers a spiritual inheritance and resurrection hope far beyond any earthly burial place. Through Christ, we are granted citizenship in a heavenly kingdom and the promise of a new heavens and new earth, where true and everlasting rest with God is found.

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.