Genesis 50:5

My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.

My father {H1} made me swear {H7650}, saying {H559}, Lo {H2009}, I die {H4191}: in my grave {H6913} which I have digged {H3738} for me in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, there shalt thou bury me {H6912}. Now therefore let me go up {H5927}, I pray thee, and bury {H6912} my father {H1}, and I will come again {H7725}.

'My father had me swear an oath. He said, "I am going to die. You are to bury me in my grave, which I dug for myself in the land of Kena'an."Therefore, I beg you, let me go up and bury my father; I will return.'"

my father made me swear an oath when he said, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father, and then return.”

My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.

Commentary

Genesis 50:5 records Joseph's earnest plea to Pharaoh, requesting permission to travel to the land of Canaan to bury his deceased father, Jacob. This verse highlights Joseph's deep respect for his father's dying wish and the solemn oath he had taken.

Context

This verse is set immediately after the death of Jacob in Egypt, as recorded in Genesis 49:33. Jacob had lived in Egypt for seventeen years under Joseph's care. Before his passing, Jacob made Joseph solemnly promise that he would not be buried in Egypt, but rather in the family burial plot in the land of Canaan, specifically in the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham had purchased (Genesis 49:29-32). Joseph, as the prime minister of Egypt, needed Pharaoh's explicit approval for such a significant journey, especially one involving a large funeral procession.

Key Themes

  • Filial Piety and Loyalty: Joseph demonstrates profound love and respect for his father by diligently seeking to fulfill his final request. This commitment underscores the strong family bonds prevalent among the patriarchs and the importance of honoring one's parents, a principle echoed throughout scripture (Exodus 20:12).
  • The Weight of an Oath: Jacob "made me swear" (Hebrew: shaba'), indicating a binding and serious commitment. In ancient cultures, an oath was not taken lightly, often invoking divine witness. Joseph's determination to uphold this oath reflects his integrity and faithfulness.
  • Significance of the Promised Land: Jacob's desire to be buried in Canaan, despite dying in Egypt, was an act of faith. It signified his belief in God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and himself regarding the land (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 15:18). For Jacob, burial in Canaan was a symbolic affirmation of his hope in God's ultimate fulfillment of that promise for his descendants.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "my grave which I have digged for me" implies Jacob's foresight and preparation. While the text elsewhere indicates the cave of Machpelah was a purchased family plot, this specific phrase suggests Jacob had a personal claim or perhaps even made further preparations within that family tomb for his own resting place. The word "digged" (Hebrew: kara) simply means to dig or excavate, emphasizing the personal nature of his burial wishes.

Reflection and Application

Genesis 50:5 reminds us of the enduring power of promises and the importance of integrity in fulfilling them, especially those made to loved ones. Joseph's actions serve as a powerful example of honoring one's commitments and the deep respect for ancestral wishes rooted in faith. Furthermore, Jacob's dying wish, focused on burial in the promised land, teaches us about anchoring our hopes and faith in God's eternal promises, even beyond our earthly lives. This deep connection to the land foreshadows Joseph's own final request for his bones to be carried out of Egypt when the Israelites eventually returned to Canaan (Genesis 50:25).

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 22:16 (5 votes)

    What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, [and] that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

  • 2 Chronicles 16:14 (5 votes)

    And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds [of spices] prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

  • Matthew 27:60 (4 votes)

    And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

  • Genesis 47:29 (3 votes)

    And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

  • Genesis 47:31 (3 votes)

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

  • Genesis 48:21 (2 votes)

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

  • Psalms 79:3 (2 votes)

    Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].