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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 50:1–6.
Joseph is here paying his last respects to his deceased father. 1. With tears and kisses, and all the tender expressions of a filial affection, he takes leave of the deserted body, Gen 50:1. Though Jacob was old and decrepit, and must needs die in the course of nature - though he was poor comparatively, and a constant charge to his son Joseph, yet such an affection he had for a loving father, and so sensible was he of the loss of a prudent, pious, praying father, that he could not part with him without floods of tears. Note, As it is an honour to die lamented, so it is the duty of survivors to lament the death of those who have been useful in their day, though for some time they may have survived their usefulness. The departed soul is out of the reach of our tears and kisses, but with them it is proper to show our respect to the poor body, of which we look for a glorious and joyful resurrection. Thus Joseph showed his faith in God, and love to his father, by kissing his pale and cold lips, and so giving an affectionate farewell. Probably the rest of Jacob's sons did the same, much moved, no doubt, with his dying words. 2. He ordered the body to be embalmed (Gen 50:2), not only because he died in Egypt, and that was the manner of the Egyptians, but because he was to be carried to Canaan, which would be a work of time, and therefore it was necessary the body should be preserved as well as it might be from putrefaction. See how vile our bodies are, when the soul has forsaken them; without a great deal of art, and pains, and care, they will, in a very little time, become noisome. If the body have been dead four days, by that time it is offensive. 3. He observed the ceremony of solemn mourning for him, Gen 50:3. Forty days were taken up in embalming the body, which the Egyptians (they say) had an art of doing so curiously as to preserve the very features of the face unchanged; all this time, and thirty days more, seventy in all, they either confined themselves and sat solitary, or, when they went out, appeared in the habit of close mourners, according to the decent custom of the country. Even the Egyptians, many of them, out of the great respect they had for Joseph (whose good offices done for the king and country were now fresh in remembrance), put themselves into mourning for his father: as with us, when the court goes into mourning, those of the best quality do so too. About ten weeks was the court of Egypt in mourning for Jacob. Note, What they did in state, we should do in sincerity, weep with those that weep, and mourn with those that mourn, as being ourselves also in the body. 4. He asked and obtained leave of Pharaoh to go to Canaan, thither to attend the funeral of his father, Gen 50:4-6. (1.) It was a piece of necessary respect to Pharaoh that he would not go without leave; for we may suppose that, though his charge about the corn was long since over, yet he continued a prime-minister of state, and therefore would not be so long absent from his business without licence. (2.) He observed a decorum, in employing some of the royal family, or some of the officers of the household, to intercede for this licence, either because it was not proper for him in the days of his mourning to come into the presence-chamber, or because he would not presume too much upon his own interest. Note, Modesty is a great ornament to dignity. (3.) He pleaded the obligation his father had laid upon him, by an oath, to bury him in Canaan, Gen 50:5. It was not from pride or humour, but from his regard to an indispensable duty, that he desired it. All nations reckon that oaths must be performed, and the will of the dead must be observed. (4.) He promised to return: I will come again. When we return to our own houses from burying the bodies of our relations, we say, "We have left them behind;" but, if their souls have gone to our heavenly Father's house, we may say with more reason, "They have left us behind." (5.) He obtained leave (Gen 50:6): Go and bury thy father. Pharaoh was willing his business should stand still so long; but the service of Christ is more needful, and therefore he would not allow one that had work to do for him to go first and bury his father; no, Let the dead bury their dead, Mat 8:22.
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Summary
This verse captures Joseph's solemn appeal to Pharaoh, requesting permission to travel to the land of Canaan to fulfill the dying wish of his father, Jacob, concerning his burial. It powerfully demonstrates Joseph's profound filial piety, his unwavering commitment to a sacred oath, and the deep theological significance of Jacob's desire to be interred in the Promised Land, which underscores his enduring faith in God's covenant promises for his descendants.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated immediately after the poignant account of Jacob's death and the subsequent period of mourning in Egypt. Prior to his passing, Jacob had extracted a solemn oath from Joseph, his most powerful son, ensuring he would not be buried in Egypt. Instead, Jacob insisted on being laid to rest in the ancestral burial ground, the cave of Machpelah, in the land of Canaan—a site purchased by Abraham and where Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were interred (as detailed in Genesis 49:29-32). Joseph, as the highly esteemed prime minister of Egypt, understood the necessity of obtaining Pharaoh's explicit permission for such a significant and public undertaking, particularly one involving a large retinue traveling outside Egyptian borders.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Egypt, elaborate burial rituals were paramount, often involving mummification and interment within Egypt itself, reflecting their belief in the afterlife tied to the land. For a high-ranking official like Joseph to request an external burial for his father was highly unusual and required royal decree. Oaths in the ancient Near East were extremely serious, often invoked with divine witnesses, and breaking them carried severe social and religious consequences. Furthermore, the concept of land was deeply tied to identity, inheritance, and divine promise. For the patriarchs, Canaan was not just a geographical location but the promised inheritance from God, making burial there a powerful statement of faith and continuity with their ancestral covenant.
Key Themes
Genesis 50:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of Filial Piety and Family Loyalty, as Joseph diligently honors his father's dying wish, even at great personal and political effort. It underscores the Sanctity of Oaths and Covenants, demonstrating the binding nature of promises made before God and man. Most profoundly, it reinforces the Significance of the Promised Land as the central locus of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, a theme that resonates throughout the patriarchal narratives and culminates in the Exodus and conquest. Jacob's insistence on burial in Canaan, despite dying in Egypt, is a powerful testament to his enduring faith in God's ultimate plan for his people to inherit the land.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "to seven oneself," implying a solemn declaration repeated seven times, thus making it a binding oath. Here, it underscores the gravity and sacredness of the promise Joseph made to Jacob, invoking a divine witness to its fulfillment.
Meaning "to dig" or "to bore or open." While the family tomb was already established, Jacob's use of this word emphasizes his personal foresight and deliberate intention in securing his specific resting place within the ancestral burial plot in Canaan, highlighting his active participation in preparing for his final resting place.
Referring to the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. Jacob's insistence on burial in Canaan, despite his death in Egypt, powerfully signifies his unwavering faith in God's covenant promises regarding the land as the rightful inheritance for Israel, linking his personal destiny to the divine plan for his people.
Verse Breakdown
"My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die"
This opening clause immediately establishes the solemn and binding nature of Joseph's request. The phrase "made me swear" (Hebrew: shâbaʻ) indicates a sacred oath, likely invoked with divine witness, emphasizing the profound obligation Joseph felt. Jacob's direct quote, "Lo, I die," conveys the urgency and finality of his dying instruction, highlighting the gravity of the promise Joseph committed to.
"in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me"
This segment specifies the precise location and nature of Jacob's burial wish. While the cave of Machpelah was an ancestral tomb, Jacob's phrasing "my grave which I have digged for me" (Hebrew: asher kariti li) suggests a personal claim or preparation within that family plot, underscoring his deliberate intention. The explicit mention of "the land of Canaan" is paramount, linking his final resting place directly to the covenant promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and himself, reinforcing his faith in the promised inheritance.
"Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again"
Joseph's petition to Pharaoh is both deferential and direct. The phrase "let me go up" (Hebrew: e'eleh-na) signifies the geographical ascent from Egypt (often seen as lower) to Canaan (often higher, both physically and spiritually). His immediate assurance, "and I will come again," is a crucial diplomatic gesture, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to Pharaoh and his commitment to returning to his duties as prime minister, thereby alleviating any potential concerns about his permanent departure from Egypt.
Literary Devices
Genesis 50:5 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The use of Direct Speech is prominent, as Joseph directly quotes Jacob's dying words: "Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me." This direct quotation lends immediacy, authenticity, and solemn authority to Jacob's final wish, underscoring its binding nature. There is also a subtle Emphasis through repetition of the concept of burial and the specific mention of "the land of Canaan," highlighting the central importance of this geographical location as the promised inheritance. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as Foreshadowing, subtly pointing towards the future Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their eventual return to the Promised Land, a journey that Jacob's burial procession prefigures. Finally, Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan serves as powerful Symbolism of his unwavering faith in God's covenant promises, representing a spiritual inheritance that transcends his physical death in a foreign land.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Joseph's actions in Genesis 50:5 resonate with profound theological and thematic implications. His unwavering commitment to his father's dying wish exemplifies profound filial piety, a virtue deeply rooted in biblical ethics and reflective of a life lived in integrity and faithfulness. The solemn oath Joseph made to Jacob underscores the sanctity of promises and covenants, both human and divine, highlighting the gravity with which God views such commitments. Most significantly, Jacob's insistence on burial in Canaan, despite dying in Egypt, serves as a powerful testament to his enduring faith in God's covenant promise regarding the land. It was an act of hope, affirming his belief that his descendants would one day inherit the land God had pledged to Abraham, Isaac, and himself, thus linking his personal destiny to the broader redemptive plan for Israel. This act also subtly anticipates the future Exodus, where God's people would indeed leave Egypt to inherit the Promised Land.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 50:5 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers, transcending its historical context. Joseph's unwavering commitment to fulfilling his solemn oath to Jacob powerfully illustrates the vital importance of integrity and faithfulness in upholding our commitments, whether they are made to family, friends, or God Himself. His actions serve as a compelling example of honoring one's parents, not merely out of obligation, but from a place of deep love, respect, and filial piety. This narrative challenges us to consider the weight we give to our own words and promises, recognizing that our faithfulness reflects God's own unchanging character. Furthermore, Jacob's dying insistence on being buried in the Promised Land, despite his death in a foreign land, calls us to anchor our ultimate hopes and faith not in transient earthly circumstances, but in God's eternal promises. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, trusting in God's ultimate plan for our spiritual inheritance and our future with Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was burial in Canaan so important to Jacob?
Burial in Canaan was profoundly important to Jacob because it symbolized his unwavering faith in God's covenant promises regarding the land. For Jacob, it was not merely about a physical resting place but an act of hope, affirming his belief that his descendants would one day inherit the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and himself (as seen in Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 15:18-21). It was a tangible expression of his spiritual identity, his connection to the divine inheritance, and his confidence in God's faithfulness to His word, even as he died outside the promised territory.
Did Joseph need Pharaoh's permission for everything he did?
While Joseph held immense power and authority as the prime minister of Egypt, for a significant undertaking like leading a large funeral procession out of Egypt into a foreign land, especially for a non-Egyptian patriarch, Pharaoh's explicit permission was absolutely essential. Such a journey would involve a large retinue, security, and complex logistical arrangements that only the highest authority could sanction. Joseph's request demonstrates his respect for Pharaoh's sovereignty and the established protocols of the Egyptian court, ensuring the expedition would proceed without incident and reinforcing his loyalty to the crown.
What is the significance of Jacob saying "my grave which I have digged for me"?
While the family burial plot in the cave of Machpelah was purchased by Abraham (Genesis 23:16-20), Jacob's specific phrasing "my grave which I have digged for me" (Hebrew: asher kariti li) emphasizes his personal claim and preparation for his own resting place within that ancestral tomb. It underscores his foresight, his deliberate intention to be buried there, and the deeply personal nature of his desire to be laid to rest in the Promised Land. This phrasing reinforces his active participation in securing his place within the covenant land, even in death, and highlights his unwavering faith in God's promises for his descendants.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The narrative of Jacob's burial in the Promised Land, meticulously facilitated by Joseph's faithfulness, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate hope and inheritance found in Jesus Christ. Jacob's deep desire for burial in Canaan points to the believer's profound longing for the true spiritual "Promised Land"—the eternal rest and inheritance in God's presence, fully realized through Christ's redemptive work. Joseph's unwavering commitment to his solemn oath and his father's final wish mirrors Christ's perfect obedience to the Father's will, an obedience that culminated in His sacrificial death, burial, and glorious resurrection. It is through Christ's finished work on the cross that our ultimate "return" to God and our secure place in His eternal kingdom are guaranteed (as promised in John 14:1-3). Just as Jacob's burial was a testament to a promise fulfilled, Christ's own burial and subsequent resurrection are the ultimate guarantee of God's promises of eternal life, resurrection for believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-22), and a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). In Christ, believers find their true and everlasting home, an inheritance far surpassing any earthly territory, secured by His faithfulness and love.