Genesis 50:6

KJV

And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Pharaoh {H6547} said {H559}, Go up {H5927}, and bury {H6912} thy father {H1}, according as he made thee swear {H7650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh responded, "Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear."

Berean Standard Bible

Pharaoh replied, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.”

American Standard Version

And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Pharaoh's immediate and unequivocal permission in Genesis 50:6 allows Joseph to journey to Canaan to bury his father, Jacob, in fulfillment of a solemn oath. This concise decree underscores the immense respect Joseph commanded in Egypt, the profound significance of oaths in the ancient world, and God's sovereign hand guiding events to ensure Jacob's burial in the land of promise, even through the actions of a gentile ruler.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the direct response to Joseph's heartfelt plea to Pharaoh, detailed in [Genesis 50:4-5](/genesis/50-4-5 "Joseph's Plea to Pharaoh and Jacob's Oath"). Joseph, having mourned for his father, humbly requests leave to fulfill the sacred oath he made to Jacob, promising to bury him not in Egypt but in the ancestral tomb in Canaan. Pharaoh's brief but authoritative statement here immediately grants this significant request, setting the stage for the elaborate funeral procession that follows in the subsequent verses, ultimately leading to Jacob's burial in the cave of Machpelah, as recorded in [Genesis 50:13](/genesis/50-13 "Jacob's Burial in Canaan"). This interaction highlights the culmination of Joseph's relationship with Pharaoh and the final act of filial devotion to his father.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was the supreme ruler, considered a divine or semi-divine figure whose word was law. Access to Pharaoh was highly restricted, and any request, especially one involving the departure of a high-ranking official like Joseph, required direct royal assent. Oaths, particularly those made to a dying parent, held immense cultural and religious weight across the ancient Near East. They were considered binding covenants, often invoked with divine witnesses, and their breach could carry severe consequences, both social and spiritual. The elaborate funeral customs of Egypt, involving embalming and grand processions, also provide a backdrop, though Jacob's burial in Canaan was a departure from typical Egyptian practice, emphasizing his identity as a patriarch of the covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 50:6 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates events, even through the decisions of non-believers, to fulfill His purposes and promises, particularly concerning the land of Canaan, as seen in the covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The verse also highlights the theme of **Filial Piety and Family Loyalty**, as Joseph diligently honors his father's final wish, echoing the importance of family bonds throughout the patriarchal narratives. Furthermore, it underscores the **Sanctity of Oaths and Covenants**, a recurring motif in Genesis, emphasizing the importance of keeping one's word before God and man, as exemplified by Joseph's commitment to the vow he made to Jacob in [Genesis 47:29-31](/genesis/47-29-31 "Jacob's Request and Joseph's Oath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root, H559, denotes a broad range of speech acts, from simple utterance to commanding, appointing, or declaring. In this context, Pharaoh's "said" is not merely a statement but a definitive pronouncement, an authoritative decree that grants permission. It carries the weight of royal command, indicating the finality and power behind his words.
* **Go up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** H5927, meaning "to ascend" or "to go up," is used here in a literal sense, referring to the journey from Egypt (a lower elevation, particularly the Nile Valley) to the higher land of Canaan. However, it also subtly implies the elevation of Joseph's status and the significance of the undertaking, as he is given leave to depart the most powerful nation of the time for a sacred duty.
* **swear (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** This primitive root, H7650, means "to seven oneself," implying a solemn declaration made as if by repeating it seven times, underscoring its completeness and binding nature. It signifies the taking of an oath, a sacred vow often invoked with divine witness. Pharaoh's acknowledgment of this oath highlights its universal understanding as an unbreakable commitment in ancient cultures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaoh said,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the speaker as the supreme authority in Egypt, whose word carries ultimate weight. The swiftness of his response, following Joseph's request, indicates either his deep respect for Joseph, his understanding of the gravity of the oath, or both.
* **"Go up,"**: This is a direct command, granting Joseph the necessary royal permission to leave Egypt. The verb "go up" (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_) accurately describes the geographical ascent from the Nile Delta to the elevated terrain of Canaan, but also conveys the Pharaoh's full authorization for the significant journey.
* **"and bury thy father,"**: This clause specifies the purpose of Joseph's journey, directly addressing his filial duty. Pharaoh's explicit mention of "thy father" acknowledges the personal and familial nature of the request, demonstrating a degree of empathy or recognition of Joseph's deep bond with Jacob.
* **"according as he made thee swear."**: This crucial phrase highlights the binding nature of the oath Joseph had taken. Pharaoh's recognition of Jacob's solemn adjuration underscores the universal respect for such vows in ancient Near Eastern culture. It validates Joseph's reason for the request, making it not merely a personal desire but a sacred obligation that even the mighty Pharaoh respects.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Conciseness** and **Direct Address** to convey Pharaoh's authoritative yet understanding response. Pharaoh's command is brief and to the point, reflecting his absolute power and the efficiency of his court. The **Direct Address** to Joseph ("Go up, and bury thy father") personalizes the decree, emphasizing the unique relationship and trust that existed between the two men. Furthermore, there is **Implicit Trust** and **Respect** embedded in Pharaoh's immediate permission; he does not question Joseph's motives or the necessity of the journey, indicating the high regard in which Joseph was held. This simple declaration also functions as a **Narrative Catalyst**, setting in motion the elaborate funeral procession that would transport Jacob's body to Canaan, fulfilling Jacob's final wish and subtly demonstrating God's overarching orchestration of events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 50:6, though brief, is rich with theological and thematic implications. It powerfully illustrates the sanctity of oaths and the profound importance of keeping one's word, a principle deeply embedded in biblical ethics and reflective of God's own faithfulness to His covenants. Joseph's unwavering commitment to his father's dying wish also serves as a poignant example of filial piety and the enduring value of family bonds, emphasizing the biblical mandate to honor parents. Moreover, the verse subtly points to God's overarching providence, demonstrating how He can work through secular authorities and cultural norms to bring about His divine purposes, ensuring Jacob's burial in the Promised Land, a significant step in the unfolding of His covenant with Abraham's descendants.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Keeping a Vow to the Lord")
* [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "The Command to Honor Parents")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 50:6 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers concerning integrity, obedience, and the honoring of commitments. Joseph's steadfast determination to fulfill his solemn oath to Jacob, even when it required navigating the highest echelons of power and undertaking a significant journey, serves as a powerful paradigm for living a life of unwavering commitment to promises made, whether to God or to others. This narrative underscores the enduring value of family relationships and the sacred responsibility to care for and respect our elders, even in their passing, echoing the fifth commandment. Furthermore, the interaction between Joseph and Pharaoh provides a model for respectful engagement with those in authority, demonstrating that humble and well-reasoned requests can yield positive outcomes, and that leaders, even those outside the faith, can be moved to act with grace and understanding towards the personal and religious obligations of others. Ultimately, this verse reminds us that our character, built on integrity and faithfulness, can open doors and enable the fulfillment of significant purposes, both personal and divinely ordained.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's commitment to his oath challenge my own faithfulness in keeping promises, both small and large?**
* **In what ways can I better demonstrate filial piety and honor my parents or elders, even beyond their lifetime?**
* **How does Pharaoh's respect for Joseph's oath inform my understanding of integrity and its impact on relationships with those in authority?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for Jacob to be buried in Canaan, and for Joseph to swear an oath?**

Answer: Jacob's fervent desire to be buried in Canaan, specifically in the cave of Machpelah, was a profound act of faith in God's covenant promises. This land was the very inheritance promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants (e.g., [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")). Being buried there signified his belief in the future fulfillment of God's promises to his people, including their return to the land and the resurrection. The oath was crucial because, in ancient Near Eastern culture, it was a binding, sacred commitment, often invoked with divine witness. It ensured Joseph's absolute dedication to fulfilling this significant, faith-driven request, underscoring its gravity and importance to Jacob.

**What does Pharaoh's quick permission reveal about Joseph's standing in Egypt?**

Answer: Pharaoh's immediate and unequivocal permission in [Genesis 50:6](/genesis/50-6 "Pharaoh's Permission for Jacob's Burial") reveals the extraordinary respect, trust, and influence Joseph had cultivated within the Egyptian court. Despite being a foreigner and a former slave, Joseph's wisdom, integrity, and administrative success as vizier had clearly earned him a unique and indispensable position (see [Genesis 41:39-40](/genesis/41-39-40 "Joseph's Elevation by Pharaoh")). His word carried such weight that the most powerful ruler of the time did not hesitate to grant a request that would take a key official, and a large retinue, out of the country for an extended period, demonstrating the immense personal and political capital Joseph possessed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 50:6 focuses on filial piety and the sanctity of an oath, it subtly foreshadows Christ in its themes of obedience, the fulfillment of promises, and the significance of burial. Joseph's unwavering obedience to his father's dying wish, even requiring a significant journey and royal permission, serves as a beautiful type of Christ's ultimate and perfect obedience to His Heavenly Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Just as Joseph faithfully carried out a solemn oath, Christ perfectly fulfilled all the promises and prophecies concerning the Messiah, bringing to completion God's redemptive plan for humanity (e.g., [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Christ Fulfills the Law and Prophets")). Furthermore, Jacob's burial in the Promised Land, a place of future inheritance and rest, can be seen as a shadow of Christ's own burial and subsequent glorious resurrection, which secures for all believers their ultimate inheritance and eternal rest in the true Promised Land—the new heavens and new earth—through His triumph over sin and death ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "A Living Hope Through Resurrection") and [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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 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.