Hebrews 11:22

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

By faith {G4102} Joseph {G2501}, when he died {G5053}, made mention {G3421} of {G4012} the departing {G1841} of the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474}; and {G2532} gave commandment {G1781} concerning {G4012} his {G846} bones {G3747}.

By trusting, Yosef, near the end of his life, remembered about the Exodus of the people of Isra’el and gave instructions about what to do with his bones.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.

By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

Hebrews 11:22 highlights the profound faith of Joseph, a patriarch whose trust in God's promises extended far beyond his own lifetime. This verse is part of the famous "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11, which chronicles numerous Old Testament figures who exemplified unwavering belief in God.

Context

Joseph, the son of Jacob, rose to great power in Egypt, becoming second only to Pharaoh. Despite his high status and the comforts of Egypt, his ultimate allegiance remained with the promises God made to his forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7). When Joseph was on his deathbed in Egypt, he prophesied about the future departing of the children of Israel from Egypt. This event, known as the Exodus, would not occur for several centuries after his death. His specific "commandment concerning his bones" (recorded in Genesis 50:25) was a powerful demonstration of his belief that God would indeed bring His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. This instruction was honored generations later by Moses, who carried Joseph's bones during the Exodus (Exodus 13:19).

Key Themes

  • Faith in Future Promises: Joseph’s faith was not just in what God had done, but in what God would do, even if it was generations away. He believed God's covenant with Israel would be fulfilled.
  • Hope Beyond Life: His actions demonstrated a hope that transcended his own mortality. He had an eternal perspective, trusting God's long-term plan.
  • Identity and Allegiance: By refusing a permanent burial in Egypt and insisting his bones be taken to Canaan, Joseph affirmed his true identity as a member of God’s covenant people, not an Egyptian.
  • Prophetic Insight: His declaration about the Exodus was a prophecy, indicating divine revelation and his trust in that revelation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "by faith" (Greek: pistis) is the recurring motif of Hebrews 11, emphasizing that true faith is an active trust and confidence in God's character and His Word, even when the fulfillment seems distant or impossible from a human perspective. Joseph's "made mention" (Greek: mneian epoiesato) implies a solemn and deliberate declaration, a testament to his unwavering conviction.

Reflection and Application

Joseph's example challenges believers to cultivate a faith that looks beyond immediate circumstances and personal lifespans. Do we trust God's promises for the future, even those that may not be fulfilled in our time? His desire for his bones to be carried to the Promised Land serves as a powerful reminder of where our true home and ultimate allegiance lie – not in the temporary comforts or successes of this world, but in God's eternal purposes and promises. This verse encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in God's kingdom and trusting His faithfulness to complete His plans across generations, just as He did for Joseph and the children of Israel.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 13:19

    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.

  • 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.

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