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Genesis 47:29

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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:

And the time {H3117} drew nigh {H7126} that Israel {H3478} must die {H4191}: and he called {H7121} his son {H1121} Joseph {H3130}, and said {H559} unto him, If now I have found {H4672} grace {H2580} in thy sight {H5869}, put {H7760}, I pray thee, thy hand {H3027} under my thigh {H3409}, and deal {H6213} kindly {H2617} and truly {H571} with me; bury {H6912} me not, I pray thee, in Egypt {H4714}:

The time came when Isra'el was approaching death; so he called for his son Yosef and said to him, "If you truly love me, please put your hand under my thigh and pledge that, out of consideration for me, you will not bury me in Egypt.

When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,

And the time drew near that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found favor 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;

Commentary

Genesis 47:29 marks a poignant moment in the life of Jacob, also known as Israel, as he senses his approaching death. Having lived in Egypt for seventeen years under the care of his son Joseph, he calls for his most trusted son to make a solemn request regarding his final resting place. This verse highlights Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promises despite his current circumstances.

Context

At this point in the narrative, Jacob's family has been settled in the land of Goshen in Egypt for seventeen years. The famine that brought them to Egypt has long passed, and they are thriving. However, Jacob, now 147 years old, feels the end of his life drawing near. He understands that his time in Egypt is temporary and that his true inheritance and resting place are tied to the covenant promises God made to his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac, concerning the land of Canaan. His request to Joseph is not merely a personal preference but a profound act of faith, looking beyond his physical death to the fulfillment of divine prophecy.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Faithfulness: Jacob's primary concern is not to be buried in Egypt, a land of temporary refuge, but in the promised land of Canaan. This reveals his deep-seated belief in God's eternal covenant concerning the land and his descendants. He desires to be laid to rest with his ancestors, underscoring his spiritual connection to the heritage of faith.
  • The Solemnity of an Oath: The phrase "put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh" signifies an oath of the utmost seriousness and binding nature. This ancient custom, also seen when Abraham made his servant swear, likely involved the hip or reproductive area, symbolizing the perpetuation of the family line and the sacredness of the promise. It underscores the profound weight Jacob places on Joseph's promise.
  • Filial Responsibility and Loyalty: Joseph, as the most powerful figure in Egypt and Jacob's beloved son, is entrusted with this vital task. Jacob's appeal, "If now I have found grace in thy sight," is a humble yet firm plea for Joseph's loyalty and commitment to his dying wish, a testament to their unique bond.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "deal kindly and truly with me" is significant. The Hebrew words are chesed (kindness, steadfast love, loyalty, covenant faithfulness) and 'emeth (truth, faithfulness, reliability). When combined, as they often are in Scripture, they describe a deep, unwavering commitment that goes beyond mere obligation, reflecting the very character of God. Jacob is asking Joseph to act with covenant loyalty and integrity in fulfilling this solemn request, treating his father with the same faithfulness that God shows His people.

Practical Application

Jacob's final request serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of faith and the importance of our spiritual inheritance. Even in the face of death, Jacob's focus remained on God's promises, not on earthly comforts or temporary security. For believers today, this verse encourages us to:

  • Prioritize God's Promises: Like Jacob, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, trusting in God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His Word, even when our current circumstances seem to suggest otherwise.
  • Honor Family and Commitments: The solemnity of Jacob's request and Joseph's subsequent actions (as seen in Genesis 50:13) underscore the importance of honoring commitments made to loved ones, especially their dying wishes.
  • Live a Legacy of Faith: Jacob's desire to be buried with his fathers, Abraham and Isaac, speaks to the importance of our spiritual legacy. His faith, even in death, pointed towards the future and the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan, a theme later highlighted in Hebrews 11:21-22.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 31:14 (5 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Genesis 24:49 (5 votes)

    And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

  • Genesis 24:2 (5 votes)

    And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

  • 1 Kings 2:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,

  • Genesis 50:24 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Job 7:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ [Is there] not an appointed time to man upon earth? [are not] his days also like the days of an hireling?