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Genesis 47:31

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

And he said {H559}, Swear {H7650} unto me. And he sware {H7650} unto him. And Israel {H3478} bowed {H7812} himself upon the bed's {H4296} head {H7218}.

He said, "Swear it to me," and he swore to him. Then Isra'el bowed down at the head of his bed.

“Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

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

Commentary

Genesis 47:31 records a profound moment of faith and filial devotion as Jacob (also called Israel) makes a final request of his son, Joseph, concerning his burial place. This verse encapsulates Jacob's unwavering trust in God's promises even on his deathbed.

Context

This verse concludes a critical exchange between Jacob and Joseph in Egypt. Jacob, sensing his impending death, had summoned Joseph and made him swear an oath not to bury him in Egypt, but to carry his body back to the land of Canaan, to be laid with his fathers, Abraham and Isaac, in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 47:29-30). Joseph readily agreed to this solemn promise. Jacob's earnest desire underscores his deep faith in God's covenant promise of the land to his descendants, even though they were currently sojourning in Egypt.

Key Themes

  • Faith in God's Promises: Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan reflects his profound faith in God's covenant promise of the land to Abraham, Isaac, and himself. It signified his belief that his descendants would indeed inherit that land, and his bones should rest there as a testament to that future hope.
  • Filial Loyalty and Oath-Keeping: Joseph's readiness to swear the oath demonstrates his deep respect and loyalty to his aging father. The binding nature of an oath in ancient Near Eastern culture made this a serious commitment.
  • Worship and Reverence: Jacob's act of "bowing himself upon the bed's head" is an act of profound reverence. It signifies his gratitude, worship, or perhaps a final act of devotion, acknowledging God's faithfulness and Joseph's promise.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "bowed himself" is shachah (שָׁחָה), which commonly means to bow down in worship or reverence. While it can simply mean to show respect, in this context, given Jacob's advanced age and the solemnity of the moment, it carries a strong connotation of worship or adoration towards God, perhaps in thanksgiving for Joseph's promise and for God's faithfulness throughout his life. The phrase "upon the bed's head" suggests he gathered his strength to turn towards the head of his bed, leaning on his staff, as later referenced in Hebrews 11:21, which highlights this moment as an act of faith.

Significance and Application

Genesis 47:31 serves as a powerful testament to Jacob's enduring faith. Even in death, he looked beyond his immediate circumstances in Egypt to the greater promise of God concerning the land of Canaan. This act reminds believers today of the importance of maintaining faith in God's promises, even when they seem distant or when life's end approaches. It also underscores the sacredness of family bonds and the honoring of solemn commitments. Jacob's final act of bowing is a beautiful picture of a life lived in reverence and gratitude towards God, trusting in His ultimate plan.

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

  • 1 Kings 1:47 (5 votes)

    And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

  • Hebrews 11:21 (4 votes)

    By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.

  • Genesis 24:3 (4 votes)

    And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

  • Genesis 48:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that [one] told Joseph, Behold, thy father [is] sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

  • Genesis 48:2 (2 votes)

    And [one] told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

  • Genesis 47:29 (2 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 24:26 (2 votes)

    And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.