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Genesis 49:29

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And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that [is] in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

And he charged {H6680} them, and said {H559} unto them, I am to be gathered {H622} unto my people {H5971}: bury {H6912} me with my fathers {H1} in the cave {H4631} that is in the field {H7704} of Ephron {H6085} the Hittite {H2850},

Then he charged them as follows: "I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my ancestors in the cave that is in the field of 'Efron the Hitti,

Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.

And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

Commentary

Context of Genesis 49:29

Genesis 49:29 is part of Jacob's final prophetic blessings and instructions to his twelve sons before his death in Egypt. Having lived for 147 years, and after a long and eventful life that included a famine bringing his family to Egypt, Jacob is now on his deathbed. This verse, along with the subsequent ones, details his specific desire concerning his burial place, underscoring his deep connection to his family's heritage and the promises of God.

Key Themes in Genesis 49:29

  • Ancestral Burial and Family Continuity: Jacob's primary instruction is to be buried with his forefathers. This highlights the profound importance of family lineage, honoring ancestors, and maintaining continuity within the covenant community in ancient Israelite culture. His desire to lie beside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah emphasizes the enduring bond of family even in death.
  • Faith in God's Covenant Promise: Despite dying in Egypt, Jacob insists on burial in the land of Canaan. This act speaks volumes about his unwavering faith in God's covenant promise regarding the land to Abraham, Isaac, and himself. It was a powerful testament to future generations that the land of Canaan was their rightful, God-given inheritance, even if they were currently sojourning in a foreign land.
  • "Gathered Unto My People": This phrase is a biblical idiom for death, signifying a peaceful passing and joining the assembly of one's deceased ancestors. It implies a belief in an existence beyond physical death, a spiritual gathering with those who have gone before. It’s distinct from the physical act of burial, referring to the soul's transition.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "gathered unto my people" translates the Hebrew אָסַף אֶל־עַמָּיו (asaph el-amav). This idiomatic expression is commonly used in the Old Testament to describe the death of patriarchs and other figures (e.g., Numbers 27:13). It suggests a peaceful, natural death and implies a spiritual continuity or reunion with ancestors in the afterlife, rather than simply being buried in the same ground.

Historical and Theological Significance

Jacob's command was not arbitrary; it was a deeply significant act. He had previously made a similar request to Joseph in Genesis 47:30. His insistence on being buried in the Cave of Machpelah, a site in Hebron, Canaan, solidifies its importance as the ancestral burial ground for the family of promise. This act served as a tangible link between the living descendants and the covenant promises made to their forefathers. Joseph would later faithfully carry out this instruction, as recorded in Genesis 50:13.

Practical Application

Genesis 49:29 offers several timeless insights:

  • The Enduring Power of Faith: Jacob's final act demonstrates profound faith in God's promises, even when their full realization was generations away. We are encouraged to trust in God's word, even when circumstances seem to contradict it.
  • Valuing Heritage and Legacy: The emphasis on ancestral burial highlights the importance of understanding and honoring our heritage, both familial and spiritual. What legacy are we building and passing on to future generations?
  • Biblical Perspective on Death: The concept of being "gathered unto my people" provides a comforting biblical view of death not as an absolute end, but as a transition and a reunion. It speaks to a hope beyond the grave.
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

  • Genesis 50:13 (5 votes)

    For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

  • Genesis 47:30 (5 votes)

    But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.

  • Genesis 15:15 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

  • Romans 12:6 (2 votes)

    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

  • Romans 12:21 (2 votes)

    Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

  • 2 Samuel 19:37 (2 votes)

    Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, [and be buried] by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.

  • Genesis 35:29 (2 votes)

    And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, [being] old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.