Exodus 13:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here."

NIV: Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place."

NASB: And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, 'God will certainly take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.'

CSB: Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, "God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place."

NLT: Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this. He said, 'God will certainly come to help you. When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.”

This note looks back to something which happened after Israel first settled in Egypt. Joseph's father was Jacob (Genesis 37:3), also named Israel (Genesis 32:28). Through a series of God-ordained events (Genesis 50:20), Joseph became a powerful leader in Egypt. This allowed him to care for his family during a terrible famine. This is how the nation of Israel—Jacob's descendants—came to live in Goshen in Egypt (Genesis 47:5–6, 27). When Joseph died, he knew his family was destined for a Promised Land (Genesis 12:6–7; 15:13–21). He made his growing family promise that they would one day take his remains—his literal bones—into that land when they left Egypt (Genesis 50:24–25).

Over time, Egypt would enslave the Israelites (Exodus 1:8, 11–14). God sent Moses to lead the nation to freedom (Exodus 3:10). Moses also fulfills the promise made to Joseph: he personally carries Joseph's bones as Israel departs Egypt (Exodus 12:40–41). Eventually, those bones would be buried alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 23:19–20; 49:29–33; 50:13; Joshua 24:32).

Exodus 13:17–22 depicts Israel's initial travel out of Egypt. Moses personally carries the bones of Joseph (Genesis 50:25). God's chosen path avoids Philistine territory so the people won't be tempted to backtrack into Egypt. He leads the people using a column of clouds which also contains flames or lightning. This allows the nation to keep moving, day and night. This hasty movement is important. Egyptian soldiers will not catch up to Israel until they are at the shores of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:5–9). There, the Lord will perform another miraculous act of rescue (Exodus 14:26–30).

God reiterates the requirements of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel is to celebrate this every year as a way of remembering their liberation from Egyptian slavery. In addition, the people are to consecrate all of the first-born of any mother—both people and animals. Animals that cannot be sacrificed are to be redeemed. Sons are to be redeemed by an animal sacrifice. The Lord creates a column of clouds for the people to follow during the day, which is lit by fire so they can also follow it at night. This keeps them moving quickly. Soon, Egyptian soldiers will catch up to them and God will once again provide miraculous rescue (Exodus 14).

The Lord has just freed Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12). The final blow to Egypt was the death of all firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) on the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:12–13). God's guidelines for that night are partly repeated here along with directions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He instructs the nation about consecrating their own firstborn as He guides them. A column of fiery clouds helps the people travel day and night. This haste is important because Egypt's king is about to change his mind. He will soon send the Egyptian military to chase down the Israelites (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.