Genesis 47:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place." He answered, "I will do as you have said."

NIV: but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." "I will do as you say," he said.

NASB: but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.' And he said, 'I will do as you have said.'

CSB: When I rest with my fathers, carry me away from Egypt and bury me in their burial place." Joseph answered, "I will do what you have asked."

NLT: When I die, please take my body out of Egypt and bury me with my ancestors.' So Joseph promised, 'I will do as you ask.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.”

Jacob is preparing for his own death, and has called Joseph to his side. He is asking Joseph to swear an oath promising not to allow him to be buried in Egypt (Genesis 47:29). Instead, he is asking Joseph to "deal kindly and truly" with him by taking his body back to Canaan to be buried with his fathers in their burying place. This included demanding that Joseph solemnly vow to fulfill the promise.

The family tomb was originally purchased by Abraham after Sarah died (Genesis 23:17–20). It was known as the cave of Machpelah, and it was located east of Mamre. Abraham was buried there (Genesis 25:9), as was Isaac (Genesis 35:27–29). Now Jacob wanted Joseph to bury him there, as well. Joseph agrees to do as his father says (Genesis 50:12–14).

Genesis 47:27–31 follows an explanation of how a famine brought all Egypt into servanthood under the Pharaoh. That included a standing twenty percent tax. The Israelites, meanwhile, grow and prosper. In the future, this will lead to jealousy and oppression by leaders with no memory of Joseph and his contributions (Exodus 1:8–13). After years of safety in his son's care, Jacob nears death and asks for his body to one day be buried with his ancestors in Canaan.

Genesis 47 begins with Pharaoh interviewing Joseph's brothers and father before granting their request to settle in the region of Goshen in Egypt. Just as Joseph had hoped, his family is secure. The rest of the people of Egypt and Canaan are not. Most run out of money and can no longer buy food from Joseph. On Pharaoh's behalf, Joseph trades food for their livestock and then their land and even their freedom. Nearly all people will be required to pay to Pharaoh 20 percent of their harvest each year from this time forward. After several years, Jacob asks Joseph to swear that he will bury Jacob's body with his fathers in Canaan.

After describing the family's journey from Canaan and their arrival in Egypt in chapter 46, this passage opens on a formal conversation between Pharaoh and Joseph's family. He officially grants their request to settle in Egypt. As the famine continues, citizens of Egypt and Canaan turn over their money, land, and livestock to Joseph in exchange for food. The final three chapters of Genesis explain Jacob's dying blessings, and the passing of both Jacob and Joseph.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 11/22/2024 8:51:00 AM