Exodus 13 19

Exodus 13:19 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.

Exodus 13:19 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."

Exodus 13:19 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."

Exodus 13:19 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."

Exodus 13:19 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."

Exodus 13 verses

Exodus 13 19 Meaning

Exodus 13:19 describes Moses faithfully carrying out a solemn oath made centuries earlier by Joseph. As the Israelites departed Egypt, Moses ensured Joseph's dying wish to have his remains taken from Egypt and carried to the Promised Land was honored. This act served as a tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness and a symbol of the long-awaited fulfillment of His promise to bring Israel into their inheritance. It underscored the nation's spiritual connection to their ancestors and their destiny beyond Egyptian bondage.

Exodus 13 19 Context

Exodus chapter 13 immediately follows the dramatic Tenth Plague (death of the firstborn) and the institution of the Passover. The Israelites have just been commanded by Pharaoh to leave Egypt, and they embark on their long-anticipated journey to the Promised Land. The chapter emphasizes two primary themes: the consecration of the firstborn as a perpetual memorial of their deliverance, and God's leadership through the pillar of cloud and fire. In this immediate context, Moses' action of taking Joseph's bones serves as a vital historical and spiritual bridge, connecting the present miraculous deliverance directly to the ancient promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and particularly Joseph. It roots the contemporary exodus in the covenant history of God's people, transforming their departure from an escape into the faithful progression towards an inheritance promised centuries prior.

Exodus 13 19 Word analysis

• Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh): The divinely appointed leader of the Exodus. His action here highlights his obedience and fidelity to ancestral promises and divine command. He acts as the intermediary between past covenants and their present fulfillment.
• took (וַיִּקַּח, vayiqqach): A decisive and intentional act. It signifies responsibility and determination in carrying out the command. It wasn't an afterthought but a central part of their departure.
• bones (עַצְמוֹת, atzmot): More than mere physical remains, "bones" in ancient Israelite culture often represented the whole person, their essence, and their lasting presence. It symbolized the living hope and continuity of the family line and the covenant promise. The very act of carrying bones underscored the physical and tangible nature of their identity and inheritance.
• Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yosef): The son of Jacob, who had a prominent role in preserving his family in Egypt. His dying request demonstrates remarkable faith, looking beyond his life to God's future promise for his people to inherit the land of Canaan (Heb 11:22). He desired to participate in the promised land, even if posthumously.
• solemnly sworn (הַשְׁבִּיעַ, hashbi'a): To cause to swear, to put under oath. This highlights the absolute binding nature of Joseph's command. It wasn't a casual request but a solemn covenant oath that transcended generations, ensuring it would be remembered and fulfilled. This emphasized the deep commitment required.
• people of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, B'nei Yisrael): Joseph made the oath not just to his immediate family but to the descendants who would carry on the covenant, establishing a generational obligation. It was a national vow, representing collective remembrance and responsibility.
• God will surely visit you (פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶתְכֶם, paqod yipqod Elohim etchem): The Hebrew uses an emphatic infinitive absolute before the finite verb, a strong grammatical construction to signify absolute certainty and surety. It translates to "visiting, God will visit you" or "God will certainly attend to you." This "visiting" (פקד, paqad) refers specifically to divine intervention for salvation and deliverance, demonstrating God's remembrance of His covenant.
• carry up (וְהַעֲלִיתֶם, veha'alitem): Implies an ascent, bringing from a lower place (Egypt, the land of bondage) to a higher place (Canaan, the promised land of freedom and blessing). It signifies not merely transport, but an elevation out of degradation.
• my bones from here (אֶת־עַצְמֹתַי מִזֶּה, et-atzmotai mizzeh): "From here" refers to Egypt, where Joseph died and was embalmed, but where he did not wish to remain permanently. This reflects a desire to be part of the future fulfillment of God's promise.
• with you (אִתְּכֶם, itt'chem): Signifies that Joseph, even in death, wished to be symbolically united with his people in their redemptive journey. It emphasized solidarity between generations and continuity of the covenant.

Exodus 13 19 Bonus section

• A Polemic against Egyptian Practices: While Egyptians valued embalming and elaborate tombs to ensure an eternal presence in their homeland, Joseph explicitly rejected this for burial in the promised land, asserting God's land over Egyptian immortality rites. His act was a deliberate statement that his eternal rest was not tied to Egyptian soil or gods but to the land promised by the God of Israel.
• Generational Covenant Keeper: The carrying of Joseph's bones served as a tangible link between the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph) and the generation of the Exodus. It was a visual and practical reminder of God's enduring covenant with the descendants. This maintained a living history and a clear identity for the Israelites, constantly pointing them forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the Promised Land.
• Symbol of Divine Presence and Hope: In the wilderness, while God's presence was visibly manifest in the pillar of cloud and fire, Joseph's bones were a static, earthly symbol carried by the people. This dual witness of divine guidance and ancestral hope bolstered their faith during their arduous journey. The bones provided a persistent, physical reminder that their wandering had a definite, promised destination.

Exodus 13 19 Commentary

Exodus 13:19 is a profound testimony to divine faithfulness and human obedience across generations. Moses' act of carrying Joseph's bones fulfills a centuries-old vow, a pledge made in faith that God would indeed deliver His people. This highlights not just Joseph's prophetic insight and unshakeable conviction in God's promise to Israel, even when prosperous in Egypt, but also God's meticulous care in fulfilling every detail of His covenant.

The "bones" are more than just remains; they represent Joseph's enduring faith and physical continuity with the Promised Land. His insistence on burial in Canaan (rather than an honored tomb in Egypt) symbolized that Israel's true inheritance was not in the world's greatest empire, but in God's appointed land. This serves as a reminder that God's plans span generations, often culminating long after initial promises are made, demanding steadfast faith from His people in the intervening years. It reinforces that divine promises are reliable and will come to pass. The story provides a strong example of faithful perseverance:

• Joseph's faith in future deliverance (even from death).
• Moses' faithful leadership in carrying out ancestral command.
• God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient covenant.