Genesis 47:31 kjv

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

Genesis 47:31 nkjv

Then he said, "Swear to me." And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.

Genesis 47:31 niv

"Swear to me," he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Genesis 47:31 esv

And he said, "Swear to me"; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

Genesis 47:31 nlt

"Swear that you will do it," Jacob insisted. So Joseph gave his oath, and Jacob bowed humbly at the head of his bed.

Genesis 47 verses

Genesis 47 31 Meaning

Genesis 47:31 records a pivotal moment in Jacob's final days in Egypt. Having secured an oath from his son Joseph regarding his burial in the Promised Land, Jacob responds by bowing himself. This act, when understood in its deeper context and clarified by the New Testament, is interpreted as an expression of worship and gratitude to God, acknowledging His faithfulness to the covenant promises concerning the land and his descendants. It underscores Jacob's enduring faith despite his impending death and the current dwelling of his family in Egypt.

Genesis 47 31 Context

Genesis chapter 47 describes the arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt during the severe famine. Joseph brings his father and brothers before Pharaoh, securing for them a place in the fertile land of Goshen. As the chapter progresses, Pharaoh extends his favor, providing sustenance to Israel. The narrative then shifts to Jacob's advanced age, sensing his imminent death. In his weakening state, Jacob summons Joseph, the son who had brought salvation to his family, and requests a solemn oath: that Joseph will not bury him in Egypt but carry his remains back to the land of his fathers, Canaan, to be buried in the cave of Machpelah. This request underscores Jacob's profound faith in God's covenant promise for the land, a promise passed down through Abraham and Isaac. It sets the stage for Jacob's final acts of blessing and prophecy, signifying his enduring commitment to the divine purpose despite the current circumstances of his family residing outside the promised inheritance. His bowing act is a response to the secured oath, expressing deep spiritual significance.

Genesis 47 31 Word analysis

• And he said, "Swear to me."
  • He (ויאמר - vayyomer): Refers to Jacob, underscoring his agency in this final request. Though weak, his will remains strong in matters of faith.
  • Swear (השבעה - hishab'a): This is an imperative from the Hebrew root shava', meaning "to take an oath, swear." It implies a solemn, binding promise, often invoked with divine witness. This form of agreement was common in the ancient Near East and was viewed with utmost seriousness, making a covenantal obligation. Breaking such an oath had grave consequences (e.g., Josh 9). Jacob sought this oath because a verbal promise might be insufficient given the distance and time before Joseph could fulfill it.
• So he swore to him.
  • He swore (וישבע - vayyisha'ba): Joseph willingly accepts the oath, demonstrating his respect for his father and his understanding of the spiritual significance of the request. Joseph's commitment would be fulfilled decades later (Gen 50:5).
• And Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.
  • Israel (ישראל - yisra'el): The text uses Jacob's spiritual name, "Israel," meaning "struggles with God" or "prince with God." This choice of name at this crucial moment highlights the spiritual nature of his action and identity, signifying him not merely as an old man but as the patriarch, the one through whom God's covenant would continue. This spiritual name also points towards the future nation.
  • bowed himself (וישתחו - vayyishtahu): From the root shachah, meaning "to bow down, prostrate, do obeisance, worship." This Hithpael form signifies self-prostration, indicating a deliberate act of reverence. This act, coming after Joseph's oath, signifies an act of worship. It's a key point of interpretation, clarified by Heb 11:21.
  • on the head of the bed (על ראש המטה - al rosh hammitah): This is the most discussed phrase.
    • "Bed" (מטה - mittah) vs. "Staff" (מטה - matteh): The Hebrew word mittah for "bed" and matteh for "staff" are almost identical in consonantal form in the Masoretic Text. The difference lies in vowel pointing, which was added centuries later.
    • LXX and Hebrew 11:21's Interpretation: The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) renders mittah as "staff" (rabdos). The New Testament author of Hebrews, writing under divine inspiration (Heb 11:21), explicitly follows this interpretation, stating that Jacob "worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff." This strongly indicates that Jacob was not bowing to the bed or simply adjusting himself due to old age, but rather, using his staff for support, he bowed in an act of worship toward God. This makes theological sense, as bowing to an inanimate object would be idolatrous, while bowing to God in faith is entirely consistent with Jacob's character and the patriarchs' faith.
    • Significance of the Staff: The staff, a common symbol of authority, pilgrimage, and dependence, was used by Jacob throughout his life (Gen 32:10). Leaning on it in worship would represent his dependence on God and acknowledgment of divine sustenance throughout his life, right to its end. It symbolizes his pilgrim journey.
    • Bowing towards God: The bowing is an act of adoration, expressing thanks, submission, and renewed faith in God's promises after securing Joseph's commitment, which was a practical step towards the fulfillment of the broader divine plan. Jacob recognized God's faithfulness even when His people were sojourners.

Genesis 47 31 Bonus section

The act of Jacob bowing on his staff carries rich symbolic meaning related to pilgrimage and reliance on God. A staff can be seen as representing his life's journey as a pilgrim, from leaving Canaan to fleeing Esau, enduring hardship, meeting Laban, wrestling with God, and now, finally, entering his rest. To bow in worship while leaning on this staff at the very end of his life profoundly signifies that all his journey and all his sustenance came from God. This personal worship of Jacob, performed in faith regarding a physical land, prefigures the greater spiritual inheritance for believers (Heb 11:10, 13). It also distinguishes the true faith in YHWH from contemporary Egyptian religious practices, which focused on elaborate burials and mummification without such a faith in a divinely promised land.

Genesis 47 31 Commentary

Genesis 47:31 culminates a significant personal covenant between Jacob and Joseph within the larger narrative of God's covenant with Israel. Jacob's solemn request for burial in Canaan reflects a deep spiritual conviction, a profound trust in God's faithfulness to His promises despite the immediate circumstances of the family's dwelling in Egypt. His request to be laid with Abraham and Isaac is a declaration that his ultimate hope lies not in the temporal comforts of Egypt, but in the divine, eternal land promised by God. Joseph's agreement to this oath ensures the spiritual trajectory of the family is maintained, foreshadowing the eventual exodus and return to Canaan.

Jacob's subsequent act of bowing, as illuminated by the New Testament (Heb 11:21), is not merely an old man struggling for comfort, but a powerful expression of worship. Leaning on his staff, a symbol of his journey and dependence, he bows in gratitude and faith, acknowledging God as the keeper of the covenant. This moment affirms that Jacob, even at death's door, was "looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" (Heb 11:10). His worship confirms his living faith, marking his final response to a promise secured. It's a reminder that even in physical weakness and impending death, spiritual strength and devotion can shine brightest, recognizing God's sovereignty over life, death, and all promises.