Genesis 50:12 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 50:12 kjv
And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:
Genesis 50:12 nkjv
So his sons did for him just as he had commanded them.
Genesis 50:12 niv
So Jacob's sons did as he had commanded them:
Genesis 50:12 esv
Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them,
Genesis 50:12 nlt
So Jacob's sons did as he had commanded them.
Genesis 50 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 47:29-31 | ...Jacob called his son Joseph...‘bury me not in Egypt.’...Joseph swore to him. | Jacob's initial command to Joseph. |
| Gen 49:29-32 | ‘Bury me with my fathers in the cave...which is in the land of Canaan...’ | Jacob's final command to all his sons regarding burial site. |
| Gen 50:4-7 | Joseph said...‘My father made me swear...I will go up and bury my father...’ | Joseph seeking permission from Pharaoh to fulfill the promise. |
| Gen 50:13 | For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan and buried him... | The fulfillment of the command described immediately after. |
| Gen 50:24-25 | ...Joseph said...God will visit you...you shall carry up my bones from here. | Joseph’s similar command regarding his own burial. |
| Exod 20:12 | Honor your father and your mother... | Commandment on honoring parents. |
| Deut 5:16 | Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you... | Repetition of the command to honor parents. |
| Prov 6:20 | My son, keep your father's command, and forsake not your mother's teaching. | Wisdom on parental obedience. |
| Eph 6:1 | Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. | New Testament teaching on filial obedience. |
| Col 3:20 | Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. | Christian virtue of obeying parents. |
| Num 23:19 | God is not a man, that he should lie...Has he said, and will he not do it? | Divine faithfulness, a principle reflected in human obedience to commands. |
| Isa 55:11 | So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty... | God's word accomplishes its purpose, echoing command fulfillment. |
| Matt 5:18 | ...not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. | Fulfillment of divine commands/prophecies. |
| Heb 11:21 | By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship... | Jacob's faith in death, tied to his instructions. |
| Heb 11:13 | These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them... | The patriarchs' faith in the promise despite not fully receiving it. |
| Gen 15:18 | On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land..." | Foundation of the land promise that Jacob's burial embodies. |
| Gen 23 | Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah for burial. | The land becomes a burial place, a partial possession of the promise. |
| Acts 7:15-16 | Jacob went down into Egypt...and was carried back to Shechem... | Stephen's sermon references Jacob's burial in the Promised Land. |
| Ps 133:1 | Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! | Reflects the reconciliation and unity among the brothers in this act. |
| Job 42:10 | And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job...when he prayed for his friends. | Reconciliation and restoration of relationships. |
Genesis 50 verses
Genesis 50 12 meaning
Genesis 50:12 declares that Jacob's sons—specifically his twelve sons, including Joseph and his brothers—faithfully carried out their father's specific commands concerning his burial. This verse highlights the profound filial obedience and commitment to fulfilling a sacred, final promise made by their patriarch, emphasizing that his dying wish to be interred in the land of Canaan was precisely honored.
Genesis 50 12 Context
Genesis 50:12 follows the detailed account of Jacob's death and Joseph's period of mourning in Egypt. Prior to his death, Jacob had extracted a solemn promise from Joseph to bury him not in Egypt, but in the family burial ground in Canaan, the Cave of Machpelah, alongside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (Gen 47:29-31; 49:29-32). Joseph then secures Pharaoh's permission for this journey (Gen 50:4-6), setting the stage for the funeral procession described in the earlier verses of the chapter. Verse 12 is crucial in confirming that the instructions were precisely carried out by all Jacob's sons. This act of transporting Jacob's body to Canaan and burying him there reinforces the enduring significance of the Abrahamic covenant and the divine promise of the land, even as the nation of Israel lived as sojourners in Egypt. It underscores their continued faith and attachment to their ancestral inheritance.
Genesis 50 12 Word analysis
- For: (וְ-, Ve-) This conjunction connects the action of the sons in verse 12 to the preceding descriptions of Jacob's death and the arrangements for his burial, serving as a causal or consequential link.
- his sons: (בניו, b'nayu) This refers to Jacob's twelve sons, the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel, not just Joseph's immediate offspring. The phrase signifies a collective act of filial duty and solidarity. This unity is a powerful sign of reconciliation among brothers who had previously been estranged, particularly with Joseph. The act demonstrates their adherence to the family structure and patriarchal authority.
- did: (ויעשו, vayya'asu) The verb 'asah' (עשׂה) means to make, do, perform, or accomplish. Here, it denotes active compliance and the performance of an instruction. It signifies that the task was not merely contemplated but effectively executed.
- unto him: (לו, lo) This prepositional phrase means "to him" or "for him," indicating that the action was performed specifically for Jacob's benefit or concerning his wishes. The "him" refers directly back to Jacob.
- according as: (כאשר, ka'asher) This phrase means "as," "just as," or "in the manner that." It emphasizes the exactness and precision with which the command was fulfilled. It implies careful adherence to Jacob's specific instructions, underscoring their commitment to honoring his last will without deviation.
- he commanded: (צוה, tzavah) The verb 'tzavah' (צוה) means to command, instruct, or order. It implies a formal and authoritative directive. Jacob's command carried significant weight, particularly as a dying request, highlighting the obligation and reverence with which his sons regarded his words. It points to the specific instructions given in Gen 47:29-31 and 49:29-32.
- them: (להם, lahem) This refers to Jacob's sons, the recipients of the command. It confirms that the instructions were given directly to them and that they were the ones responsible for their execution.
- his sons did unto him: This phrase underscores the active and collective role of all Jacob's sons in fulfilling their filial duty. It is a testament to the family's healing and renewed unity after decades of discord, especially the past animosity towards Joseph. Their collective action showcases reverence and respect for their departed father.
- according as he commanded them: This emphasizes the faithfulness and precision of their obedience. It highlights that Jacob's dying instructions were not casual requests but solemn commands that were meticulously followed. This points to the binding nature of his last will and testament and their commitment to uphold it.
Genesis 50 12 Bonus section
This verse is a crucial link in the chain of patriarchal faith, connecting the promise of the land of Canaan not just to Abraham and Isaac, but reinforcing its significance through Jacob's death and burial there. Jacob’s fervent desire to be buried in Canaan, rather than the flourishing land of Egypt, was a tangible expression of his faith in God’s ultimate design for his descendants to inherit the land. The sons' obedience serves as a demonstration of their emerging spiritual maturity and their collective alignment with God's covenantal purposes, laying a foundation for the future nation of Israel's return to the land. This act of fulfilling a parent's command also anticipates Joseph's later directive to carry his bones out of Egypt, perpetuating the theme of hopeful expectation regarding the Promised Land.
Genesis 50 12 Commentary
Genesis 50:12 is a concise yet pivotal verse that succinctly affirms the fulfillment of Jacob's final wish. It signifies not merely a customary burial but a profound act of faith and obedience by his sons. Their precise adherence to Jacob's command to be buried in Canaan demonstrates their respect for him and, more importantly, their enduring faith in God's covenantal promise of the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This obedience, following a long period of familial strife, underscores a restored sense of unity and shared purpose among the brothers, showcasing a profound transformation in their character. The act of burial in the Promised Land served as a tangible expression of their collective hope and anticipation for the future fulfillment of God's pledge to Israel, a theme later echoed in Joseph's own command concerning his bones.