Genesis 50:5 kjv

My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.

Genesis 50:5 nkjv

'My father made me swear, saying, "Behold, I am dying; in my grave which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me." Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come back.' "

Genesis 50:5 niv

'My father made me swear an oath and said, "I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan." Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.'?"

Genesis 50:5 esv

'My father made me swear, saying, "I am about to die: in my tomb that I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there shall you bury me." Now therefore, let me please go up and bury my father. Then I will return.'"

Genesis 50:5 nlt

Tell him that my father made me swear an oath. He said to me, 'Listen, I am about to die. Take my body back to the land of Canaan, and bury me in the tomb I prepared for myself.' So please allow me to go and bury my father. After his burial, I will return without delay."

Genesis 50 verses

Genesis 50 5 Meaning

This verse presents Joseph's plea to Pharaoh, relaying his dying father Jacob's solemn oath concerning his burial. Jacob had explicitly made Joseph promise to inter him in the tomb he had prepared for himself in the land of Canaan. Joseph, honoring this sacred vow and his father's final wish, requests permission to leave Egypt temporarily to fulfill this filial duty before returning to his responsibilities. It highlights the profound respect for patriarchal lineage, the binding nature of an oath, and the unwavering faith of Jacob in God's covenant promise of the land, even in death.

Genesis 50 5 Context

Genesis 50 begins with the intense mourning period for Jacob in Egypt. Joseph falls on his father's face, weeps over him, and orders the physicians to embalm him, a process that takes forty days, followed by a seventy-day period of mourning as per Egyptian custom. This significant mourning period for a revered figure like Jacob indicates the high esteem Joseph held and the influence he wielded in Egypt. Joseph then seeks Pharaoh's permission, speaking through intermediaries due to the strict etiquette of the royal court, to carry out his father's final instruction. The specific mention of "my tomb which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan" underscores Jacob's enduring faith in God's covenant promise of the land, even as he died in a foreign land. This act is not just filial piety but also a powerful symbolic claim to the Promised Land for future generations, serving as a beacon of hope for Israel's eventual return.

Genesis 50 5 Word analysis

• My father (אָבִי - 'avi): Emphasizes the deep personal relationship and filial duty. This is Jacob, who recently blessed his sons and committed them to this very burial site (Gen 49:29-32).
• made me swear (הִשְׁבִּיעַ - hishbi'a): From the root "sheva'" meaning "seven." Oaths in biblical contexts were serious and binding, often involving the invocation of a divine witness, making their breaking a grave offense. The causative form implies Jacob intensely obligated Joseph, likely on God's name or with a solemn gesture (Gen 47:31).
• saying (לֵאמֹר - le'mor): A common introductory particle for direct speech in Hebrew, emphasizing that the following words are Jacob's precise instruction.
• Behold, I am about to die (הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מֵת - hinneh 'anokhi met): Jacob's awareness of his imminent death, a recurring theme for patriarchs before imparting final blessings or instructions (Gen 48:21).
• in my tomb (בְּקִבְרִי - b'qivri): "My grave." This personalizes the request, highlighting Jacob's desire for a specific, prepared resting place.
• which I dug for myself (כָּרִיתִי לִי - kariti li): "Dug for myself." This is significant. While Jacob did not physically dig the cave of Machpelah, he laid claim to it as his personal burial plot. This phrase emphasizes his ownership and intention for this specific site, signifying a spiritual, anticipatory act of faith in inheriting the Promised Land, where the patriarchs rested (Abraham purchased it in Gen 23). It underscores his personal connection to the covenant land.
• in the land of Canaan (בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן - b'erets Kena'an): Explicitly names the land promised by God to Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:7; 15:18). Jacob’s insistence on being buried here reinforces the patriarchal belief in God’s covenantal promise of this land, despite their temporary residence in Egypt.
• there you shall bury me (שָׁמָּה תִּקְבְּרֵנִי - shammah tiqbereni): The adverb "there" (shammah) emphatically points to Canaan and specifically the Machpelah cave. "You shall bury me" is a direct command.
• Now therefore (וְעַתָּה - ve'attah): A transitional phrase, linking the solemn oath and Jacob's command to the immediate request Joseph is making of Pharaoh.
• please let me go up (אֶעֱלֶה־נָּא - e'eleh-na'): "Let me ascend now/please." The word "ascend" implies leaving the lower land of Egypt to the geographically higher land of Canaan. It also carries spiritual significance, an ascent to the land of promise. "Please" (na') denotes a respectful request to an authority figure.
• and bury my father (וְאֶקְבְּרָה אֶת־אָבִי - ve'eqberah 'et-'avi): States the specific purpose of the journey, confirming filial devotion and the fulfillment of the oath.
• and then I will return (וְאָשׁוּבָה - ve'ashuvah): Joseph's solemn promise to return to his duties in Egypt. This reassures Pharaoh of Joseph’s loyalty and indispensable position, highlighting his trustworthiness and the temporary nature of his absence.

• "My father made me swear": This phrase emphasizes the unbreakable bond of a sworn oath, especially in the context of dying wishes, which carried immense weight in ancient cultures. It sets up Joseph's duty as non-negotiable from a moral and spiritual perspective.
• "in my tomb which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan": This powerful statement reveals Jacob's profound faith. Though physically weak, he prophetically "dug" his spiritual stake in the Promised Land. This isn't just a burial site; it's an enduring testament to the belief that his descendants would inherit this land, even though they currently resided in Egypt. It serves as an anchor to God's covenant promises, a symbolic "down payment" on the future inheritance.
• "Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and then I will return": This is Joseph's polite and diplomatic appeal to Pharaoh. It reflects both his deep personal commitment to his father and his professional loyalty to the Egyptian crown. His promise to "return" is crucial, ensuring Pharaoh that Joseph, a vital administrator, is not abandoning his post.

Genesis 50 5 Bonus section

The concept of Jacob 'digging' his own tomb, despite Machpelah being a purchased cave (Gen 23), speaks to a spiritual appropriation. It is not about physical labor but about establishing a claim and belonging through intention and covenant connection. This detail resonates with Abraham's earlier purchase, highlighting a continuous family connection to the Promised Land. The act of returning the deceased to their designated family burial plot was a deeply significant act in ancient Near Eastern culture, believed to ensure peace for the dead and honor for the living. Furthermore, Pharaoh's prompt permission in Gen 50:6 ("Go up and bury your father") is a testament to the high regard Pharaoh had for Joseph and, by extension, for the integrity of such oaths and the importance of burial rites for all, regardless of nationality. This brief interaction emphasizes Joseph's elevated status and the trust placed in him, allowing the spiritual conviction of one man (Jacob) to profoundly impact a king's decision.

Genesis 50 5 Commentary

Genesis 50:5 encapsulates the deep spiritual legacy and strong familial bonds that defined the patriarchs. Joseph’s relaying of Jacob’s sworn instruction to Pharaoh is more than a dutiful son fulfilling a promise; it’s an act saturated with covenantal significance. Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan, specifically in the ancestral tomb he considered "his own," profoundly demonstrates his enduring faith in God’s promise of the land (Gen 12:7; 15:18). Even in death, he symbolically reclaims his inheritance in the Promised Land, foreshadowing the eventual Exodus. This resolute desire underscores that the patriarchs' identity was not defined by their temporary sojourns in foreign lands, but by their God-given destiny tied to Canaan. Joseph’s subsequent plea to Pharaoh showcases his unwavering respect for both his father's final wishes and the political authority of Egypt's ruler. His solemn promise to return after the burial reflects his character—one of faithfulness and responsibility—which aligns with the biblical teaching on the importance of keeping one’s word (Num 30:2; Psa 15:4). This episode also subtly contrasts the patriarchal faith (burial in the land of promise) with the Egyptian custom of elaborate tombs, pointing to a spiritual hope beyond material wealth.Practical usage examples:

• Honoring Parents: Joseph’s meticulous fulfillment of his father’s last wish serves as a profound example of filial piety (Exod 20:12; Eph 6:2-3).
• Keeping Promises: Joseph honors a solemn oath, demonstrating the importance of integrity and trustworthiness in word and deed.
• Faith in God’s Promises: Jacob’s desire to be buried in Canaan highlights persistent faith in God's covenant promises, even when the fulfillment seems distant.