Genesis 47:30-31
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.” And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jacob's dying request isn't just about where he'll be buried; it's a profound act of faith. By insisting on burial in the land of promise, Canaan, he's not just remembering his ancestors but publicly declaring his unwavering belief that God's promise of that land will be fulfilled for his descendants.
As Jacob's end nears, he calls for Joseph to make a sacred promise: to be carried out of Egypt and buried with his fathers in the land of Canaan. Joseph, deeply respecting his father's dying wish, pledges to fulfill it, demonstrating the profound bond between them and Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promise of the land.
Jacob, at the end of his life, makes a profound request about his burial. It's more than just a sentimental desire to be with his family; it's a declaration of faith.
More Than Just a Grave
Jacob's dying wish to be buried in Canaan, with his fathers Abraham and Isaac, wasn't merely about sentiment. It was a deeply theological statement.
Jacob's request goes beyond personal preference. It's a public declaration, even in death, about whose side he's on.
A Statement in Stone (and Soil)
Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan, and making Joseph swear to it, served several crucial purposes that acted as a public confession of faith:
Understand the original words
shaba' · Hebrew Verb
To take an oath, calling upon God as a witness to the truthfulness of a promise or the sincerity of an intention, often involving a commitment to consequences if the oath is broken. It is a solemn act that establishes a covenantal or binding obligation between parties.
Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The name given to Jacob by God, meaning 'God strives' or 'he struggles with God.' It represents the patriarch of the twelve tribes and is frequently used to denote the covenant community of God's people.
shachah · Hebrew Verb
A physical act of reverence, submission, or worship, often involving bending the body or prostrating oneself. It signifies humble acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty, authority, or a higher status of another person.
Jacob's final request to be buried with his fathers in Canaan, not Egypt, underscores his unwavering faith in God's promise of the land, even as his family is deeply settled in Egypt.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham Receives Promise of Land
God promises Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting inheritance, establishing a covenant with him.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac and Jacob Dwell as Sojourners
Isaac and later Jacob live as temporary residents ('sojourners') in Canaan, relying on God's promise rather than secure possession.
c. 1720 BC
Jacob's Family Moves to Egypt
Due to a severe famine in Canaan, Jacob and his entire household relocate to Egypt, settling in the land of Goshen.
c. 1703 BC
Jacob Settles in Goshen
Jacob and his family are granted residence in the land of Goshen by Pharaoh, through the influence of his son Joseph.
c. 1686 BC— this verse
This passage shows Abraham being buried in the cave of Machpelah, establishing the family's designated burial site in the promised land that Jacob also desired for himself.
Genesis 50:25Joseph echoes Jacob's request, asking that his bones be carried out of Egypt, demonstrating the enduring significance of burial in the promised land for the patriarchs.
Hebrews 11:21The New Testament author highlights Jacob's act of worship while leaning on his staff, interpreting it as an expression of faith and hope in God's promises, which his burial request also signifies.
Deuteronomy 12:5This later command emphasizes that God would choose a place for His name, underscoring the spiritual importance Jacob placed on being buried in Canaan, the land God had designated.
calvinGenesis 47:1-31: "Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen."
- Et dixerunt ad Pharaonem, Ut peregrinaremur in hac terra, venimus, quia non est pascuum pecudibus, quae sunt servis tuis: gravis enim fames est in terra Chenaan: nunc igitur habitent quaeso servi tui in terra Gosen.
5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy fat…
clarkeGenesis 47:30: "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."
I will lie with my fathers - As God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his posterity, Jacob considered it as a consecrated place, under the particular superintendence and blessing of God: and as Sarah, Abraham, and Isaac were interred near to Hebron, he in all probability wished to lie, not only in the same place, but in…
Jacob's dying request isn't just about where he'll be buried; it's a profound act of faith. By insisting on burial in the land of promise, Canaan, he's not just remembering his ancestors but publicly declaring his unwavering belief that God's promise of that land will be fulfilled for his descendants.
As Jacob's end nears, he calls for Joseph to make a sacred promise: to be carried out of Egypt and buried with his fathers in the land of Canaan. Joseph, deeply respecting his father's dying wish, pledges to fulfill it, demonstrating the profound bond between them and Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promise of the land.
As Jacob's end nears, he calls for Joseph to make a sacred promise: to be carried out of Egypt and buried with his fathers in the land of Canaan. Joseph, deeply respecting his father's dying wish, pledges to fulfill it, demonstrating the profound bond between them and Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promise of the land.
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Jacob's Death Approaches in Egypt
Jacob, now 147 years old, is nearing the end of his life while residing in Egypt. He calls his beloved son Joseph to his side.
"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.” And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed." — Jacob's dying request isn't just about where he'll be buried; it's a profound act of faith. By insisting on burial in the land of promise, Canaan, he's not just remembering his ancestors but publicly…
