seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 47:28 Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. 29 When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.”
“I will do as you say,” he said.
31 “Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.[d]
“I will do as you say,” he said.
31 “Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.[d]
d. Genesis 47:31 Or Israel bowed down at the head of his bed
This comes from easyenglish.info.
‘If you are pleased with me.’ This is not what the father of the family would say to his son. The son should respect and obey his father. But Joseph was not only Jacob’s son. Joseph was also the ruler of the whole country where Jacob was staying. So Jacob gave honour to Joseph. And Joseph gave honour to Jacob, because he was his father.
‘Put your hand under my leg.’ This was a sign of an important promise. (See Genesis 24:2.)
‘Put your hand under my leg.’ This was a sign of an important promise. (See Genesis 24:2.)
This is from Bible.org.
Jacob, who seemed to be dying for years, lived longer than he expected. But as he approached his death, we can see that his prosperity in Egypt did not change his priorities:
This is from blueletterbible.com.
Israel knew Egypt was not his home. He belonged in the land promised to he and his descendants. He clearly believed and understood he was the inheritor of Abraham's covenant.
Finally, this is from bible-commentaries.com.
When Jacob feels his end is approaching he makes Joseph swear that he be buried in Canaan and not in Egypt. This last wish must have been a matter of faith for Jacob. He knew that Canaan was the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and to him and his children. His grandfather had purchased the cave where Sarah was buried first, the cave in the field of Machpelah.
As we have seen before, Jacob had purchased a field from Hamor at Sechem, and according to Stephen, when he gives his defense speech in Acts 7, "Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money." (Acts 7:16). Stephen combines the purchases of Abraham and Jacob and gives, so to speak a telescoping rendering of the two incidents. Adam Clarke supposes that the bodies of Jacob's sons were buried at Sechem, but that Jacob himself was placed in the tomb where Sarah, Abraham and Isaac were buried.
The staff adds a spiritual dimension to the sentence. The NIV says: "Israel worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff." As the KJV put it, Jacob just lay back down after wearing himself out. "And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head." The act of worship gives a beautiful touch to the scene. If Jacob would only be reclining on his bed, there would have been no need to even mention this.
As we have seen before, Jacob had purchased a field from Hamor at Sechem, and according to Stephen, when he gives his defense speech in Acts 7, "Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money." (Acts 7:16). Stephen combines the purchases of Abraham and Jacob and gives, so to speak a telescoping rendering of the two incidents. Adam Clarke supposes that the bodies of Jacob's sons were buried at Sechem, but that Jacob himself was placed in the tomb where Sarah, Abraham and Isaac were buried.
The staff adds a spiritual dimension to the sentence. The NIV says: "Israel worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff." As the KJV put it, Jacob just lay back down after wearing himself out. "And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head." The act of worship gives a beautiful touch to the scene. If Jacob would only be reclining on his bed, there would have been no need to even mention this.
Remember, God renamed Jacob. God told him his name was now Israel. Both are tossed out here so it's easier to understand if I remember that Jacob and Israel are the same guy.
