“And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt.”
This verse marks a significant moment in the life of Jacob (Israel) as he nears the end of his life. Let’s delve into the context and explore the meaning of this passage.
Jacob, also known as Israel, had lived a long and eventful life. In Genesis 47, we find that Jacob and his family had moved to Egypt due to the famine in Canaan. Joseph, his son whom he had believed to be dead but was later reunited with, had become a high-ranking official in Egypt and had provided for his family during the famine.
As Jacob’s life was coming to an end, he called upon Joseph:his favorite son, to make a special request. The act of placing Joseph’s hand under Jacob’s thigh was a solemn and symbolic gesture signifying a covenant or oath. It was a customary way of taking an oath or making a solemn vow in ancient times.
By asking Joseph:to place his hand under his thigh, Jacob was asking for assurance from Joseph that he would honor his wishes. It was a request for Joseph to deal kindly and faithfully with him in his death. The underlying intention was that Jacob did not want to be buried in Egypt but desired to be laid to rest in the land of Canaan, the promised land that God had given to his forefathers.
Jacob’s desire to be buried in Canaan rather than Egypt reflected his faith in God’s promises and his identification with his ancestors. It demonstrated his hope in the future fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham and Isaac, where God had promised to give the land of Canaan to their descendants.
This verse highlights the significance of familial bonds, trust, and the desire to remain connected to one’s heritage and spiritual legacy. It also underscores the importance of honoring the wishes of loved ones, especially in matters concerning their final resting place.
In the broader context of the book of Genesis, this verse sets the stage for the events that will follow, including Jacob’s blessings to his sons, his eventual passing, and the fulfillment of God’s promises through the continuation of the Israelite lineage.
