Genesis 50:5
My father made me sweare, saying, Loe, I die: in my graue which I haue digged for me, in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therfore let me goe vp, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come againe. Genesis 50:5 (KJV)
This verse belongs to the narrative of Genesis that records the events after Jacob’s death. Jacob’s passing marks the conclusion of his life and the beginning of a new phase for the Israelite family. Genesis 50 closes the story of Jacob and his sons, focusing on Joseph’s actions once his father has died. After years of separation, Joseph was reunited with his family in Egypt, and the chapter records the arrangements for Jacob’s burial.
When Jacob died, his sons approached Joseph. They spoke of God’s future care for Israel, declaring, “The LORD shall surely visit you, and bring back again the captivity of the children of Israel” (Gen 50:6‑7). Their concern was expressed not as fear of retaliation but as hope that God would protect the family. In response, Joseph reminds the children of Israel that he will fulfill his father’s command to be buried in Canaan, thereby demonstrating loyalty to his father’s wishes even while living far from home.
The passage highlights three key themes. First, obedience and honour are evident as Joseph recounts the oath Jacob made, committing him to bury his father in the promised land. This underscores the importance of keeping one’s commitments, especially to parental directives. Second, respect for the dead is shown through the emphasis on burial in a specific location, reflecting the ancient belief that the land of one’s ancestors is linked to God’s covenant promises. By burying Jacob in Canaan, Joseph acknowledges the ancestral heritage and the covenantal blessings associated with that land. Third, the promise of return is expressed when Joseph states his intention to go up, bury his father, and then return to Egypt. This forward‑looking promise is fulfilled in the subsequent verses when Joseph resumes his position in Egypt, illustrating God’s plan to preserve the Israelites and bring them to prominence.
Overall, Genesis 50:5 underscores obedience to parental directives, reverence for burial customs, and the continuity of God’s covenant with the patriarchs as the family prepares to move forward in Egypt. The verse reminds believers of the significance of honoring one’s parents, the deep connection between the promised land and God’s promises, and the hope that God’s providential care will guide the people through transitions and return.
