Genesis 47:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us listen to what he conveyed: "And the time came, it is said, for Israel to die, and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If I have found favour in thine eyes, put thine hand under my thigh, and swear that thou wilt show me kindness and faithfulness, and wilt not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their tomb." Joseph responded, "I will do as you have said." Israel then insisted, "Swear to me." And he swore to him. Finally, Israel bowed down at the head of his bed.

Many narrow-minded individuals, when we encourage them to show some care regarding burial practices, and not to treat the transfer of the deceased from a foreign land to their homeland as something unworthy of attention, often cite this narrative as evidence that the patriarch also held such concerns. Yet, as I have previously noted, it is crucial to recognize that the kind of caution needed then is not the same as what is expected today. Additionally, the righteous man did not seek this for no reason; rather, he aimed to instill in his sons the hopeful expectation that they would eventually, though not immediately, return to the promised land. This intention is further emphasized by his son, who declared: "God will surely come to your aid, and take my bones out of here" (Genesis 50:25).

"Thou wilt not bury me in Egypt." This wish carries significant implications, as various interpreters propose: It reflects the natural affection of children for their parents and veneration for burial places; it serves as a declaration to his family that his heart and hopes are set not on Egypt but on the Promised Land; it signifies a testament to his firm belief in an inevitable return, and stands as a symbol of faith in God for future generations. Additionally, it expresses the comforting thought of resting in the Holy Land, where the true worship of God thrives and where the foundations of resurrection through Christ will unfold. However, the first theory fails to capture Jacob’s deeper motivation, as the desire to unite his remains with those of his forefathers holds true only if the land of their burial is securely inhabited by his descendants. Furthermore, for the patriarchs to lie with their ancestors, they would have to transport their remains back to Chaldea. The final theory assumes a level of foresight from Jacob that seems excessive. In light of the Apostle’s insight into the feelings of the patriarch (Hebrews 11:21), the second interpretation can be deemed certain.