Genesis 47:30 (KJV)

What does Genesis 47:30 mean?

Genesis 47:30 shows Jacob asking his son Joseph to promise that, after Jacob dies in Egypt, Joseph will carry his body back to Canaan and bury him in the family tomb. Joseph agrees to do what his father asks, showing respect for Jacob’s wishes and their family heritage.

In this verse, Jacob is speaking to Joseph near the end of his life. Jacob knows he will die in Egypt, but he wants to be buried with his ancestors in their burial place in Canaan. This request is about honoring family tradition and the promises God made to their family about the land.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 47:30

• "Lie" (שָׁכַב, shakav): This word is often used in the Hebrew Bible to mean "to lie down" in death, suggesting rest or joining one’s ancestors. Jacob’s use of this word emphasizes his expectation of being gathered to his family in death.
• "Carry" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): This word means to lift up or carry away. Jacob is asking Joseph not just to bury him, but to physically transport his body out of Egypt to their ancestral land, showing the importance of place and belonging.
• "Buryingplace" (קֶבֶר, qeber): This word refers to a specific family tomb or burial site. Jacob’s mention of it highlights the significance of being laid to rest with his forefathers, not just anywhere, but in the family’s chosen place.

Why Genesis 47:30 matters

• This verse clears up that Jacob did not want to be buried in Egypt, even though he lived there at the end of his life; he wanted his final resting place to be with his ancestors in Canaan.
• The verse highlights the deep connection the patriarchs felt to the land God promised them, showing that even in death, the land of Canaan remained central to their identity and faith.
• It sets up the later events in Genesis, where Joseph and his brothers fulfill Jacob’s request, showing the importance of honoring family commitments and traditions in the biblical story.