Genesis 50:13 (KJV)

What does Genesis 50:13 mean?

Genesis 50:13 describes how Joseph and his brothers carried their father Jacob’s body back to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of Machpelah, a burial place that Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite near Mamre. This verse shows the family honoring Jacob’s wishes to be buried with his ancestors in the land promised to them.

In this scene, Joseph and his brothers are fulfilling Jacob’s final request after his death in Egypt. The verse carefully notes the specific location and history of the burial site, connecting Jacob’s burial to Abraham’s earlier purchase of the cave and field as a family tomb. This act ties Jacob’s death to the larger story of God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 50:13

• The word “sons” (בֵּן, ben) refers specifically to Jacob’s male children, emphasizing that it was his direct descendants who took responsibility for his burial, fulfilling a family duty.
• The term “carried” (נָשָׂא, nasa) means to lift or bear, highlighting the physical act of transporting Jacob’s body from Egypt to Canaan, which was a significant journey.
• “Cave” (מְעָרָה, me‘arah) and “field” (שָׂדֶה, sadeh) are both mentioned, underlining the exact spot Abraham bought as a burial place, showing the importance of family heritage and legal ownership.
• “Possession” (אֲחֻזָּה, achuzzah) means a permanent holding or inheritance, stressing that this burial place was not just borrowed land but a lasting family property.

Why Genesis 50:13 matters

• Genesis 50:13 clarifies that Jacob was buried in the same place as Abraham and Isaac, reinforcing the theme of family continuity and the fulfillment of ancestral promises.
• The verse emphasizes the legal and historical claim the family had to the land, which is important for understanding later references to Canaan as the land promised to Israel.
• By naming Ephron the Hittite and the location near Mamre, the verse roots the story in real places and people, showing the Bible’s concern for historical detail and memory.