And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

GENESIS 50:25KJV
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Genesis 50:25 (KJV)

What does Genesis 50:25 mean?

Genesis 50:25 describes Joseph making the Israelites swear an oath that when God comes to help them in the future, they will take his bones with them out of Egypt. Joseph is expressing his faith that God will eventually bring the Israelites back to their promised land, and he wants to be part of that return even after his death.

In this verse, Joseph is speaking to his family, the descendants of Israel, as he nears the end of his life in Egypt. He asks them to promise (by oath) that when God fulfills His promise to visit and rescue them, they will not leave his remains behind. This shows Joseph’s confidence in God’s faithfulness and connects his story to the ongoing journey of the Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 50:25

  • "Oath" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to swear or make a solemn promise. Joseph is not just making a casual request; he is binding the Israelites to a serious commitment regarding his remains.
  • "Surely visit" (פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד, paqod yifqod): This phrase uses repetition for emphasis, often understood as “God will definitely come to your aid.” It highlights Joseph’s certainty that God will act on behalf of His people.
  • "Bones" (עֶצֶם, etsem): Joseph specifically mentions his bones, not just his body, which was a way in ancient times to refer to one’s very self or essence. This detail shows his desire to be identified with his people and their future.

Why Genesis 50:25 matters

  • Genesis 50:25 clarifies that Joseph’s faith in God’s promises extends beyond his own lifetime, showing a deep trust in God’s future actions.
  • The verse connects Joseph’s story to the larger narrative of the Israelites’ eventual exodus from Egypt, setting up a key moment that will be fulfilled in Exodus 13:19.
  • By making his family swear an oath, Joseph ensures that his memory and hope remain alive among the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of remembering God’s promises across generations.

Where else these words appear

“hence” Hebrew H2088 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
  • Exodus 13:8 And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
  • 1 Kings 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

“bones” Hebrew H6106 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • 2 Kings 13:21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
  • Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.