Genesis 50:5 (KJV)

What does Genesis 50:5 mean?

Genesis 50:5 records Joseph explaining to Pharaoh that his father, Jacob, made him swear to bury him in a grave Jacob had prepared in Canaan, and Joseph is now asking permission to go and fulfill that promise. Joseph assures Pharaoh that he will return after burying his father.

Joseph is speaking to Pharaoh’s court after Jacob’s death in Egypt. The verse shows Joseph’s respect for his father’s wishes and his sense of duty to keep his oath. It also highlights the importance of burial traditions and family promises in the story of Joseph and his brothers.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 50:5

• "Swear" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to make a solemn promise or oath, showing that Joseph’s commitment to his father was formal and binding, not just a casual agreement.
• "Grave" (קֶבֶר, qever): This word refers to a burial place or tomb. Jacob had specifically prepared a place for himself in Canaan, emphasizing his connection to the promised land.
• "Digged" (כָּרָה, karah): This word means to dig or prepare, indicating that Jacob had taken active steps to arrange his own burial site, not leaving this responsibility to others.
• "Bury" (קָבַר, qavar): This verb is used twice in the verse, stressing the act of burial as a central concern for both Jacob and Joseph.

Why Genesis 50:5 matters

• This verse clarifies that Joseph’s request to leave Egypt is based on a binding oath to his father, not just personal desire, which would have been important for Pharaoh to understand.
• The verse connects the story of Joseph in Egypt back to the land of Canaan, tying the family’s identity and hopes to the land God promised to their ancestors.
• It highlights the seriousness with which oaths and burial customs were treated in ancient Israelite culture, showing respect for both family and faith traditions.