By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
HEBREWS 11:22KJVWhat does Hebrews 11:22 mean?
Hebrews 11:22 says that Joseph, as he was dying, spoke about the future departure of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about what to do with his bones. This verse highlights Joseph’s faith that God would keep His promise to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, even though Joseph himself would not live to see it.
The writer of Hebrews is reminding readers of Joseph’s trust in God’s promises at the end of his life. Joseph’s instructions about his bones show that he believed God would one day lead his people to the land He had promised, so much so that he wanted his remains to be taken there. This verse is part of a larger section listing people from Israel’s history who acted by faith in God’s word.
The Greek behind Hebrews 11:22
- πίστις (pistis, “faith”): This word is central to the whole chapter and means trust or confidence in God’s promises, not just belief in facts. Joseph’s actions are presented as a result of this deep trust.
- ἔξοδος (exodos, “departing”): This word refers to the Israelites’ future exit from Egypt, the event known as the Exodus. Joseph’s mention of it shows he believed in this future event long before it happened.
- ἐνετείλατο (eneteilato, “gave commandment”): This word means to give a specific instruction or order. Joseph’s command about his bones was a deliberate act of faith, not just a casual request.
- ὀστέα (ostea, “bones”): Mentioning Joseph’s bones emphasizes the physical reality of his faith—he wanted his actual remains to be part of God’s promise being fulfilled.
Why Hebrews 11:22 matters
- Hebrews 11:22 clears up the idea that faith is only about present circumstances; Joseph’s faith looked far into the future, trusting God’s word beyond his own lifetime.
- The verse highlights that even small, practical instructions (like what to do with his bones) can be acts of faith when they are rooted in trust in God’s promises.
- This verse connects Joseph’s story to the larger theme of Hebrews 11, showing that faith often means acting on God’s promises even when the fulfillment is not immediate or visible.