Understanding Genesis 50:5

Verse: "My father made me swear, saying, 'Behold, I die; in my grave which I have dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me.' Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again."

Summary of the Verse

This verse narrates Joseph's request to Pharaoh to return to Canaan to bury his father, Jacob. It highlights the emphasis Joseph places on honoring his father's last wishes, showing both filial piety and the cultural importance of burial in one's homeland.

Commentary Insights

• Matthew Henry:

  Henry emphasizes the respect Joseph shows for his father’s instructions. Joseph’s actions reflect both loyalty and the cultural norms of burying the deceased in their ancestral land. This act not only signifies honor but also reinforces the significance of family ties in biblical narratives.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes points out that Joseph’s return to Canaan also serves as a critical connection between the generations of patriarchs. It reinforces God's promise to Abraham about the land of Canaan, linking the past patriarchs' roles to Joseph’s leadership and future promises.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke discusses the significance of the grave Jacob has prepared, which symbolizes both a physical and metaphorical link to the land promised by God. He notes this as an important fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thus linking Joseph’s actions to the grand narrative of Israel’s history.

Bible Cross-References

• Genesis 23:19 - Abraham buys a burial site in Canaan, emphasizing the importance of the land for his descendants.
• Genesis 37:35 - Jacob's mourning for Joseph, showing the depth of familial love that persists through loss.
• Hebrews 11:21 - Faith of Jacob in Joseph's provision of a burial, linking to the idea of faith in God's promises regarding land.
• Genesis 49:30-31 - Jacob's specific instructions about being buried in Canaan, reflecting the importance of honoring familial legacy.
• Deuteronomy 34:6 - The burial of Moses signifies divine authority and respect for burial practices in the land.
• Genesis 15:13-14 - God’s covenant with Abraham regarding oppression and eventual return to the promised land, connecting heritage with hope.
• 1 Kings 2:3-4 - David’s instructions to Solomon about honoring familial obligations and the importance of the land promise.

Thematic Connections

The request made by Joseph is not isolated; it serves as a rich study in themes such as:

• Familial Loyalty: Honoring parents and maintaining family traditions, as seen also in Exodus 20:12.
• Hope and Promise: Joseph's journey back to Canaan signifies not only closure for Jacob but continuity of God's promises (Genesis 12:7).
• Death and Afterlife: The significance of burial sites in ancestral lands reflects beliefs about identity and rest after death (Matthew 27:60).
• Covenant Fulfillment: Joseph’s act is a part of the larger narrative of covenants made by God with the patriarchs (Genesis 17:8).

Conclusion

This brief exposition of Genesis 50:5, along with related commentaries, reveals deep insights into the text's meaning. It connects Joseph's actions to broader themes of loyalty, heritage, hope, and the continuation of God's promises to His people. Such themes encourage readers to appreciate the scripture’s multifaceted teachings and the importance of understanding Scriptural cross-referencing to fully grasp the rich narratives that interlock throughout the Bible.