Genesis 47:29 Meaning and Explanation
“And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As death approaches, Jacob calls Joseph and asks him to swear an oath to bury him in Canaan, not Egypt.
The Context of Genesis 47:29
Jacob, sensing death, charges Joseph with an oath to return his body to Canaan for burial.
What Does Genesis 47:29 Mean?
Jacob recognizes that death is near. He calls Joseph to his bedside and makes a solemn request sealed by oath—Joseph must place his hand under Jacob's thigh, a formal gesture of covenant commitment. Jacob asks Joseph to promise that he will not be buried in Egypt but will be returned to Canaan. The request shows Jacob's continued attachment to the promised land despite prosperity in Egypt.
Jacob's final concern is burial in the land of his fathers, reflecting his ultimate loyalty to the covenant and the land God promised to Abraham. His phrasing—'if thou hast found grace in my sight'—acknowledges Joseph's honor and appeals to his filial love. Even as Jacob is about to die, his faith remains anchored to the covenant, not to Egypt's temporary security.
Genesis 47:29 in the Original Language
The oath gesture of placing hand 'under the thigh' (יָד תַּחַת יָרֵךְ, yad tachat yarech) invokes the covenant's continuation through progeny.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 47:29
What does Genesis 47:29 mean?
As death approaches, Jacob calls Joseph and asks him to swear an oath to bury him in Canaan, not Egypt.
What is the context of Genesis 47:29?
Jacob, sensing death, charges Joseph with an oath to return his body to Canaan for burial.