Comentarios bíblicos

They had possessions, i.e. lands, not for the dominion or propriety of them, for that rested in Pharaoh, but for the use and profit of them for their present subsistence.

1689 No text from Poole on this verse.

Put thy hand under my thigh, i.e. swear to me, as Genesis 47:31, that thou wilt do what I am now desiring of thee; see Poole on "Genesis 24:2". He requires this, not out of any distrust of Joseph’s promise, but partly, as a more solemn protestation of his right to and affection for that promised land; partly, us a motive to all his children to have their minds and hearts there, even when their bodies were in Egypt; and partly, to give Joseph an argument and excuse to Pharaoh, that he might more willingly permit Joseph to fulfil his father’s desire, because of his own oath.

And deal kindly and truly, or, that thou wilt deal; as the Hebrew vau joined with the future tense is elsewhere used, as Psalm 24:7 35:24 51:15. Kindly in promising, and truly in performing thy promise.

I will lie with my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, in Canaan. See Genesis 23:19 25:9 35:29. Which he desired not so much for himself, as knowing that wherever he was buried he should rise to glory; as for his children, to show his own, and confirm their faith in God’s promise of Canaan; to discover his high valuation of that land, not only for itself, but as it was a type and pledge of the heavenly inheritance; to keep his children’s minds and hearts loose from Egypt, a place of so much sin and danger, and fixed upon Canaan, that they might be more willing to go thither when God called them, by virtue of that inclination which is in most persons to be buried with their fathers; and in the mean time to declare his detestation of idolaters, with whom he would have no communion either in life, as far as he could avoid it, or in the place of burial; and on the contrary, to profess his communion with his godly ancestors, by his desire to be joined with them in burial. And for the same reasons Joseph desired the translation of his bones thither, Genesis 50:25.

Israel bowed himself, not to Joseph, who being now not upon his throne, nor amongst the Egyptians, but in his father’s house, was doubtless more ready to pay that reverence (as he did Genesis 48:12) than to receive veneration from him, which he owed to his father; but to God, who is here to be understood, as he is in the same phrase, 1 Kings 1:47, whom with this gesture he worshipped and praised, as for the promise of Canaan, and the assurance which he had now received from Joseph of his being buried there, so for all his favours to him and to Joseph, and by him to all his family.

Jacob at this time was bedrid, through age and infirmity; but being now to give God solemn thanks, though the words and manner of it be not here expressed, he raised himself and sat upon the head or uppermost part of his bed, as he did also Genesis 48:2, that he might express his reverence to God as much as he could by bowing, when he could not do it as much as he would, being unable to do it kneeling. Others for bed read staff the discussion whereof I refer unto its proper place, Hebrews 11:21.

Jacob being sick, Joseph comes and visits him, Genesis 48:1,2. Jacob declares God’s appearances and promises to him, Genesis 48:3,4; adopts Joseph’s two sons Manasseh and Ephraim to be fathers of two tribes in Israel, Genesis 48:5,6; mentions Rachel’s death, and the place where he buried her, Genesis 48:7; calls for his sons to bless them: Joseph brings and places them: Jacob purposely crosses his hands, Genesis 48:8-14. His blessing on Joseph and his sons, Genesis 48:15,16. Joseph interposes to remove his father’s hands, Genesis 48:17,18. He declares the pre-eminence of the younger, but the other also blessed, Genesis 48:19,20. Prophesieth of their return to Canaan, Genesis 48:21. He gives Joseph a piece of land apart, Genesis 48:22.

1689 To obtain his venerable and religious father’s blessing for them.

He got new strength, his spirits being quickened and refreshed by the tidings of Joseph’s approach, and he put forth all the strength which he had.

No text from Poole on this verse.