Exodus 13:19

Authorized King James Version

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And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּקַּ֥ח took H3947
וַיִּקַּ֥ח took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 22
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מֹשֶׁ֛ה And Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֛ה And Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 2 of 22
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַצְמֹתַ֛י my bones H6106
עַצְמֹתַ֛י my bones
Strong's: H6106
Word #: 4 of 22
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
יוֹסֵ֖ף of Joseph H3130
יוֹסֵ֖ף of Joseph
Strong's: H3130
Word #: 5 of 22
joseph, the name of seven israelites
עִמּ֑וֹ H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 6 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כִּי֩ H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִשְׁבִּ֜יעַ sworn H7650
הִשְׁבִּ֜יעַ sworn
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 8 of 22
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
הִשְׁבִּ֜יעַ sworn H7650
הִשְׁבִּ֜יעַ sworn
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 9 of 22
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֤י the children H1121
בְּנֵ֤י the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 11 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 13 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
יִפְקֹ֤ד visit H6485
יִפְקֹ֤ד visit
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 14 of 22
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
יִפְקֹ֤ד visit H6485
יִפְקֹ֤ד visit
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 15 of 22
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֱלֹהִים֙ God H430
אֱלֹהִים֙ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 16 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶתְכֶ֔ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 17 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהַֽעֲלִיתֶ֧ם away H5927
וְהַֽעֲלִיתֶ֧ם away
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 18 of 22
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַצְמֹתַ֛י my bones H6106
עַצְמֹתַ֛י my bones
Strong's: H6106
Word #: 20 of 22
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
מִזֶּ֖ה H2088
מִזֶּ֖ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 21 of 22
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
אִתְּכֶֽם׃ H854
אִתְּכֶֽם׃
Strong's: H854
Word #: 22 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

Analysis & Commentary

Moses taking Joseph's bones fulfills the oath Joseph extracted in Genesis 50:25. The phrase 'Ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you' shows Joseph's faith that God would fulfill His promise to bring Israel to Canaan. Carrying these bones throughout forty wilderness years testified to covenant faithfulness—both God's (bringing Israel out) and Joseph's (trusting God's promise despite dying in Egypt).

Historical Context

Joseph died in Egypt (Genesis 50:26) and was embalmed. His bones were transported through wilderness wanderings and eventually buried at Shechem (Joshua 24:32), fulfilling the oath after 400+ years.

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