Hebrews Chapter 11 · Verse 22
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Original Language Analysis
Πίστει
By faith
G4102
Πίστει
By faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
1 of 16
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τελευτῶν
when he died
G5053
τελευτῶν
when he died
Strong's:
G5053
Word #:
3 of 16
to finish life (by implication, of g0979), i.e., expire (demise)
περὶ
concerning
G4012
περὶ
concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῶν
of the children
G5207
υἱῶν
of the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
8 of 16
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Ἰσραὴλ
of Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
of Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
9 of 16
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
ἐμνημόνευσεν
made mention
G3421
ἐμνημόνευσεν
made mention
Strong's:
G3421
Word #:
10 of 16
to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περὶ
concerning
G4012
περὶ
concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Exodus 13:19And 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.Joshua 24:32And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.Acts 7:16And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
Historical Context
Joseph died approximately 1805 BC and was embalmed according to Egyptian custom (Genesis 50:26), his body preserved for the eventual exodus. He lived 110 years, the last 80+ years in Egypt, witnessing his family settle in Goshen and multiply. Yet despite assimilation into Egyptian culture and his own tremendous success, Joseph maintained faith in God's promise that Israel's future lay in Canaan, not Egypt. His bones remained in Egypt over 360 years before the Exodus, a constant reminder of God's promised deliverance. Moses personally ensured Joseph's bones were carried out (Exodus 13:19).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'bones'—lasting testimony of faith—will you leave behind for future generations?
- How does Joseph's example challenge you to maintain faith in God's promises even when comfortable circumstances tempt you to settle where you are?
- In what ways should faith in God's future promises shape your present decisions and legacy?
Analysis & Commentary
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. Joseph's deathbed instructions (Genesis 50:24-25) demonstrated faith in God's promises despite contrary circumstances. Though second-in-command of Egypt, honored and prosperous, Joseph believed God would bring Israel out of Egypt to Canaan as promised. He commanded that his bones be carried to the Promised Land, refusing permanent burial in Egypt despite his exalted position there. This testified that his true home was not where he achieved success but where God promised inheritance.
The phrase 'made mention of the departing' (exodus, ἔξοδος in LXX—source of the book's name) shows Joseph prophetically foresaw Israel's deliverance from Egypt, centuries before it occurred. He possessed no political or military means to accomplish this; he simply believed God's word to Abraham. His faith looked beyond immediate reality to divine promises, shaping how he wanted to be remembered after death. Faith doesn't terminate at death but extends into eternity, concerned with God's purposes beyond our lifetimes.
Joseph's bones, carried through the wilderness for forty years and finally buried in Shechem (Joshua 24:32), testified across generations that God fulfills His promises. Every time Israel saw Joseph's coffin, they were reminded of his faith and God's faithfulness. Similarly, believers today should live and die in ways that testify to future generations of God's trustworthy promises, leaving behind not merely material inheritance but spiritual legacy pointing to God's covenant faithfulness.