Joshua 24:32
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַצְמ֣וֹת
And the bones
H6106
עַצְמ֣וֹת
And the bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
2 of 26
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶֽעֱל֨וּ
brought up
H5927
הֶֽעֱל֨וּ
brought up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
5 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
לִבְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל׀
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל׀
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּחֶלְקַ֣ת
in a parcel
H2513
בְּחֶלְקַ֣ת
in a parcel
Strong's:
H2513
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
קָנָ֧ה
bought
H7069
קָנָ֧ה
bought
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
14 of 26
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
מֵאֵ֛ת
H853
מֵאֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִבְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
17 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲבִֽי
the father
H1
אֲבִֽי
the father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
19 of 26
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּמֵאָ֣ה
for an hundred
H3967
בְּמֵאָ֣ה
for an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
21 of 26
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
קְשִׂיטָ֑ה
pieces of silver
H7192
קְשִׂיטָ֑ה
pieces of silver
Strong's:
H7192
Word #:
22 of 26
an ingot (as definitely estimated and stamped for a coin)
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
23 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִבְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
24 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
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.Genesis 33:19And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.Genesis 50:25And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.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.Hebrews 11:22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.John 4:5Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.Genesis 48:22Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
Historical Context
Joseph's bones traveled from Egypt through 40 wilderness years to Shechem. Jacob's land purchase (Genesis 33:18-20) provided legal ownership, preventing future disputes. Shechem became significant in Joseph's tribal inheritance (Ephraim and Manasseh). Jesus later spoke with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well near this site (John 4:5-6).
Questions for Reflection
- What promises has God kept across multiple generations in your family or spiritual lineage?
- How does Joseph's 400-year journey from death to burial illustrate faith's long-term vision?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And 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—Full circle! Joseph requested burial in Canaan (Genesis 50:25), making Israel swear to carry his bones from Egypt (Exodus 13:19). They faithfully kept their oath for 400+ years.
Joseph's burial fulfills patriarchal promises. The land Jacob bought (Genesis 33:19) becomes Joseph's final rest—family property uniting generations. This demonstrates covenant faithfulness across centuries. God remembers promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We likewise inherit promises extending back to Eden's first gospel (Genesis 3:15).