Genesis 47:29 - Exposition

And the time drew nigh that Israel (i.e. Jacob) must die (literally, and the days of Israel to die drew near ): and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight (not as if Jacob doubted Joseph's affection, but simply as desiring a last token of his love, perhaps also as unconsciously recognizing his son's greatness), put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh ,—an ancient form of adjuration (cf. Genesis 24:2 )— and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt. On the root קָבַר , to bury (cf. Eng. cover), vide Genesis 23:4 .