Genesis 47:31 - Exposition

And he ( i.e. Jacob) said, Swear unto me (in the manner indicated in Genesis 47:29 ). And he ( i.e. Joseph) sware unto him. And (having concluded this touching and impressive ceremonial) Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head. Though supported by many eminent authorities (Chaldee Pard. phrase, Symmachus, Vulgate, Calvin, Willet, Rosenmüller, Delitzsch, Keil, Kalisch, &c; &c.;), the present rendering is not entirely free from difficulty, since not until the next chapter is there any mention of Jacob's sickness; while in favor of the reading, " And Israel bowed himself on the top of his staff" ( LXX .), it may be urged