Exodus 13:19
New International Version
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”

New Living Translation
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this. He said, “God will certainly come to help you. When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place.”

English Standard Version
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”

Berean Standard Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.”

New American Standard Bible
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will certainly take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.”

NASB 1995
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.”

NASB 1977
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God shall surely take care of you; and you shall carry my bones from here with you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall bring up my bones from here with you.”

Amplified Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had solemnly ordered (placed under an oath) the Israelites, saying, “God will assuredly take care of you, and you must carry my bones away from here with you.”

Christian Standard Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, “God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, “God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Moses had them take the bones of Joseph, whose dying words had been, "God will come to your rescue, and when he does, be sure to take my bones with you."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly swear to do this. Joseph had said, "God will definitely come to help you. When he does, take my bones with you."

Good News Translation
Moses took the body of Joseph with him, as Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly promise to do. Joseph had said, "When God rescues you, you must carry my body with you from this place."

International Standard Version
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelis take this solemn oath: "God will certainly take notice of you, and then you must carry my bones up with you from here."

Majority Standard Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, ?God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.?

NET Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly swear, "God will surely attend to you, and you will carry my bones up from this place with you."

New Heart English Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you."

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

World English Bible
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses takes the bones of Joseph with him, for he certainly caused the sons of Israel to swear, saying, “God certainly inspects you, and you have brought up my bones from this [place] with you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses taketh the bones of Joseph with him, for he certainly caused the sons of Israel to swear, saying, 'God doth certainly inspect you, and ye have brought up my bones from this with you.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will take the bones of Joseph with him: for swearing he caused the sons of Israel to swear, saying, For reviewing, God will review you; and carry up my bones with you from here.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses took Joseph's bones with him: because he had adjured the children of Israel, saying: God shall visit you, carry out my bones from hence with you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Also, Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because he had sworn to the sons of Israel, saying: “God will visit you. Carry my bones away from here with you.”

New American Bible
Moses also took Joseph’s bones with him, for Joseph had made the Israelites take a solemn oath, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you must bring my bones up with you from here.”

New Revised Standard Version
And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, “God will surely take notice of you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had solemnly made the children of Israel to swear, saying, God will surely remember you; and you must carry up my bones from here with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe took the bones of Yoseph with him because he made the house of Israel swear, and said, “God remembers to remember you. Bring up my bones from here with you.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying: 'God will surely remember you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had solemnly adjured the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones hence with you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pillars of Cloud and Fire
18So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle. 19Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.” 20They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.…

Cross References
Genesis 50:24-25
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” / And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

Joshua 24:32
And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.

Acts 7:15-16
So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. / Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.

Hebrews 11:22
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.

Genesis 15:13-14
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.

Genesis 46:4
I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

Genesis 47:29-30
When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, / but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.”

Genesis 48:21
Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.

Genesis 49:29-30
Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. / The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.

Genesis 50:5-6
my father made me swear an oath when he said, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father, and then return.” / Pharaoh replied, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.”

Genesis 50:13
They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.

Numbers 11:12
Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers?

Numbers 20:15
how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers,

Numbers 33:1-2
These are the journeys of the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt by their divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. / At the LORD’s command, Moses recorded the stages of their journey. These are the stages listed by their starting points:

Deuteronomy 1:31
and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

for he had

Genesis 50:24,25
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob…

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.

Acts 7:16
And 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.

God

Exodus 4:31
And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Genesis 48:21
And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

Luke 1:58
And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Jump to Previous
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Aid Bones Care Carry Children Hence Inspect Israel Joseph Mind Moses Oath Remember Solemnly Straitly Strictly Surely Swear Sworn Visit
Exodus 13
1. The firstborn are sanctified to God
3. The memorial of the Passover is commanded
11. The firstborn of man and beast are set apart
17. The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.
20. They come to Etham
21. God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire














Moses took the bones of Joseph with him
This phrase highlights Moses' role as a leader who honors the past promises and covenants made by the patriarchs. Joseph's bones symbolize the continuity of God's promises to the Israelites. Joseph, who had risen to power in Egypt, had faith that God would fulfill His promise to bring the Israelites back to the Promised Land. This act of taking Joseph's bones is a fulfillment of that faith and a reminder of God's faithfulness. It also signifies the importance of burial practices and honoring one's ancestors in ancient Near Eastern culture.

because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath
Joseph's request for an oath underscores the seriousness and binding nature of promises in ancient times. Oaths were considered sacred and unbreakable, often invoking God's name as a witness. This reflects the cultural and religious importance of oaths in maintaining trust and accountability within the community. The sons of Israel, representing the tribes, were bound by this oath, showing the collective responsibility to fulfill Joseph's last wishes.

when he said, “God will surely attend to you
Joseph's statement is a prophetic assurance of God's providence and care for His people. It reflects Joseph's unwavering faith in God's promises, despite the Israelites' current situation in Egypt. This phrase connects to God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising them the land of Canaan. It also foreshadows the Exodus, where God indeed attends to the Israelites by delivering them from slavery.

and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”
This command emphasizes the importance of the Promised Land as the true home for the Israelites. Joseph's desire to have his bones carried to Canaan signifies his belief in God's promise and his identification with the future of Israel. It also serves as a type of Christ, as Joseph's life and actions prefigure aspects of Jesus' life, such as faithfulness, leadership, and the hope of resurrection. The act of carrying his bones is a tangible reminder of the hope and future that God has promised to His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who led them out of Egypt. He is responsible for fulfilling Joseph's request to carry his bones to the Promised Land.

2. Joseph
A patriarch of Israel who had risen to power in Egypt. Before his death, he made the Israelites swear to take his bones with them when God delivered them from Egypt.

3. The Israelites
The descendants of Jacob (Israel) who were enslaved in Egypt and are now being led to freedom.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved and from which they are now departing.

5. The Promised Land
The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, which the Israelites are journeying towards.
Teaching Points
Faith in God's Promises
Joseph's request to have his bones carried to the Promised Land reflects his unwavering faith in God's promises. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness, even when fulfillment seems distant.

The Importance of Legacy
Joseph's actions remind us of the impact of leaving a legacy of faith. Our actions and words can inspire future generations to hold onto God's promises.

Obedience to Oaths and Commitments
The Israelites' fulfillment of Joseph's request underscores the importance of keeping promises and commitments, especially those made before God.

God's Providence and Timing
The transport of Joseph's bones is a testament to God's providence and perfect timing. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God orchestrates events according to His divine plan.

Community and Shared Faith
The collective effort to carry Joseph's bones highlights the strength found in community and shared faith. Believers are encouraged to support one another in their spiritual journeys.(19) Moses took the bones of Joseph.--Joseph's body had been embalmed according to the Egyptian fashion (Genesis 1:26). He had ordered it to be conveyed to Canaan when the Israelites went there (Genesis 1:25).

Verse 19. - Moses took the bones of Joseph - i.e., his body, which had been embalmed, and deposited in a mummy case (Genesis 50:26), most probably at Tanis, which was the capital of the Shepherd kings, no less than of Menephthah. He had straitly sworn the children of Israel. See Genesis 50:25. Joseph, firmly believing in the promise of God to give Canaan to the descendants of Abraham had made them swear to take his body with them when they left Egypt. The desire to be laid in their native earth was common to most of the nations of antiquity, and, in the case of the Israelites, was intensified by Canaan being the "laud of promise." Jacob had had the same feeling as Joseph, and had been buried by Joseph in the cave of Math-pelah (Genesis 50:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Moses
מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

took
וַיִּקַּ֥ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the bones
עַצְמ֥וֹת (‘aṣ·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

of Joseph
יוֹסֵ֖ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

with him
עִמּ֑וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

because
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

{Joseph had made} the sons
בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

swear a solemn oath
הַשְׁבֵּ֨עַ (haš·bê·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

when he said,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will surely attend to you,
פָּקֹ֨ד (pā·qōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

and you shall carry
וְהַעֲלִיתֶ֧ם (wə·ha·‘ă·lî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

my bones
עַצְמֹתַ֛י (‘aṣ·mō·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

with you
אִתְּכֶֽם׃ (’it·tə·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

from this place.”
מִזֶּ֖ה (miz·zeh)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that


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OT Law: Exodus 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 13:18
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