Israel bowed himself, not to Joseph, who being now not upon his throne, nor amongst the Egyptians, but in his father's house, was doubtless more ready to pay that reverence (as he did Genesis 48:12) than to receive veneration from him, which he owed to his father; but to God, who is here to be understood, as he is in the same phrase, 1 Kings 1:47, whom with this gesture he worshipped and praised, as for the promise of Canaan, and the assurance which he had now received from Joseph of his being buried there, so for all his favours to him and to Joseph, and by him to all his family. Jacob at this time was bedrid, through age and infirmity; but being now to give God solemn thanks, though the words and manner of it be not here expressed, he raised himself and sat upon the head or uppermost part of his bed, as he did also Genesis 48:2, that he might express his reverence to God as much as he could by bowing, when he could not do it as much as he would, being unable to do it kneeling. Others for bed read staff the discussion whereof I refer unto its proper place, Hebrews 11:21.
Related Commentaries of Genesis 47:31
Genesis 47:31
31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.