Genesis 50:5 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Here is a triple obligation upon Joseph:

1. His duty to fulfil the will of the dead.

2. The obedience which he owed to his father's command.

3. The the of a solemn oath: all which had weight even with the heathens, and were so many arguments to Pharaoh and his courtiers. In my grave which I have digged for me, according to the manner of those ancient and succeeding times. See 2 Chronicles 16:14 Isaiah 22:16 Matthew 27:60. In that large cave which Abraham bought for a burying-place for his family, Jacob had digged a particular and small cell or repository for himself, as others did after him upon the like occasion. And this reason is prudently added, to show that this desire proceeded not from any contempt of Pharaoh or his land, but from that common and customary desire of persons of all ages and nations to be buried in their fathers sepulchres.

Genesis 50:5

5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.