Shemot 13:19

19 And Moshe took the atzmot Yosef with him; for Yosef had made the Bnei Yisroel swear unconditionally, saying, Elohim will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my atzmot away from here with you.

Shemot 13:19 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 13:19

And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him
And his remains might well be called bones, since at such a distance from his death the flesh must be gone, and nothing but bones left; of the place where Joseph's coffin was laid, (See Gill on Genesis 50:26). The Jews pretend, that Moses was informed where Joseph was buried by Sarah, the daughter of Asher, who they say was living at this time F17; and many other fables they relate concerning the manner of finding him, which are not worthy of any notice. Jarchi thinks, that the bones of all the tribes, or of the sons of Jacob, were carried with them, but that does not appear from the text; though it seems, according to Stephen's account, that they were carried over to Canaan; but then, whether immediately after their death, or at this time, and also by whom, is not certain, see ( Acts 7:15 Acts 7:16 ) : for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel;
his brethren; or "in swearing had caused them to swear" F18, had given them a very strict oath, and which they had related to their children, and so from one generation to another, and thus it became known, and Moses looked upon himself and the people of Israel as bound to observe it: saying, God will surely visit you;
in a way of mercy and goodness, and bring you out of Egypt, and put you it possession of the land of Canaan: and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you;
(See Gill on Genesis 50:25).


FOOTNOTES:

F17 T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 13. 1.
F18 (eybvh ebvh) "adjurando adjuraverat", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius.

Shemot 13:19 In-Context

17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that Elohim led them not through the derech of the eretz of the Pelishtim (Philistines), although that was near; for Elohim said, Lest perhaps the people change their mind when they see milchamah, and they return to Mitzrayim;
18 So Elohim led HaAm about, through the derech of the midbar of the Yam Suf; and the Bnei Yisroel went up out of Eretz Mitzrayim ready for battle.
19 And Moshe took the atzmot Yosef with him; for Yosef had made the Bnei Yisroel swear unconditionally, saying, Elohim will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my atzmot away from here with you.
20 And they took their journey from Sukkot, and encamped in Etam, at the edge of the midbar.
21 And Hashem went before them by day in an ammud anan, to guide them haderech; and by lailah in an ammud eish, to give them ohr; so they could travel yomam valailah (day or night);
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