Exodus 13:19

19 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.”

Exodus 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).

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Exodus 13:19 In-Context

17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

19 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.”

20 The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

21 The LORD went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.