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Genesis 50:24 - Promise of future redemption

Genesis 50:24 - בראשית 50:24

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל־אֶחָיו אָנֹכִי מֵת וֵאלֹהִים פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד אֶתְכֶם וְהֶעֱלָה אֶתְכֶם מִן־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיַעֲקֹב׃

English Translation

And Yosef said to his brothers, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land of which He swore to Avraham, to Yiżĥaq, and to Ya῾aqov.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Yosef el-echav anochi met ve'Elohim pakod yifkod etchem vehe'elah etchem min-ha'aretz hazot el-ha'aretz asher nishba le'Avraham le'Yitzchak ule'Ya'akov.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ אֶל־אֶחָ֔יו אָנֹכִ֖י מֵ֑ת וֵֽאלֹהִ֞ים פָּקֹ֧ד יִפְקֹ֣ד אֶתְכֶ֗ם וְהֶעֱלָ֤ה אֶתְכֶם֙ מִן־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֛ע לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ אֶל־אֶחָ֔יו אָנֹכִ֖י מֵ֑ת וֵֽאלֹהִ֞ים פָּקֹ֧ד יִפְקֹ֣ד אֶתְכֶ֗ם וְהֶעֱלָ֤ה אֶתְכֶם֙ מִן־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֛ע לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Yosef's Final Prophecy and Promise

The verse (Bereshit 50:24) records Yosef's final words to his brothers, affirming his belief in the eventual redemption of Bnei Yisrael from Egypt. Rashi explains that Yosef used the phrase "פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד" (literally "visiting, He will visit") to emphasize the certainty of Hashem's redemption, employing the double language common in prophetic assurances (as seen with Moshe in Shemot 3:16). This linguistic doubling signifies an immutable divine promise.

The Oath to the Avot

Yosef specifically mentions the oath made to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. The Ramban notes that this connects the Egyptian exile directly to the covenant in Bereshit 15, where Avraham was told his descendants would be strangers in a foreign land before inheriting Eretz Yisrael. By invoking all three patriarchs, Yosef stresses the continuity of the divine promise across generations.

Yosef's Awareness of His Death

The opening phrase "אָנֹכִי מֵת" ("I am dying") is interpreted by the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 96:5) as Yosef demonstrating his righteousness—he confronts mortality with clarity while focusing on future redemption rather than personal fear. The Sforno adds that Yosef's declaration was meant to reassure his brothers that despite his impending death, Hashem's plan would continue uninterrupted.

Theological Implications

  • Hashgacha Pratit (Divine Providence): The Kli Yakar highlights how Yosef—who experienced profound personal redemption—now affirms national redemption, teaching that individual and collective divine guidance are intertwined.
  • Emunah in Geulah (Faith in Redemption): The Malbim notes that Yosef's words became a foundational creed for Bnei Yisrael in Egypt, later echoed by Moshe when introducing himself as the redeemer (Shemot 3:16-17).

Halachic Echoes

The Mechilta (Bo 16) derives from this verse that one must reaffirm belief in the ultimate redemption even in exile. This principle underlies the Passover Haggadah's emphasis on retelling Yetziat Mitzrayim as a living promise of future geulah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 13b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing Joseph's death and his prophecy about the future redemption of the Israelites from Egypt.
📖 Berakhot 16b
Mentioned in a discussion about the righteous and their trust in God's promises, referencing Joseph's assurance to his brothers about their eventual return to the promised land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Yosef mean when he says 'God will surely visit you'?
A: Yosef is assuring his brothers that even after his death, Hashem will remember His promise to their ancestors (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) and eventually redeem their descendants from Egypt. Rashi explains that this phrase ('pakod yifkod') is a double expression emphasizing certainty—that Hashem will definitely fulfill His promise to bring them to the Land of Israel.
Q: Why does Yosef mention the oath to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov?
A: Yosef reminds his brothers of Hashem's covenant with their forefathers to show that their future redemption is not random but part of a divine plan. The Ramban teaches that this connects their suffering in Egypt directly to the promises made to the Avot (Patriarchs), reinforcing that their exile and eventual redemption were foretold and purposeful.
Q: How did Yosef's prophecy about the Exodus come true?
A: Centuries later, Moshe used these very words ('pakod yifkod') when revealing to the Jews that their redemption was near (Exodus 3:16). The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 3:8) notes that this phrase became a sign between the tribes, passed down through generations, proving that Moshe was the true redeemer sent by Hashem.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's final words to his brothers?
A: Yosef teaches us to have unwavering faith in Hashem's promises, even when circumstances seem bleak. Despite being a powerful leader in Egypt, he emphasized that true redemption comes only from Hashem. The Sforno explains that this reminds Jews in every generation to trust in divine providence and the ultimate fulfillment of our covenantal destiny.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Yosef's death at the beginning of the verse?
A: Rashi (Genesis 50:24) explains that Yosef prefaced his prophecy with 'I am dying' to show his brothers that although he won’t live to see their redemption, his words are trustworthy because a person speaks only truth at the time of death (a concept known as 'divrei shechiv mera'). This gave his prophecy greater weight for future generations.