share torah logo

Exodus 13:19 - Fulfilling Yosef's sacred oath

Exodus 13:19 - שמות 13:19

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה אֶת־עַצְמוֹת יוֹסֵף עִמּוֹ כִּי הַשְׁבֵּעַ הִשְׁבִּיעַ אֶת־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶתְכֶם וְהַעֲלִיתֶם אֶת־עַצְמֹתַי מִזֶּה אִתְּכֶם׃

English Translation

And Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him: for he had laid an oath on the children of Yisra᾽el, saying, God will surely visit you; and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.

Transliteration

Vayikach Moshe et-atzmot Yosef imo ki hashbea hishbia et-bnei Yisrael lemor pakod yifkod Elohim etchem veha'alitem et-atzmotai mizeh itchem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקַּ֥ח מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת־עַצְמ֥וֹת יוֹסֵ֖ף עִמּ֑וֹ כִּי֩ הַשְׁבֵּ֨עַ הִשְׁבִּ֜יעַ אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פָּקֹ֨ד יִפְקֹ֤ד אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהַעֲלִיתֶ֧ם אֶת־עַצְמֹתַ֛י מִזֶּ֖ה אִתְּכֶֽם׃
וַיִּקַּ֥ח מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת־עַצְמ֥וֹת יוֹסֵ֖ף עִמּ֑וֹ כִּי֩ הַשְׁבֵּ֨עַ הִשְׁבִּ֜יעַ אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פָּקֹ֨ד יִפְקֹ֤ד אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהַעֲלִיתֶ֧ם אֶת־עַצְמֹתַ֛י מִזֶּ֖ה אִתְּכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Fulfillment of Yosef's Oath

The verse (Shemot 13:19) describes Moshe taking Yosef's bones out of Egypt, fulfilling the oath that Yosef had made Bnei Yisrael swear (Bereishit 50:25). Rashi explains that while all of Israel was busy collecting spoils from the Egyptians, Moshe was occupied with the mitzvah of retrieving Yosef's bones. This demonstrates Moshe's greatness—that he prioritized a mitzvah involving the dead (which cannot reciprocate) over material gain.

Yosef's Prophetic Vision

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 20:19) teaches that Yosef foresaw the future redemption through divine inspiration when he made Bnei Yisrael swear to carry his bones. Ramban adds that Yosef's request showed his deep faith in the eventual redemption, and his desire to be buried in Eretz Yisrael reflected his attachment to the Land even while living in Egypt.

Why Moshe Personally Handled the Bones

  • Honor for Yosef: The Talmud (Sotah 13a) states that Moshe personally attended to Yosef's bones as a gesture of honor, paralleling how Yosef (as viceroy) had personally attended to Yaakov's burial.
  • Hidden Coffin: Mechilta explains that Yosef's coffin had been sunk in the Nile, and Moshe needed to retrieve it miraculously by inscribing the Divine Name on a tablet and casting it into the water.
  • Spiritual Parallel: The Zohar teaches that just as Yosef preserved purity in Egypt, his bones symbolically preserved Israel's spiritual integrity during the Exodus.

The Language of the Oath

The double expression "pakod yifkod" (God will surely visit you) is interpreted in multiple ways:

  • Two Redemptions: Bereishit Rabbah (50:10) explains it alludes to both the Exodus from Egypt and the future final redemption.
  • Divine Providence: Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 7:5) cites this as proof that God's promises are absolutely reliable.
  • Yosef's Humility: Kli Yakar notes that Yosef avoided saying "God will redeem me"—focusing on Israel's redemption rather than his own burial.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 13a
The verse is discussed in the context of Moses fulfilling Joseph's request to take his bones out of Egypt, highlighting the importance of keeping oaths and the merit of Joseph.
📖 Bava Batra 123a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the merits of the ancestors and the fulfillment of their wishes by their descendants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Moshe take Yosef's bones out of Egypt?
A: Moshe took Yosef's bones out of Egypt because Yosef had made the children of Israel swear an oath that when God would eventually redeem them from Egypt, they would take his remains with them to be buried in the Land of Israel (as mentioned in Bereishit 50:25). This fulfilled Yosef's request and demonstrated the importance of keeping promises, especially sacred oaths.
Q: What is the significance of Yosef's bones being taken during the Exodus?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 13a) teaches that taking Yosef's bones showed the Israelites' deep respect for their ancestors and their commitment to fulfilling vows. It also symbolized that just as Yosef's body was redeemed from Egypt, so too would the Jewish people be completely redeemed—both physically and spiritually.
Q: Why did Yosef want his bones buried in Israel?
A: Yosef desired to be buried in Israel because it is the holy land promised to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 100:11) explains that Yosef believed in the future resurrection of the dead, which will first take place in the Land of Israel. By being buried there, he would merit to be part of this ultimate redemption.
Q: How does this verse teach us about keeping promises?
A: This verse emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word, especially a shevuah (oath). Rashi notes that even though many years passed, the Israelites did not forget their promise to Yosef. This teaches us the Jewish value of emunah (faithfulness) in fulfilling commitments, whether to the living or the deceased.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from Moshe taking Yosef's bones?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Aveil 14:13) derives from here the importance of honoring the dead and fulfilling their last wishes. Just as Moshe prioritized Yosef's burial request during the hectic Exodus, we too must make efforts to respect the deceased's desires, as it brings comfort to their souls and fulfills the mitzvah of chesed shel emes (true kindness).