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Genesis 47:29 - Final plea for sacred burial

Genesis 47:29 - בראשית 47:29

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקְרְבוּ יְמֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לָמוּת וַיִּקְרָא לִבְנוֹ לְיוֹסֵף וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אִם־נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ שִׂים־נָא יָדְךָ תַּחַת יְרֵכִי וְעָשִׂיתָ עִמָּדִי חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת אַל־נָא תִקְבְּרֵנִי בְּמִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And the time drew near for Yisra᾽el to die: and he called his son Yosef, and said to him, If now I have found favour in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Miżrayim:

Transliteration

Vayikrevu yemei-Yisrael lamut vayikra livno le-Yosef vayomer lo im-na matzati chen be'einecha sim-na yadecha tachat yerechi ve'asita imadi chesed ve'emet al-na tikbereni be-Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקְרְב֣וּ יְמֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ לָמוּת֒ וַיִּקְרָ֣א <b>׀</b> לִבְנ֣וֹ לְיוֹסֵ֗ף וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אִם־נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ שִֽׂים־נָ֥א יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֣חַת יְרֵכִ֑י וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ עִמָּדִי֙ חֶ֣סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֔ת אַל־נָ֥א תִקְבְּרֵ֖נִי בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיִּקְרְב֣וּ יְמֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ לָמוּת֒ וַיִּקְרָ֣א ׀ לִבְנ֣וֹ לְיוֹסֵ֗ף וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אִם־נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ שִֽׂים־נָ֥א יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֣חַת יְרֵכִ֑י וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ עִמָּדִי֙ חֶ֣סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֔ת אַל־נָ֥א תִקְבְּרֵ֖נִי בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Yaakov's Request to Yosef

The verse describes Yaakov Avinu's final request to his son Yosef as his death approached. Yaakov asks Yosef to swear by placing his hand under his thigh (a form of oath-taking mentioned earlier with Avraham and Eliezer in Bereishit 24:2). This solemn act signifies the gravity of the request regarding his burial.

The Significance of "Chesed ve'Emet"

Yaakov uses the phrase "chesed ve'emet" (kindness and truth). Rashi explains that chesed refers to kindness shown to the dead (since they cannot reciprocate), while emet indicates a truthful fulfillment of a promise. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 96:5) notes that true kindness is that which is done for the deceased, as there is no expectation of repayment.

Why Not Be Buried in Egypt?

Several reasons are given by commentators for Yaakov's insistence on not being buried in Egypt:

  • Ramban suggests it was to avoid his grave becoming an object of idolatrous worship, as the Egyptians might deify him.
  • Sforno explains that burial in Egypt would imply his descendants belong there, contrary to the promise of returning to Eretz Yisrael.
  • Kli Yakar adds that the soil of Egypt would become impure during the plague of lice (during Yetziat Mitzrayim), and Yaakov wanted to avoid this impurity.

The Oath by the Thigh

The unusual method of swearing (placing hand under thigh) is explained by:

  • Rashi connects this to the mitzvah of milah (circumcision), as the oath was taken upon this sacred covenant.
  • Ibn Ezra suggests it was a common practice when making solemn oaths in that era.
  • Chizkuni notes this was specifically used for matters of great importance, like Avraham's servant finding a wife for Yitzchak.

Yaakov's Humility

Yaakov's phrasing "if now I have found favor in your eyes" demonstrates remarkable humility. Despite being Yosef's father and a patriarch, he approaches his son with deference. The Malbim explains this shows Yaakov's recognition of Yosef's royal status in Egypt, while Ohr HaChaim suggests it reflects Yaakov's general trait of humility before Hashem and man.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 13b
The verse is discussed in the context of Jacob's request to Joseph not to bury him in Egypt, highlighting the importance of burial in the Land of Israel.
📖 Bava Batra 116b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the significance of Jacob's oath to Joseph and the moral obligations between parents and children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yaakov (Israel) ask Yosef to put his hand under his thigh?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Kiddushin 61b), placing a hand under the thigh was a solemn way of taking an oath in biblical times. This gesture was used because the thigh represents future generations (as the seed of children comes from that area), showing the oath's importance for descendants.
Q: Why didn't Yaakov want to be buried in Egypt?
A: The Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 96:5) explains that Yaakov didn't want to be buried in Egypt because he foresaw it would become a place of idolatry. Additionally, he wanted to be buried with his ancestors in the Cave of Machpelah to show his connection to the Land of Israel and his belief in the future redemption.
Q: What does 'chesed v'emet' (kindness and truth) mean in this context?
A: Rashi explains that 'chesed v'emet' refers to the ultimate kindness - kindness shown to the dead. Since the deceased cannot repay the favor, it is considered 'truthful' kindness without ulterior motives. The Talmud (Sotah 14a) teaches that burying the dead is among the greatest acts of true kindness.
Q: Why did Yaakov make Yosef swear rather than just ask him?
A: The Ramban explains that Yaakov wanted to ensure his request would be fulfilled even after his death, when Yosef might face pressure from Egyptian officials. An oath made it a sacred obligation that Yosef would prioritize above other considerations, as breaking an oath was considered extremely serious in Jewish law.
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish burial practices today?
A: This verse establishes the Jewish value of proper burial in one's ancestral land. Today, many Jews still request to be buried in Israel if possible, following Yaakov's example. The concept of 'chesed shel emet' (true kindness) in burial remains a fundamental Jewish value, with burial societies (chevra kadisha) performing this sacred duty.