Genesis 50:6 Meaning: Why Pharaoh Respected Joseph's Oath
Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.”
And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.
And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.
and Pharaoh saith, `Go up and bury thy father, as he caused thee to swear.'
And Pharaoh said, Go up and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.
Meaning in one sentence
Pharaoh grants Joseph's request to bury Jacob because of the oath Joseph swore. What this reveals about the sacredness of promises and God's providential care.
Context
Jacob had died in Egypt after seventeen years there. Joseph had his father embalmed, a careful process that took forty days, and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. Then Joseph asked Pharaoh through his courtiers for permission to carry Jacob's body back to Canaan and bury him there, as Jacob had made him swear to do. Pharaoh's reply came swiftly: go up and bury your father, just as he made you swear. This moment shows a pagan ruler honoring a vow made to the God of Israel.
Key Words
Two Hebrew words carry the weight here. The first is 'alah, meaning "go up." It is more than travel; it is an ascent, a movement toward the land God promised. Canaan lay higher in elevation than Egypt, but the word also echoes the call to go up to a place of blessing. The second key word is shava, in the Hiphil form: "he made you swear." This means Jacob bound Joseph with a solemn oath, and Pharaoh recognized that obligation as binding. Even a king who did not know Israel's God saw that a promise made in His name could not be broken. The sacredness of a vow was plain to him.
How Christians Read This Verse
John Calvin observed that Pharaoh, though a pagan, had such reverence for an oath that he felt it wrong to let his own authority override a promise made to God. The oath itself moved him to grant permission. Commentator John Gill noted that the oath appears to be the main reason Pharaoh consented. He might otherwise have kept Joseph nearby. Across traditions, readers have seen in this verse a testimony that even those outside the covenant can recognize the binding nature of a vow, and God can use that to accomplish His purposes for His people.
A common misunderstanding
Some assume Pharaoh's agreement was just a gesture of favor toward Joseph, his trusted official. In fact, the text emphasizes the oath as the decisive factor. Pharaoh says, "just like he made you swear." The force of a promise made before God carried weight with him, even though he did not serve the Lord. He treated the oath as sacred, and that respect shaped his decision.
Living This Out
You might have made a promise that feels hard to keep this week. Maybe it involves a commitment to a parent, a spouse, or to God yourself. This verse invites you to trust that the One who hears your vow can make a way for you to fulfill it. Pharaoh, a man with no reason to help, honored an oath he did not even make. God can move the heart of anyone to clear your path. Keep your promise and see what He does.
Main takeaway: A vow made before God carries weight even with those who do not know Him, and God can use that to accomplish His purposes.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Joseph made a promise to his daddy. Pharaoh said it was okay for Joseph to go and bury him. When you make a promise, it is good to keep it.
For ages 9, 12
Joseph had promised his father Jacob that he would bury him in the land of Canaan. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, did not worship the God of Israel, but he still respected that promise. He let Joseph leave Egypt with a great company to bury his father. This shows that God can use anyone to help us keep our word.
Questions People Ask
Why did Joseph need Pharaoh's permission to bury Jacob?
Joseph lived in Egypt as a high official under Pharaoh. Leaving the country with his father's body and a large funeral procession required the king's approval. By asking permission, Joseph showed respect for Pharaoh's authority and did not presume upon his position.
Did Pharaoh believe in God?
The text does not say Pharaoh believed in the God of Israel. However, he showed respect for an oath made in God's name, which suggests some recognition of the sacredness of such a vow. The comments of Calvin and others note that even pagans can have a natural reverence for oaths.
What does the word 'swear' mean in this verse?
The Hebrew word shava in the Hiphil form means 'to cause someone to take an oath.' Jacob bound Joseph with a solemn promise. That oath was not just a family request; it was a vow made before God, and Pharaoh treated it as binding.
Why was Jacob buried in Canaan instead of Egypt?
Jacob wanted to be buried in the family tomb with Abraham and Isaac in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan. This was not merely personal preference. It showed his faith in God's promise to give that land to his descendants. He wanted to be laid to rest in the land that pointed toward the future God had promised.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study