Exodus 13:19

19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

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 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: