Exodus 13:19

19 Moses carried the bones of Joseph with him, because before Joseph died, he had made the Israelites promise to do this. He had said, "When God saves you, remember to carry my bones with you out of Egypt."

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 When the king sent the people out of Egypt, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was the shortest way. God said, "If they have to fight, they might change their minds and go back to Egypt."

18 So God led them through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were dressed for fighting when they left the land of Egypt.

19 Moses carried the bones of Joseph with him, because before Joseph died, he had made the Israelites promise to do this. He had said, "When God saves you, remember to carry my bones with you out of Egypt."

20 The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.

21 The Lord showed them the way; during the day he went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud, and during the night he was in a pillar of fire to give them light. In this way they could travel during the day or night.