King James Version

What Does Genesis 49:29 Mean?

Genesis 49:29 in the King James Version says “And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

Genesis 49:29 · KJV


Context

27

Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

28

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

29

And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

30

In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

31

There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Jacob's Blessing/Prophecy emerge from this passage?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיְצַ֣ו1 of 18

And he charged

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אוֹתָ֗ם2 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר3 of 18

them and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶם֙4 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲנִי֙5 of 18
H589

i

נֶֽאֱסָ֣ף6 of 18

unto them I am to be gathered

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶל7 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַמִּ֔י8 of 18

unto my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

קִבְר֥וּ9 of 18

bury

H6912

to inter

אֹתִ֖י10 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶל11 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבֹתָ֑י12 of 18

me with my fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶל13 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַ֨מְּעָרָ֔ה14 of 18

in the cave

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּשְׂדֵ֖ה16 of 18

that is in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

עֶפְר֥וֹן17 of 18

of Ephron

H6085

ephron, the name of a canaanite and of two places in palestine

הַֽחִתִּֽי׃18 of 18

the Hittite

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 49:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 49:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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