King James Version

What Does Genesis 50:24 Mean?

Genesis 50:24 in the King James Version says “And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land wh...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

Genesis 50:24 · KJV

Context

22

And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.

23

And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. brought: Heb. born

24

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

25

And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

26

So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Read Genesis 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this l... 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 does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יוֹסֵף֙2 of 22

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶל3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶחָ֔יו4 of 22

“unto his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אָֽנֹכִ֖י5 of 22
H595

i

מֵ֑ת6 of 22

“I die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וֵֽאלֹהִ֞ים7 of 22

“and God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִפְקֹ֣ד8 of 22

“visit”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

יִפְקֹ֣ד9 of 22

“visit”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶתְכֶ֗ם10 of 22
H853

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

וְהֶֽעֱלָ֤ה11 of 22

“you and bring you out”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶתְכֶם֙12 of 22
H853

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

מִן13 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאָ֕רֶץ14 of 22

“of this land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֔את15 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֶל16 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֕רֶץ17 of 22

“of this land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר18 of 22
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֛ע19 of 22

“which he sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם20 of 22

“to Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לְיִצְחָ֖ק21 of 22

“to Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב׃22 of 22

“and to Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

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 50:24 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 50:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 3:16-17Genesis 35:12Genesis 26:3Genesis 28:13Genesis 46:4Genesis 48:21

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 50 →

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