King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:32 Mean?

Joshua 24:32 in the King James Version says “And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of gr... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. pieces: or, lambs

Joshua 24:32 · KJV


Context

30

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.

31

And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. overlived: Heb. prolonged their days after Joshua

32

And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. pieces: or, lambs

33

And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph—Full circle! Joseph requested burial in Canaan (Genesis 50:25), making Israel swear to carry his bones from Egypt (Exodus 13:19). They faithfully kept their oath for 400+ years.

Joseph's burial fulfills patriarchal promises. The land Jacob bought (Genesis 33:19) becomes Joseph's final rest—family property uniting generations. This demonstrates covenant faithfulness across centuries. God remembers promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We likewise inherit promises extending back to Eden's first gospel (Genesis 3:15).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Joseph's bones traveled from Egypt through 40 wilderness years to Shechem. Jacob's land purchase (Genesis 33:18-20) provided legal ownership, preventing future disputes. Shechem became significant in Joseph's tribal inheritance (Ephraim and Manasseh). Jesus later spoke with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well near this site (John 4:5-6).

Reflection Questions

  1. What promises has God kept across multiple generations in your family or spiritual lineage?
  2. How does Joseph's 400-year journey from death to burial illustrate faith's long-term vision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְאֶת1 of 26
H853

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

עַצְמ֣וֹת2 of 26

And the bones

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

יוֹסֵ֖ף3 of 26

of Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֲשֶׁר4 of 26
H834

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

הֶֽעֱל֨וּ5 of 26

brought up

H5927

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

לִבְנֵֽי6 of 26

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל׀7 of 26

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִמִּצְרַיִם֮8 of 26

out of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

קָֽבְר֣וּ9 of 26

buried

H6912

to inter

שְׁכֶ֖ם10 of 26

of Shechem

H7927

shekem, a place in palestine

בְּחֶלְקַ֣ת11 of 26

in a parcel

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה12 of 26

of ground

H7704

a field (as flat)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 26
H834

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

קָנָ֧ה14 of 26

bought

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

יַֽעֲקֹ֛ב15 of 26

which Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

מֵאֵ֛ת16 of 26
H853

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

לִבְנֵֽי17 of 26

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֲמ֥וֹר18 of 26

of Hamor

H2544

chamor, a canaanite

אֲבִֽי19 of 26

the father

H1

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

שְׁכֶ֖ם20 of 26

of Shechem

H7927

shekem, a place in palestine

בְּמֵאָ֣ה21 of 26

for an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

קְשִׂיטָ֑ה22 of 26

pieces of silver

H7192

an ingot (as definitely estimated and stamped for a coin)

וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ23 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִבְנֵֽי24 of 26

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יוֹסֵ֖ף25 of 26

of Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

לְנַֽחֲלָֽה׃26 of 26

and it became the inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Joshua 24:32 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 Joshua 24:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study