What Does Genesis 50:6 Mean in the King James?
And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The oath still has a claim after the one who asked for it is gone, and even Pharaoh acknowledges it.
THE MEANING
A promise can keep shaping what happens after the person who asked for it is gone. Jacob’s oath remains active, and Pharaoh’s authority makes room for Joseph to fulfill it. The verse treats a spoken commitment as a bond that continues to matter now.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A promise only binds while the person who asked for it is still present.
THE ROOT
הִשְׁבִּיעֶךָ
hishbiʿekha
GROWS FROM
שׁבע
sh-b-ʿ
To swear or take an oath; the same consonants also form “seven.”
“made thee swear” in this verse is hishbiʿekha. The verb is a causative form of שׁבע: Jacob caused Joseph to bind himself by an oath. Hebrew carries “oath” and “seven” in the same consonants, a traditional association with solemn, complete binding; here that bond remains active after Jacob is gone.
ALSO GROWS
shevuʿah: Oath
שְׁבוּעָה
This noun names the binding promise that Pharaoh recognizes as still in force.
shevaʿ: Seven
שֶׁבַע
The shared consonants link the oath with a sense of solemn completeness.
nishbaʿ: Swore; took an oath
נִשְׁבַּע
This form describes the act that creates the continuing bond in the verse.
THE PATTERN
An oath gives a promise a continuing claim beyond the moment it is spoken.
And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.Where in God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:THE THREAD
And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.The Hebrew word for “swear” here and in Genesis 50:6 comes from שׁבע (sh-b-ʿ), the root associated with oath and seven. This verse shows the vow being made; Pharaoh’s answer shows that it still shapes Joseph’s movement after Jacob is gone.
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