Genesis 50:22-26·~1 min

The Death of Joseph

Joseph stays in Egypt with his family, lives to one hundred ten, and sees children and grandchildren gathered into his house. His life ends in fruitfulness and continuity.

N²²ow Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110. ²³He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees.

Near death, Joseph says God will surely come to his people and bring them to the promised land, and he makes them swear to carry up his bones. He dies, is embalmed, and remains in a coffin in Egypt.

²⁴Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” ²⁵And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” ²⁶So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt.

Section summaryJoseph remains in Egypt to old age and sees later generations of his family. As he dies, he speaks not of Egypt as home but of God’s promised visitation, and his unburied bones leave the book waiting for that future departure.

Role in the chapterThis closing section ends Genesis with both rest and incompletion. Joseph dies in Egypt, yet his last words keep the promise alive and turn the story forward toward exodus.