Topical Bible: Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah

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Jacob, also known as Israel, is a patriarchal figure in the Bible whose life and legacy are foundational to the history of the Israelites. As he approached the end of his life, Jacob made a significant request to his sons, which is recorded in the Book of Genesis. This request reflects his deep connection to the covenantal promises given to his forefathers and his desire to be laid to rest in the land promised by God.

Biblical Context

Jacob's charge to his sons is found in Genesis 49:29-33. After blessing his twelve sons, who would become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel, Jacob gives them specific instructions regarding his burial. He commands them to bury him in the cave of Machpelah, a site of profound ancestral significance.

The Cave of Machpelah

The cave, located in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (modern-day Hebron), was purchased by Abraham as a burial site. It is the same place where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried. This site is not only a family burial ground but also a symbol of God's enduring promise to Abraham and his descendants. The purchase of the cave is detailed in Genesis 23, where Abraham insists on buying the land from Ephron the Hittite, ensuring that it would be a permanent possession.

Jacob's Charge

In Genesis 49:29-33 , Jacob instructs his sons: "Then Jacob charged them and said to them, 'I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite.'"

Jacob's request underscores his faith in God's promises. Despite living in Egypt during his final years, Jacob's heart remained in Canaan, the land promised to his descendants. His desire to be buried in Machpelah signifies his belief in the covenant and his hope in the future fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

Fulfillment of the Charge

Jacob's sons honor their father's request after his death. Genesis 50:12-13 records, "So Jacob’s sons did as he had charged them. They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased along with the field as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite."

This act of obedience by Jacob's sons not only fulfills their father's dying wish but also reaffirms their connection to the land of Canaan. It serves as a testament to their faith in the God of their fathers and their commitment to the covenantal promises.

Significance

Jacob's charge to be buried in the field of Machpelah is a profound expression of faith and continuity. It highlights the importance of the patriarchal lineage and the land of Canaan as central to the identity and destiny of the Israelite people. Jacob's burial in Machpelah serves as a tangible link to the past and a hopeful anticipation of God's future blessings for his descendants.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 49:29,30
And he charged them, and said to them, I am to be gathered to my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Chapter xlix
... objection falls to the ground which charges that the ... to each man's case and needs,
as Jacob foresaw that God ... there they buried Isaac and Rebekah, his wife; and ...
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