Genesis 47:31

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Genesis 47:31 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Jacob) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2. Genesis 47:31 tn Heb “swear on oath to me.” The words “that you will do so” have been supplied in the translation for clarity.
3. Genesis 47:31 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Joseph) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4. Genesis 47:31 tn Heb “swore on oath to him.”
5. Genesis 47:31 sn The Hebrew verb normally means “bow down,” especially in worship or prayer. Here it might simply mean “bend low,” perhaps from weakness or approaching death. The narrative is ambiguous at this point and remains open to all these interpretations.
6. Genesis 47:31 tc The MT reads מִטָּה (mittah, “bed, couch”). The LXX reads the word as מַטֶּה (matteh, “staff, rod”) and interprets this to mean that Jacob bowed down in worship while leaning on the top of his staff. The LXX reading was used in turn by the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb 11:21).