SEV Biblia, Chapter 47:31
Y él dijo: Jśramelo. Y él le juró. Entonces Israel se inclinó a la cabecera de la cama.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:31
Verse 31. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.] Jacob was now both old and feeble, and we may suppose him reclined on his couch when Joseph came; that he afterwards sat up erect (see chap. xlviii. 2) while conversing with his son, and receiving his oath and promise; and that when this was finished he bowed himself upon the bed's head - exhausted with the conversation, he again reclined himself on his bed as before. This seems to be the simple meaning, which the text unconnected with any religious system or prejudice, naturally proposes. But because hj shachah, signifies not only to bow but to worship, because acts of religious worship were performed by bowing or prostration, and because hfm mittah, a bed, by the change of the points, only becomes matteh, a staff, in which sense the Septuagint took it, translating the original words thus: kai prosekunhsen israhl epi to akron rhv rabdou autou, and Israel worshipped upon the top of his staff, which the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Heb. xi. 21, quotes literatim; therefore some have supposed that Jacob certainly had a carved image on the head or top of his staff, to which he paid a species of adoration; or that he bowed himself to the staff or scepter of Joseph, thus fulfilling the prophetic import of his son's dreams! The sense of the Hebrew text is given above. If the reader prefers the sense of the Septuagint and the Epistle to the Hebrews, the meaning is, that Jacob, through feebleness, supported himself with a staff, and that, when he got the requisite assurance from Joseph that his dead body should be carried to Canaan, leaning on his staff be bowed his head in adoration to God, who had supported him all his life long, and hitherto fulfilled all his promises.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 27-31 - At last the time drew nigh that Israel must die. Israel, a prince with God, had power over the Angel, and prevailed, yet must die. Josep supplied him with bread, that he might not die by famine, but that di not secure him from dying by age or sickness. He died by degrees; his candle gradually burnt down to the socket, so that he saw the tim drawing nigh. It is an advantage to see the approach of death, befor we feel it, that we may be quickened to do, with all our might, what our hands find to do. However, death is not far from any of us. Jacob' care, as he saw the day approach, was about his burial; not the pomp of it, but he would be buried in Canaan, because it was the land of promise. It was a type of heaven, that better country, which he declared plainly he expected, Heb 11:14. Nothing will better help to make a death-bed easy, than the certain prospect of rest in the heavenly Canaan after death. When this was done, Israel bowed himsel upon the bed's head, worshipping God, as it is explained, see He 11:21, giving God thanks for all his favours; in feebleness thu supporting himself, expressing his willingness to leave the world. Eve those who lived on Joseph's provision, and Jacob who was so dear to him, must die. But Christ Jesus gives us the true bread, that we ma eat and live for ever. To Him let us come and yield ourselves, and when we draw near to death, he who supported us through life, will meet u and assure us of everlasting salvation __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויאמר 559 השׁבעה 7650 לי וישׁבע 7650 לו וישׁתחו 7812 ישׂראל 3478 על 5921 ראשׁ 7218 המטה׃ 4296
