Genesis 50:5
אָבִ֞י הִשְׁבִּיעַ֣נִי לֵאמֹ֗ר הִנֵּ֣ה אָנֹכִי֮ מֵת֒ בְּקִבְרִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר כָּרִ֤יתִי לִי֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן שָׁ֖מָּה תִּקְבְּרֵ֑נִי וְעַתָּ֗ה אֶֽעֱלֶה־נָּ֛א וְאֶקְבְּרָ֥ה אֶת־אָבִ֖י וְאָשֽׁוּבָה׃
Oath Introduction: אָבִי הִשְׁבִּיעַנִי לֵאמֹר
אָבִי (“my father”) is the subject of the sentence. הִשְׁבִּיעַנִי is a Hiphil perfect 3ms + 1cs suffix of ש־ב־ע (“to make someone swear”), meaning “he caused me to swear.” לֵאמֹר (“saying”) is the infinitive construct introducing direct speech. This formula is common in narrative Hebrew when quoting an oath or divine word.
Quoted Oath: הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מֵת
הִנֵּה (“behold”) emphasizes the gravity of the oath. אָנֹכִי מֵת (“I am dying”) uses אָנֹכִי for emphasis and מֵת, the Qal participle ms of מ־ו־ת, functioning as an imminent future: “I am about to die.”
Burial Site Description: בְּקִבְרִי אֲשֶׁר כָּרִיתִי לִי
בְּקִבְרִי (“in my grave”) uses קֶבֶר (“grave”) in construct with the 1cs suffix. The relative clause אֲשֶׁר כָּרִיתִי לִי (“which I dug for myself”) contains כָּרִיתִי, Qal perfect 1cs of כ־ר־ה (“to dig”) with לִי (“for myself”). This stresses personal preparation for death.
Command within Quote: שָׁמָּה תִּקְבְּרֵנִי
שָׁמָּה (“there”) is a directional adverb pointing to the grave in Kenaʿan. תִּקְבְּרֵנִי is a Qal imperfect 2ms + 1cs suffix of ק־ב־ר (“to bury”), meaning “you shall bury me.” The suffix ־נִי marks the direct object (“me”).
Request and Politeness: וְעַתָּה אֶעֱלֶה־נָּא
וְעַתָּה (“and now”) signals a respectful transition to a formal request. אֶעֱלֶה is a Qal imperfect 1cs from ע־ל־ה (“to go up”). The enclitic ־נָּא is a politeness particle, softening the request to mean “please let me go up.”
Purpose and Return: וְאֶקְבְּרָה אֶת־אָבִי וְאָשׁוּבָה
וְאֶקְבְּרָה (“and let me bury”) uses the cohortative 1cs form of ק־ב־ר, expressing intention. אֶת־אָבִי (“my father”) is the object. וְאָשׁוּבָה is the cohortative form of ש־ו־ב (“to return”), meaning “and I will return,” reassuring Pharaoh of Joseph’s loyalty.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Genesis 50:5
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| הִשְׁבִּיעַנִי | ש־ב־ע | Hiphil perfect (3ms + 1cs suffix) | “He caused me to swear” — introduction to oath |
| כָּרִיתִי | כ־ר־ה | Qal perfect (1cs) | “I dug” — refers to grave preparation |
| תִּקְבְּרֵנִי | ק־ב־ר | Qal imperfect (2ms + 1cs suffix) | “You shall bury me” — part of oath request |
| אֶעֱלֶה־נָּא | ע־ל־ה | Qal imperfect (1cs) + particle of entreaty | “Let me go up, please” — polite request to Pharaoh |
| אָשׁוּבָה | ש־ו־ב | Qal cohortative (1cs) | “And I will return” — assurance of obedience |
The Grammar of Duty and Diplomacy
Genesis 50:5 blends legal formality, filial loyalty, and diplomatic tact. Joseph’s careful grammar — oaths, polite cohortatives, and directional clauses — show how Hebrew syntax supports both reverence for the dead and political deference to authority. The grammatical choices in this verse model how sacred duty and royal protocol are held together through eloquent structure.
