Hebrews 11:22
What does Hebrews 11:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 11:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 11:22 means
Joseph, facing death, spoke of the Israelites’ future departure from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones. He believed God would surely visit his people and bring them to the promised land, and he wanted his remains to share in that hope. Faith lays claim to God’s promises even when circumstances are hard and fulfillment appears distant. By directing that his bones be carried up, Joseph identified with God’s covenant plan more than with Egypt’s glory. His deathbed words kept hope alive among his descendants and linked their identity to God’s coming redemption.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
KJV
King James Version · 1611By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949By faith Joseph, when his end was near, said that the children of Israel would go out of Egypt; and gave orders about his bones.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862by faith, Joseph dying, concerning the outgoing of the sons of Israel did make mention, and concerning his bones did give command.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his bones.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890By faith Joseph [when] dying called to mind the going forth of the sons of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Context
Joseph’s testimony closes the patriarchal examples by pointing directly to the Exodus. The focus remains on faith that looks beyond death to God’s future action. This naturally transitions to Moses, through whom God brings the promised deliverance. The narrative will now shift from blessings and predictions to courageous choices and decisive acts made in the face of persecution and danger.
v.21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
v.22This passage
v.23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 7:16
and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
- Exodus 13:19
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
- Genesis 50:24
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
- Joshua 24:32
And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money: and they became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
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