Death of Joseph
1720 BC
📂 BIBLICAL
📖 About This Event
Joseph died in Egypt at the age of 110, having lived through the famine, the settlement of his family in Goshen, and three more generations of Israelites. Before his death, Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath: 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here' (Genesis 50:25). His bones were placed in a coffin in Egypt, and they would remain there for centuries until Moses carried them with the Israelites during the Exodus (Exodus 13:19). Eventually, the bones of Joseph were buried in Shechem in the land of Canaan (Joshua 24:32).
Joseph's request for his bones to be carried out of Egypt demonstrates his unwavering faith in God's promise that His people would return to the Promised Land. Even in death, Joseph testified to his confidence that God would keep His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The carrying of Joseph's bones during the Exodus became a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness to His promises across generations.
The Catholic Church sees in Joseph's faith a model of hope that transcends death—the conviction that God's promises will be fulfilled even when the present circumstances seem to contradict them. Key Scripture: Genesis 50:24-26; Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32; Hebrews 11:22; CCC 1820
📜 Key Facts
Date
1720 BC
Category
Biblical
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