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†. Gen 47: 30b-31a . . He replied: I will do as you have spoken. And
he said: Swear to me. And he swore to him.
The Hebrew word for "swear" is shaba` (shaw-bah'). It's basically a
promise, guaranteed by repeating it seven times. When God's name is
dragged into a shaba` then it becomes a sacred oath; e.g. Gen 24:2-3.
Christ okayed promises, but frowned upon sacred oaths. (Matt 5:33-37)
†. Gen 47:31b . .Then Israel bowed at the head of the bed.
There's differences of opinion among the experts how best to interpret that
verse; but in context, it appears to me that Jacob has become bedridden,
and is-- as best he can for a man of his age and health --doing obeisance to
Joseph as a courtesy in the manner that Abraham did with the Hittites back
in chapter 23. In other words; Jacob lowered his eyes and nodded his head
in a sort of salute; which, courtesy aside, was somewhat equal to saying:
Okay then; we're good.
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†. Gen 47: 30b-31a . . He replied: I will do as you have spoken. And
he said: Swear to me. And he swore to him.
The Hebrew word for "swear" is shaba` (shaw-bah'). It's basically a
promise, guaranteed by repeating it seven times. When God's name is
dragged into a shaba` then it becomes a sacred oath; e.g. Gen 24:2-3.
Christ okayed promises, but frowned upon sacred oaths. (Matt 5:33-37)
†. Gen 47:31b . .Then Israel bowed at the head of the bed.
There's differences of opinion among the experts how best to interpret that
verse; but in context, it appears to me that Jacob has become bedridden,
and is-- as best he can for a man of his age and health --doing obeisance to
Joseph as a courtesy in the manner that Abraham did with the Hittites back
in chapter 23. In other words; Jacob lowered his eyes and nodded his head
in a sort of salute; which, courtesy aside, was somewhat equal to saying:
Okay then; we're good.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=