We are in chapter 47 of Genesis with our word for today. יָרֵךְ upper thigh, side, loin, base. It is used 34 times in the Old Testament. Most of the uses of our word refer to the part of the leg between the hip and the knee. Exodus 28:42-43 You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the יְרֵכַ֖יִם thighs; and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place. Genesis 32:24-25, 31-32 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his יְרֵכ֑וֹ hip socket, and Jacob's יֶ֣רֶךְ hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him… The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his יְרֵכֽוֹhip. Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the הַיָּרֵ֔ךְthigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's יֶ֣רֶךְhip on the sinew of the thigh.
The phrase יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֣חַת יְרֵכִ֑י is used three times in the Old Testament. Genesis 24:1-4, 9 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֣חַת יְרֵכִ֑י hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”…So the servant put his יָד֔וֹ תַּ֛חַת יֶ֥רֶךְ hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.
The third time is in our chapter today. Genesis 47:29-31 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֣חַת יְרֵכִ֑י put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.
We see Jacob’s faith that God will do what he promised and that would include the promised land. So he wanted to be buried there. I think this is what the Holy Spirit is saying in the New Testament book of Hebrews. Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. Even though Jacob was dying and no longer be on this earth he was looking forward to his future with God that he could not see with his physical eyes. I like how Hebrews describes this. Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
