Joseph took an oath of the sons of Israel: took an oath of translates the causative form of the verb “to swear an oath” and so has the sense of “made them take an oath,” “made them swear to him,” or “made them promise him.” See 47.31. Jacob had made Joseph swear to him that he would not bury Jacob in Egypt; and likewise Joseph makes the family of Jacob swear the same thing about his body.

Sons of Israel: if the translator has been translating Israel as “Jacob,” that should be continued here. Here the sense is probably more general, and we may say, for example, “Jacob’s descendants” or “the members of Jacob’s family.”

God will visit you is repeated for emphasis. It is the grounds for the Exodus from Egypt. The purpose of God’s visit was stated in verse 24, “to bring you out of this land.” Note that Good News Translation does not repeat visit in this verse but repeats the purpose of the visit: “when God leads you to that land.” Some say “when God intervenes.” New Revised Standard Version has changed Revised Standard Version to say “when he comes for you,” and New English Bible says “when God comes to your aid.”

Carry up my bones from here: in verse 26 Joseph’s body is embalmed. Therefore Good News Translation says “take my body with you.” Translators may wish to do likewise.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .