Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 47:31

31 And he said, Swear unto me: and he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the beds head .

Not to Ioseph, who, being now not upon his throne, nor amongst the Egyptians, but in his fathers house, was doubtless more ready to pay that reverence as he did chap. 48. 12. than to receive veneration from him, which he owed to his father; but to God, who is here to be understood, as he is in the same phrase, 1 King. 1. 47. whom with this gesture he worshipped and praised as for the promise of Canaan, and the assurance which he had now received from Ioseph of his being buried there, so for all his favours to him and to Ioseph and by him to all his family.

Iacob at this time was bed-rid through age and infirmity, but, being now to give God solemn thanks, though the words and manner of it be not here expressed, he raised himself and s[illegible: 1+ letters]t upon the head or uppermost part of his bed, as he did also, Gen. 48. 2. that he might express his reverence to God as much as he could, by bowing, when he could not do it as much as he would, being unable to do it kneeling. Others for bed read staff, the discussion whereof I refer unto its proper place, Heb. 11. 21.

Marginal references: Heb. 11. 21.