Genesis 47
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Joseph informs Pharaoh that his father and brethren are arrived in Goshen, Gen 47:1. He presents five of his brethren before the king, Gen 47:2, who questions them concerning their occupation; they inform him that they are shepherds, and request permission to dwell in the land of Goshen, Gen 47:3, Gen 47:4. Pharaoh consents, and desires that some of the most active of them should be made rulers over his cattle, Gen 47:5, Gen 47:6. Joseph presents his father to Pharaoh, Gen 47:7, who questions him concerning his age, Gen 47:8, to which Jacob returns an affecting answer, and blesses Pharaoh, Gen 47:9, Gen 47:10. Joseph places his father and family in the land of Rameses, (Goshen), and furnishes them with provisions, Gen 47:11, Gen 47:12. The famine prevailing in the land, the Egyptians deliver up all their money to Joseph to get food, Gen 47:13-15. The next year they bring their cattle, Gen 47:16, Gen 47:17. The third, their lands and their persons, Gen 47:18-21. The land of the priests Joseph does not buy, as it was a royal grant to them from Pharaoh, Gen 47:22. The people receive seed to sow the land on condition that they shall give a fifth part of the produce to the king, Gen 47:23, Gen 47:24. The people agree, and Joseph makes it a law all over Egypt, Gen 47:25, Gen 47:26. The Israelites multiply exceedingly, Gen 47:27. Jacob, having lived seventeen years in Goshen, and being one hundred and forty-seven years old, Gen 47:28, makes Joseph promise not to bury him in Egypt, but in Canaan, Gen 47:29, Gen 47:30. Joseph promises and confirms it with an oath, Gen 47:31.
Open source ↗JOSEPH'S PRESENTATION AT COURT. (Gen. 47:1-31) Joseph . . . told Pharaoh, My father and my brethren--Joseph furnishes a beautiful example of a man who could bear equally well the extremes of prosperity and adversity. High as he was, he did not forget that he had a superior. Dearly as he loved his father and anxiously as he desired to provide for the whole family, he would not go into the arrangements he had planned for their stay in Goshen until he had obtained the sanction of his royal master.
Open source ↗Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh,.... After he had been with his father, had had an interview with him, and had took his leave of him for a time, he came to Pharaoh's court: and said, my father, and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; Pharaoh had desired they might come, and Joseph now acquaints him they were come; not being willing it should be said that they were come in a private manner, and without his knowledge; nor to dispose of them himself without the direction and approbation of Pharaoh, who was superior to him; and he makes mention of their flocks and herds, and other substance, partly to show that they were not a mean beggarly family that came to live upon him, and partly that a proper place of pasturage for their cattle might be appointed to them: and behold, they are in the land of Goshen; they are stopped at present, until they should have further directions and orders where to settle; and this is the rather mentioned, because it was the place Joseph proposed with himself to fix them in, if Pharaoh approved of it.
Open source ↗When Joseph had announced to Pharaoh the arrival of his relations in Goshen, he presented five out of the whole number of his brethren (אחיו מקצה; on קצה see Gen 19:4) to the king.
Open source ↗Here is, I. The respect which Joseph, as a subject, showed to his prince. Though he was his favourite, and prime-minister of state, and had had particular orders from him to send for his father down to Egypt, yet he would not suffer him to settle till he had given notice of it to Pharaoh, Gen 47:1. Christ, our Joseph, disposes of his followers in his kingdom as it is prepared of his Father, saying, It is not mine to give, Mat 20:23. II. The respect which Joseph, as a brother, showed to his brethren, notwithstanding all the unkindness he had formerly received from them. 1. Though he was a great man, and they were comparatively mean and despicable, especially in Egypt, yet he owned them. Let those that are rich and great in the world learn hence not to overlook nor despise their poor relations. Every branch of the tree is not a top branch; but, because it is a lower branch, is it therefore not of the tree? Our Lord Jesus, like Joseph here, is not ashamed to call us brethren. 2. They being strangers and no courtiers, he introduced some of them to Pharaoh, to kiss his hand, as we say, intending thereby to put an honour upon them among the Egyptians. Thus Christ presents his brethren in the court of heaven, and improves his interest for them, though in themselves unworthy and an abomination to the Egyptians. Being presented to Pharaoh, according to the instructions which Joseph had given them, they tell him, (1.) What was their business - that they were shepherds, Gen 47:3. Pharaoh asked them (and Joseph knew it would be one of his first questions, Gen 46:33), What is your occupation? He takes it for granted they had something to do, else Egypt should be no place for them, no harbour for idle vagrants. If they would not work, they should not eat of his bread in this time of…
Open source ↗47:1-6 Pharaoh responded as Joseph hoped by giving Jacob’s family the best part of the land; he even gave some of the brothers oversight of his own livestock (47:6). 47:1 Goshen (see study note on 45:10) is not referred to in ancient Egyptian texts; the name it bore in later Egyptian writings was “the region of Rameses” (47:11; see Exod 1:11). It was fertile and near to Joseph at court, which suggests that it was on the eastern side of the Nile delta.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him גֹּשֶׁן (Gôshen, H1657) — Goshen, the residence of the Israelites in Egypt; also a place in Palestine
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָצַג (yâtsag, H3322) — to place permanently פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings
Open source ↗פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מִרְעֶה (mirʻeh, H4829) — pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… גֹּשֶׁן (Gôshen, H1657) — Goshen, the residence of the Israelites in Egypt; also a place in Palestine
Open source ↗פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֵיטָב (mêyṭâb, H4315) — the best part יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… גֹּשֶׁן (Gôshen, H1657) — Goshen, the residence of the Israelites in Egypt; also a place in Palestine יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class)
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch מָה (mâh, H4100) — properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what!… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time)
Open source ↗יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מָגוּר (mâgûwr, H4033) — a temporary abode; by extension, a permanent residence מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt מֵיטָב (mêyṭâb, H4315) — the best part רַעְמְסֵס (Raʻmᵉçêç, H7486) — Rameses or Raamses, a place in Egypt פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… טַף (ṭaph, H2945) — a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
Open source ↗לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him לָהַהּ (lâhahh, H3856) — to be rabid (figuratively, insane); also (from the exhaustion of frenzy) to languish פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites לָקַט (lâqaṭ, H3950) — properly, to pick up, i.e. (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7668) — grain (as if broken into kernels) שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7666) — to deal in grain בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own.
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me.
Now Jacob had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When Jacob’s family arrived in the land of Goshen,
When the news reached Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land.
The only place where it did not hail was in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived.