Genesis 47 Commentary: Settling in Goshen and Securing a Future
Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, 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; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.
And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.
And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s.
And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.
Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.
And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh’s.
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.
Genesis 47 tells a story of provision, shrewd governance, and unwavering faith amidst a severe famine. Following the family's arrival in Egypt (Genesis 46), this chapter details their formal introduction to Pharaoh, their settlement in Goshen, Joseph's strategic handling of the famine's economic impact, and Jacob's preparations for his eventual passing. This chapter reveals God's continued faithfulness to His promises, even in the face of hardship.
An Audience with Pharaoh (Genesis 47:1-6)
Joseph, ever mindful of his family's well-being, presents five of his brothers to Pharaoh. He instructs them to identify themselves as shepherds, a profession somewhat looked down upon by Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). This strategic move serves a dual purpose. Practically, it allays Egyptian fears of competition for labor. Spiritually, it allows the Israelites to maintain a degree of separation, preserving their commitment to God by minimizing cultural assimilation. The brothers request permission to settle in Goshen, a fertile region suitable for their livestock.
Pharaoh, recognizing Joseph's invaluable service, grants the request and even suggests that Joseph appoint capable men from among his brothers to oversee Pharaoh's own livestock. This demonstrates both Pharaoh's trust in Joseph and his willingness to integrate the Israelites into the Egyptian economy in a mutually beneficial way. God had sent Joseph ahead to save his family and prepare a place for them; here God was fulfilling his promise and settling Jacob’s family in the land.
Jacob Blesses Pharaoh (Genesis 47:7-12)
Next, Jacob himself is brought before Pharaoh. In a remarkable exchange, Jacob, the elder patriarch, blesses Pharaoh. This act is significant. While Pharaoh holds worldly power, Jacob possesses a spiritual authority rooted in his covenant relationship with God. Jacob’s brief audience with Pharaoh hints at the fulfillment of another aspect of God’s covenant with Abraham. The promise had three parts: (1) multiplying Abraham’s offspring, (2) giving them the promised land, and (3) blessing all the families of the earth through them (see Genesis 12:1-3). Jacob’s family had already settled in the land. They had multiplied phenomenally. Here Jacob blessed Pharaoh as a firstfruits fulfillment of God’s intention to bless all the nations of the world (Genesis 47:7) through this line.
The direction of this blessing is staggering, and it displays Jacob’s deep faith. Pharaoh sat on his throne, thinking that he was ruling over the world. He should have been the one bestowing blessings. But Jacob knew better: Jacob saw that in God’s economy, he had the greater wealth; in God’s kingdom, he had the true position of privilege.
Pharaoh inquires about Jacob's age, and Jacob describes his 130 years as a "few and evil" sojourn on earth. Despite this somber reflection, the encounter is marked by mutual respect. Joseph then settles his family in Goshen, providing them with a regular supply of food, ensuring their stability and prosperity in the face of the ongoing famine. This highlights God's provision and confirms Joseph's understanding that God orchestrated the events of his life to preserve his family (Genesis 45:5-8).
Joseph's Economic Strategy (Genesis 47:13-26)
As the famine intensifies, Joseph implements a series of economic measures to manage the crisis. Initially, people purchase food with money, but as their funds deplete, they exchange their livestock for sustenance. Eventually, they offer their land and even themselves in servitude to Pharaoh in exchange for food.
Joseph's actions, though seemingly drastic, are presented as a means of survival during extraordinary circumstances. He essentially nationalizes the land, ensuring that the people are not left to starve. In return for Pharaoh's provision, they agree to pay a fifth (20%) of their harvest as tax, allowing them to retain 80% for themselves. This system, while establishing a form of indentured servitude, is portrayed as a merciful alternative to starvation and becomes a lasting practice in Egypt.
It's crucial to understand this form of servitude within its historical context. It differs significantly from the harsh slavery that the Israelites would later experience in Egypt (Exodus 1:8-14). This was more akin to a permanent mortgage or indentured servitude, a common practice in the ancient world. Under Joseph’s authority, the people were saved from starvation and Pharaoh’s treasury was filled to the brim with silver (Genesis 47:14). Eventually the people of the region ran out of money, so Joseph began to barter for their livestock. In short order, all of the horses, the flocks of sheep, the herds of cattle, and the donkeys in the entire region belonged to Joseph (Genesis 47:17). The famine dragged on for years more, so the people then began to offer their very land in exchange for food (Genesis 47:19). In the end, because of Joseph’s wisdom, he acquired all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh (Genesis 47:20), asking in return only that the people provide a tax of a fifth of their produce, a practice that held for hundreds of years (Genesis 47:24, 26).
Jacob's Final Request (Genesis 47:27-31)
While the Egyptians grapple with the famine's economic consequences, the Israelites thrive in Goshen, blessed with God's provision through Joseph. Jacob lives another seventeen years in Egypt, enjoying the care and protection of his son.
As his death approaches, Jacob calls upon Joseph and makes him swear an oath. He implores Joseph not to bury him in Egypt, but to carry his body back to Canaan and bury him with his ancestors in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 49:29-32; 50:12-14). Jacob remembered the promises of God and wanted his bones to rest where his ancestors’ did—in the promised land (Genesis 47:30). Joseph, swearing with a solemn oath, agreed to Jacob’s request (Genesis 47:31). This request underscores Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promise of the land of Canaan to his descendants. It signifies his desire to be united with his forefathers and to participate, even in death, in the fulfillment of God's covenant. This act demonstrates Jacob's enduring hope and serves as a testament to the importance of remembering and honoring one's heritage.
Genesis 47 illustrates God's providential care for His people, even amidst widespread hardship. It highlights Joseph's wisdom and leadership in navigating a complex crisis, and Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promises. The chapter serves as a reminder that God is faithful to His covenant and that He works through both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances to accomplish His purposes.
Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, 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; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.
And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.
And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s.
And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.
Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.
And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh’s.
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.
Genesis 47 tells a story of provision, shrewd governance, and unwavering faith amidst a severe famine. Following the family's arrival in Egypt (Genesis 46), this chapter details their formal introduction to Pharaoh, their settlement in Goshen, Joseph's strategic handling of the famine's economic impact, and Jacob's preparations for his eventual passing. This chapter reveals God's continued faithfulness to His promises, even in the face of hardship.
An Audience with Pharaoh (Genesis 47:1-6)
Joseph, ever mindful of his family's well-being, presents five of his brothers to Pharaoh. He instructs them to identify themselves as shepherds, a profession somewhat looked down upon by Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). This strategic move serves a dual purpose. Practically, it allays Egyptian fears of competition for labor. Spiritually, it allows the Israelites to maintain a degree of separation, preserving their commitment to God by minimizing cultural assimilation. The brothers request permission to settle in Goshen, a fertile region suitable for their livestock.
Pharaoh, recognizing Joseph's invaluable service, grants the request and even suggests that Joseph appoint capable men from among his brothers to oversee Pharaoh's own livestock. This demonstrates both Pharaoh's trust in Joseph and his willingness to integrate the Israelites into the Egyptian economy in a mutually beneficial way. God had sent Joseph ahead to save his family and prepare a place for them; here God was fulfilling his promise and settling Jacob’s family in the land.
Jacob Blesses Pharaoh (Genesis 47:7-12)
Next, Jacob himself is brought before Pharaoh. In a remarkable exchange, Jacob, the elder patriarch, blesses Pharaoh. This act is significant. While Pharaoh holds worldly power, Jacob possesses a spiritual authority rooted in his covenant relationship with God. Jacob’s brief audience with Pharaoh hints at the fulfillment of another aspect of God’s covenant with Abraham. The promise had three parts: (1) multiplying Abraham’s offspring, (2) giving them the promised land, and (3) blessing all the families of the earth through them (see Genesis 12:1-3). Jacob’s family had already settled in the land. They had multiplied phenomenally. Here Jacob blessed Pharaoh as a firstfruits fulfillment of God’s intention to bless all the nations of the world (Genesis 47:7) through this line.
The direction of this blessing is staggering, and it displays Jacob’s deep faith. Pharaoh sat on his throne, thinking that he was ruling over the world. He should have been the one bestowing blessings. But Jacob knew better: Jacob saw that in God’s economy, he had the greater wealth; in God’s kingdom, he had the true position of privilege.
Pharaoh inquires about Jacob's age, and Jacob describes his 130 years as a "few and evil" sojourn on earth. Despite this somber reflection, the encounter is marked by mutual respect. Joseph then settles his family in Goshen, providing them with a regular supply of food, ensuring their stability and prosperity in the face of the ongoing famine. This highlights God's provision and confirms Joseph's understanding that God orchestrated the events of his life to preserve his family (Genesis 45:5-8).
Joseph's Economic Strategy (Genesis 47:13-26)
As the famine intensifies, Joseph implements a series of economic measures to manage the crisis. Initially, people purchase food with money, but as their funds deplete, they exchange their livestock for sustenance. Eventually, they offer their land and even themselves in servitude to Pharaoh in exchange for food.
Joseph's actions, though seemingly drastic, are presented as a means of survival during extraordinary circumstances. He essentially nationalizes the land, ensuring that the people are not left to starve. In return for Pharaoh's provision, they agree to pay a fifth (20%) of their harvest as tax, allowing them to retain 80% for themselves. This system, while establishing a form of indentured servitude, is portrayed as a merciful alternative to starvation and becomes a lasting practice in Egypt.
It's crucial to understand this form of servitude within its historical context. It differs significantly from the harsh slavery that the Israelites would later experience in Egypt (Exodus 1:8-14). This was more akin to a permanent mortgage or indentured servitude, a common practice in the ancient world. Under Joseph’s authority, the people were saved from starvation and Pharaoh’s treasury was filled to the brim with silver (Genesis 47:14). Eventually the people of the region ran out of money, so Joseph began to barter for their livestock. In short order, all of the horses, the flocks of sheep, the herds of cattle, and the donkeys in the entire region belonged to Joseph (Genesis 47:17). The famine dragged on for years more, so the people then began to offer their very land in exchange for food (Genesis 47:19). In the end, because of Joseph’s wisdom, he acquired all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh (Genesis 47:20), asking in return only that the people provide a tax of a fifth of their produce, a practice that held for hundreds of years (Genesis 47:24, 26).
Jacob's Final Request (Genesis 47:27-31)
While the Egyptians grapple with the famine's economic consequences, the Israelites thrive in Goshen, blessed with God's provision through Joseph. Jacob lives another seventeen years in Egypt, enjoying the care and protection of his son.
As his death approaches, Jacob calls upon Joseph and makes him swear an oath. He implores Joseph not to bury him in Egypt, but to carry his body back to Canaan and bury him with his ancestors in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 49:29-32; 50:12-14). Jacob remembered the promises of God and wanted his bones to rest where his ancestors’ did—in the promised land (Genesis 47:30). Joseph, swearing with a solemn oath, agreed to Jacob’s request (Genesis 47:31). This request underscores Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promise of the land of Canaan to his descendants. It signifies his desire to be united with his forefathers and to participate, even in death, in the fulfillment of God's covenant. This act demonstrates Jacob's enduring hope and serves as a testament to the importance of remembering and honoring one's heritage.
Genesis 47 illustrates God's providential care for His people, even amidst widespread hardship. It highlights Joseph's wisdom and leadership in navigating a complex crisis, and Jacob's unwavering faith in God's promises. The chapter serves as a reminder that God is faithful to His covenant and that He works through both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances to accomplish His purposes.