Commentary on Genesis 47

Genesis 47 details the settlement of Jacob's family in Goshen, Egypt. Joseph skillfully navigates Pharaoh's court, securing the best land for his family and providing for them during the famine. The chapter highlights Joseph's administrative prowess and the fulfillment of God's promise to Jacob, even as the famine intensifies and the Egyptians become increasingly dependent on Pharaoh. It concludes with Jacob's final request to be buried in Canaan, underscoring his faith in God's covenant promises.

Historical context

Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, serves as the foundational book of the Hebrew Bible, detailing creation, humanity's fall, and the origins of Israel through the patriarchs. Chapter 47 is set during the severe seven-year famine prophesied by Joseph (Gen 41:29-31), which has now spread across the entire region. The narrative takes place in Egypt, specifically in the fertile Nile Delta region, where the Israelites are granted land in Goshen. This period marks a crucial transition for Jacob's family, from nomadic herdsmen in Canaan to settled residents in a foreign land, setting the stage for their eventual growth into a nation and subsequent enslavement.

Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, holds absolute power, and his administration, under Joseph's guidance, is highly centralized. The economic system described—where the people surrender their livestock, land, and eventually themselves to Pharaoh in exchange for food—reflects a plausible ancient Near Eastern model of state control during times of crisis. The chapter underscores the theme of divine providence, as God uses Joseph's position and the famine to preserve the covenant family, ensuring their survival and growth in preparation for their future as a nation.

Verse by verse

• 1:

  Joseph informs Pharaoh that his father and brothers, with their flocks and herds, have arrived from Canaan and are now in the region of Goshen. This direct communication sets the stage for Pharaoh's official recognition and allocation of land to Jacob's family.

• 2:

  Joseph strategically presents five of his brothers to Pharaoh. This number is significant; it's enough to represent the family without overwhelming Pharaoh, and it allows for a direct interaction that will secure their future.

• 3:

  Pharaoh asks the brothers about their occupation. Their honest answer, “We are shepherds, just as our ancestors were,” is crucial. It aligns with Joseph's earlier advice (Gen 46:34) to state their profession, which was often disdained by Egyptians, thereby ensuring their segregation in Goshen and preventing assimilation.

• 4:

  The brothers explain their presence as temporary, due to the severe famine in Canaan, and request permission to settle in Goshen. This plea highlights their dependence on Pharaoh's goodwill and Joseph's influence, and it secures the land Joseph had already designated for them.

• 6:

  Pharaoh, showing great favor to Joseph, grants the request, offering the best land in Goshen and even suggesting that the most capable among them be put in charge of his own livestock. This demonstrates the immense trust and authority Pharaoh has placed in Joseph.

• 7:

  Joseph brings his father, Jacob, before Pharaoh. This meeting is deeply symbolic, representing the patriarch of God's covenant people standing before the most powerful ruler of the age. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, an act that subtly asserts his spiritual authority as a recipient of God's promises.

• 9:

  Jacob describes his life as a “pilgrim” (ger, גֵּר), full of hardship, and acknowledges his age (130 years). His words reflect the transient nature of life and the trials he has endured, yet also his unwavering faith in God's guiding hand through it all.

• 13:

  The famine intensifies, causing widespread suffering throughout Egypt and Canaan. The land is exhausted, and people are desperate for food, setting the stage for Joseph's economic policies.

• 14:

  Joseph collects all the money from Egypt and Canaan in exchange for grain, bringing it into Pharaoh's treasury. This demonstrates his administrative skill and Pharaoh's growing wealth and power through the crisis.

• 16:

  When money runs out, Joseph instructs the people to bring their livestock in exchange for food. This marks the second stage of his economic plan, further consolidating Pharaoh's assets and the people's dependence.

• 20:

  Eventually, the Egyptians sell their land to Pharaoh in exchange for food, making Pharaoh the sole landowner. This radical shift in land ownership centralizes power and wealth unprecedentedly, a testament to Joseph's strategic foresight.

• 22:

  The priests' land is exempt from this policy, as they receive a fixed allotment from Pharaoh. This detail shows a nuanced understanding of Egyptian society and Joseph's respect for established religious institutions.

• 26:

  Joseph establishes a law that one-fifth of all produce belongs to Pharaoh, a tax that remains in effect “to this day.” This enduring policy reflects Joseph's lasting impact on Egyptian society and economy, ensuring the stability of Pharaoh's rule.

• 28:

  Jacob lives for another seventeen years in Egypt, bringing his total age to 147. This period of peace and prosperity for his family in Goshen allows them to multiply, fulfilling God's promise of growth.

• 29:

  As his death approaches, Jacob calls Joseph and makes him swear an oath to bury him not in Egypt, but with his ancestors in Canaan. This request is a profound act of faith, affirming his belief in God's covenant promise of the land to his descendants (Gen 15:18-21).

• 31:

  Joseph agrees to the oath, and Jacob, in an act of worship, bows in reverence at the head of his bed. This final posture of worship underscores Jacob's enduring faith and trust in God's faithfulness to His promises, even in death.

Key themes

• Divine Providence
• Covenant Faithfulness
• Joseph's Wisdom and Administration
• The Blessing of God's People
• Pilgrimage and Hope

Application

Genesis 47 offers a powerful reminder of God's providential care for His people, even in challenging circumstances. We see Joseph, a man of profound wisdom and integrity, used by God to preserve his family and an entire nation during a devastating famine. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He orchestrates events, even difficult ones, for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).

Jacob's request to be buried in Canaan, despite the comfort and security of Egypt, speaks to a deeper longing for God's promised land. It reminds us that our ultimate hope is not in earthly security or prosperity, but in the eternal promises of God. As believers, we are pilgrims in this world, looking forward to our true home. This chapter calls us to live with an eternal perspective, anchoring our hope in Christ, who is the fulfillment of all God's promises and the one who leads us to our true inheritance.

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