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Genesis 47 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹So Joseph went and told Pharaoh: “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.” ²And he chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh. ³“What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.” ⁴Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.” ⁵Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to you, ⁶the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They may dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any talented men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.” ⁷Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ⁸“How many years have you lived?” Pharaoh asked. ⁹“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.” ¹⁰Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from his presence. ¹¹So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. ¹²Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families. ¹³There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. ¹⁴Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace. ¹⁵When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!” ¹⁶“Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.” ¹⁷So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their flocks and herds, and their donkeys. Throughout that year he provided them with food in exchange for all their livestock. ¹⁸When that year was over, they came to him the second year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord that our money is gone and all our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. ¹⁹Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food. Then we, along with our land, will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.” ²⁰So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh’s, ²¹and Joseph reduced the people to servitude from one end of Egypt to the other. ²²However, he did not acquire the priests’ portion of the land, for it had been given to them by Pharaoh. They ate the rations that Pharaoh supplied; so they did not sell their land. ²³Then Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have acquired you and your land for Pharaoh this day, here is seed for you to sow in the land. ²⁴At harvest time, you are to give a fifth of it to Pharaoh, and four-fifths will be yours as seed for the field and food for yourselves and your households and children.” ²⁵“You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.” ²⁶So Joseph established a law that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh, and it is in effect in the land of Egypt to this day. Only the priests’ land does not belong to Pharaoh. ²⁷Now the Israelites settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and became fruitful and increased greatly in number. ²⁸And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years. ²⁹When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, ³⁰but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.” ³¹“Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Genesis

Genesis 47

Provision, Preservation, and Promise in the Land of Goshen

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Objective

To reveal God's providential care through Joseph's stewardship during famine, the establishment of Israel in Egypt, and the solemn covenant of burial—demonstrating divine faithfulness amid hardship and exile.

Overview

Genesis 47 narrates the arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt, their settlement in Goshen, and Joseph's wise management of the famine crisis. Pharaoh welcomes them, recognizing their shepherd occupation and granting them the best land. The famine's severity leads to economic exchange—money, then livestock, then land and servitude—consolidating Egypt under Pharaoh's rule except for the priests' lands. Israel prospers in Goshen, while Jacob approaches death and secures Joseph's oath for burial in Canaan, affirming hope beyond Egypt.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

Joseph announces to Pharaoh the arrival of his father Jacob and brothers with their flocks, seeking refuge from famine. Pharaoh questions their occupation and grants them the fertile land of Goshen, the best in Egypt, for dwelling. Joseph brings Jacob before Pharaoh, who receives him with honor. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, acknowledging God's sovereign hand in his pilgrimage of life.

Central Themes

God’s providence in providing refuge

Recognition and honor of God's chosen family

Settlement as preparation for future blessing

Cultural & Historical Context

Shepherds were often viewed with suspicion in Egypt, yet Pharaoh's acceptance shows divine orchestration. Goshen, fertile and suitable for livestock, becomes the designated place for Israel, preserving their identity amid foreign surroundings. Jacob’s blessing of Pharaoh reflects ancient customs of respect and the acknowledgment of divine sovereignty over rulers.

Key Verse

Genesis 47:6

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

Arrival and Settlement in Goshen (Verses 1–11)

A caravan of weary travelers enters a lush, green valley beside the Nile, flocks grazing peacefully under a golden sun. Pharaoh’s palace looms in the distance, open and welcoming. Jacob, aged and humble, stands before a regal Pharaoh, their eyes meeting in mutual respect. The land of Goshen stretches wide, fertile and promising, a sanctuary amid famine.

Famine’s Grip and Economic Transformation (Verses 12–26)

A stark landscape of parched earth and empty granaries contrasts with bustling marketplaces where silver coins clink, then fade into scenes of livestock being exchanged. Fields once owned by families now bear Pharaoh’s insignia. Villagers move reluctantly into walled cities, their faces a mixture of hope and resignation beneath a heavy sun.

Israel’s Growth and Jacob’s Final Covenant (Verses 27–31)

The tents of Israel’s encampment dot the fertile plains of Goshen, children playing and flocks multiplying under watchful eyes. An aged Jacob reclines on a simple bed, his face marked by years and faith. In a quiet chamber, he clasps Joseph’s hand, eyes filled with solemn hope, as the promise of burial in Canaan’s hills is sealed.

Song

Genesis 47 Song

Verse 1:

From famine’s grip to fertile land, Joseph leads with steady hand, A father’s house finds welcome here, in Goshen’s fields so green and clear.

Verse 2:

Coins give way to cattle’s worth, Land and lives exchanged on earth, Yet midst the loss, a law is made, By Pharaoh’s rule, the price is paid.

Chorus:

Provision flows where faith remains, God’s hand sustains through drought and pains, In exile’s shadow, hope is sown, A promised land yet to be known.

Bridge:

And Jacob’s voice, though weak and worn, Speaks of a home where he was born, An oath is sworn beneath the sky, That death shall not the promise deny.

Final Chorus:

Provision flows where faith remains, God’s hand sustains through drought and pains, In exile’s shadow, hope is sown, A promised land yet to be known.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Trust God’s provision even in seasons of scarcity and uncertainty.

Honor the legacy and promises of faith passed through generations.

Embrace God’s call to stewardship and wise management of resources.

Community & Society

Support one another through economic hardship with generosity and justice.

Recognize the dignity of those displaced and provide refuge and welcome.

Establish communal structures that sustain and protect the vulnerable.

Global Perspective

Advocate for fair stewardship of natural resources amid global crises.

Promote peace and hospitality toward refugees and displaced peoples.

Remember the enduring hope of God’s promises beyond present trials.

Conclusion

Genesis 47 reveals God’s faithful provision amid famine and exile. Through Joseph’s wisdom, Israel finds refuge and multiplication in a foreign land, yet their hearts remain anchored in the covenant promises. This chapter teaches that even in hardship, God’s sovereign hand guides history toward redemption and hope.