Genesis 47 Joseph's Rise to Power in Egypt

1 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.”

2 He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.

3 Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”
“Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.”

4 They also said to him, “We have come to live here awhile, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.”

5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you,

6 and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.”

7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh,

8 Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?”

9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.”

10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed.

12 Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children.

13 Joseph and the Famine
There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine.

14 Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace.

15 When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is used up.”

16 “Then bring your livestock,” said Joseph. “I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone.”

17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys. And he brought them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock.

18 When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.

19 Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

20 So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s,

21 and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.

22 However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land.

23 Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground.

24 But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.”

25 “You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”

26 So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt—still in force today—that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. It was only the land of the priests that did not become Pharaoh’s.

27 Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.

28 Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven.

29 When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,

30 but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.”
“I will do as you say,” he said.

31 “Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

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Analysis of Genesis Chapter 47

Genesis Chapter 47 is a critical and enlightening segment within the book of Genesis, encapsulating significant moments in the narrative of Joseph’s family and the wider impacts on Egypt during a severe famine. This chapter can be divided into several thematic segments: Joseph’s presentation of his family to Pharaoh, the successful settlement of Jacob’s family in Goshen, Jacob’s interaction with Pharaoh, and the economic strategies Joseph implements to manage the famine’s impact on Egypt. Each section is laden with meaning and theological implications.

Joseph Presents His Family to Pharaoh (Verses 1-6)

The chapter opens with Joseph informing Pharaoh that his father, Jacob, and his brothers have arrived from Canaan, seeking refuge in Egypt due to the severe famine. Importantly, Joseph highlights that they are shepherds, which is culturally significant because the Egyptians traditionally looked down upon shepherds. He strategically presents five of his brothers to Pharaoh, likely to minimize potential conflict and ensure the best possible reception.

Pharaoh’s response is remarkably generous: he offers the prime land of Goshen for their settlement, further instructing Joseph to select capable men among his brothers to oversee Pharaoh’s livestock. This first segment underscores Joseph’s influence and the favor he has found in Pharaoh’s eyes, as well as the providence of God in ensuring the survival and prosperity of Jacob’s family. The generosity towards the immigrants highlights the themes of divine provision and favoritism that run throughout the Joseph narrative.

Jacob and Pharaoh’s Interaction (Verses 7-10)

Another focal point in this chapter is the encounter between Jacob and Pharaoh. The text mentions that Jacob, despite his advanced age and frailty, is brought before Pharaoh by Joseph. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, an act that is both culturally and spiritually significant.

Pharaoh inquires about Jacob’s age, to which Jacob responds with a reflection on his life: “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Jacob’s statement is revealing; it underscores the temporary and transient nature of life (‘pilgrimage’) and reflects on the hardships he has endured, which contrasts with the blessings now bestowed upon him in Egypt.

Jacob blessing Pharaoh can be interpreted in several ways. It is an act of respect, but it also conveys a deeper theological message: Despite Pharaoh’s political power, Jacob, as part of God’s covenantal family, holds spiritual authority. This exchange highlights the sovereignty of God over human affairs, elevating Jacob in a position of spiritual superiority even in a foreign land.

Settlement in Goshen and Prosperity (Verses 11-12)

The text then shifts to describe the effective settlement of Jacob’s family in Goshen, “in the best part of the land.” This can be seen as divine favor playing out in tangible reality. Joseph ensures that his family is well-provided for, securing their well-being during the famine. This provision is important because it reaffirms the theme of God’s providence and faithfulness to His promises.

The progeny of Jacob, now settled in a fertile and prosperous region, are poised to grow into a great nation as God had promised Abraham. This segment subtly lays the groundwork for the future exodus narrative, wherein the descendants of Jacob, having become powerful and numerous, would eventually seek deliverance from Egyptian oppression.

Joseph’s Economic Policies During the Famine (Verses 13-26)

The narrative then transitions to focus on Joseph’s administrative acumen during the ongoing famine. The severity of the famine is emphasized as Joseph implements strategies to manage the economic crisis. Initially, Joseph exchanges grain for money, but as the famine persists, the people of Egypt and Canaan exhaust their money, prompting Joseph to accept livestock in exchange for grain.

As resources dwindle, the Egyptians approach Joseph with a drastic proposal: they offer their land and themselves as servants to Pharaoh in exchange for seed to plant crops and sustenance. Joseph, seizing this opportunity, transfers ownership of all Egyptian land to Pharaoh, establishing a feudal system where the people work the land and give a fifth of their produce to Pharaoh.

This redistribution of wealth and land has significant implications. First, it underscores Joseph’s wisdom and administrative skills. His policies ensure the survival of the Egyptian people and consolidate Pharaoh’s power, transforming Egypt’s socio-economic structure. Second, the passage illustrates the theme of human dependence on divine wisdom, manifested through Joseph’s leadership. The famine becomes a means for God to reshape Egypt’s economic landscape, ultimately reinforcing His sovereignty.

One notable exception within this redistribution was the land of the priests, who retained their property because they received a fixed allotment from Pharaoh. This detail is particularly interesting, indicating the respect and provision for religious institutions even amid economic restructuring. It may also foreshadow the preservation of the Hebrew priests and Levites in later Israelite history.

Jacob’s Dying Request and Blessing (Verses 27-31)

The chapter concludes with a poignant scene: Jacob, sensing his death approaching, makes a critical request to Joseph. He asks to be buried not in Egypt but in the burial place of his fathers, emphasizing his enduring connection to the Promised Land. This request reflects Jacob’s faith in God’s covenant promises to provide and establish his descendants in the land of Canaan.

Jacob’s insistence on being buried in Canaan serves several theological purposes: it acts as a testament to his belief in God’s promises, reinforces the concept of the Promised Land, and contrasts Egypt as a place of sojourning rather than permanency. This act of faith by Jacob is a symbolic and powerful reminder of God’s overarching plan for Israel, even when the immediate circumstances suggest otherwise.

The final verse records Jacob worshiping as he leans on his staff after receiving Joseph’s vow to fulfill his burial wishes. This act of worship underscores Jacob’s recognition of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. It serves as a fitting conclusion to the chapter, encapsulating themes of faith, divine provision, and the anticipation of God’s unfolding promises.

Conclusion

Genesis Chapter 47 is rich in narrative and theological depth. Each verse contributes to a broader understanding of themes such as divine providence, the interplay between human agency and God’s sovereignty, and the ongoing fulfillment of God’s covenantal promises. Joseph’s role as a mediator and wise administrator is accentuated, highlighting his faithfulness and trust in God’s guidance.

The chapter also serves as a bridge between the patriarchal narratives and the forthcoming story of Israel’s formation as a nation, setting the stage for the eventual Exodus. Through Joseph’s family finding refuge in Egypt, settling in Goshen, and experiencing God’s provision, Genesis 47 reinforces the themes of faith, resilience, and divine orchestration that permeate the Bible.

This comprehensive analysis reveals that Genesis 47 is not merely a historical account but a profound theological treatise on faith, leadership, and God’s unwavering commitment to His promises. As readers engage with this chapter, they are invited to reflect on their understanding of divine provision, the significance of faith in times of adversity, and the assurance of God’s sovereign plan in shaping history.

Understanding the Key Messages in Genesis 47: Insights and Explanation

Chapter 47 of Genesis tells the story of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt. Joseph, now the second-in-command to Pharaoh, oversees the distribution of food during the severe famine. He acquires all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh and relocates the people to different cities. Despite the famine, he ensures that Pharaoh and his people thrive.

Notes

This chapter demonstrates Joseph's wisdom and leadership skills as he manages the famine and provides for the people. Joseph's actions also fulfill the dreams and prophecies that were given to him earlier.