Genesis Chapter 47
Jacob’s Family Settles in Goshen
1 Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, their flocks and herds, and everything they own have come from Canaan to Goshen.” 2 He took five of his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 Pharaoh asked,
“What’s your occupation?”
“We and our ancestors have been shepherds. 4 We’ve come here to live a while. There’s no pasture in Canaan because the famine’s severe. Would you let us live in Goshen?”
5-6 Pharaoh told Joseph,
“Egypt is at your disposal. Settle your father and brothers in the best land—in Goshen. If you know any capable men among them, have them manage my livestock.”
7 Joseph brought Jacob and introduced him to Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8 Pharaoh asked, “How old are you?”
9 “130. My years have been few and unpleasant, not as many as my ancestors’.” 10 He blessed Pharaoh and went out.
11 Joseph settled his father and brothers, and gave them a possession in Rameses, the best land in Egypt. 12 He provided his father, brothers, and Jacob’s household with food in proportion to how many children they had.
Gen 47:1-12
Joseph and the Famine in Egypt
13 There wasn’t any food in the whole region because the famine was so severe. Egypt and Canaan were starving. 14 Joseph collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan for the grain people bought, and brought it to Pharaoh’s house. 15 When the money was gone in Egypt and Canaan, the Egyptians came to Joseph, “Give us food. Why should we die in front of you? Our money’s gone.” 16 Joseph said, “Trade your livestock for food.” 17 So they brought their livestock, and he gave them food in exchange for horses, flocks, herds, and donkeys that year.
18 At the end of the year, they came and said,
“We won’t hide it from you that we’ve spent all our money, and the livestock belong to you. We don’t have anything left except our bodies and land. 19 Why should we and our land die in front of you? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be Pharaoh’s slaves. Give us seed so we can stay alive, and the land won’t be desolate.”
Gen 47:13-19
20 Joseph bought the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian sold his field because the famine was so severe. The land became Pharaoh’s. 21 He moved the people to the cities from all over Egypt. 22 He didn’t buy the priests’ lands because they lived off their allotments from Pharaoh. 23 Joseph told the people,
“I’ve bought you and your land for Pharaoh today. Here’s seed so you can sow the land. 24 At harvest, give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths will be yours for planting and for feeding your household and little ones.”
25 They said, “You’ve saved us! Be gracious to us, my lord, and we’ll be Pharaoh’s slaves.” 26 Joseph made it a statute about land in Egypt that’s still in force: Pharaoh would have a fifth. The priests’ land was all that didn’t become Pharaoh’s. Gen 47:20-26
27 Israel kept living in Goshen, acquired property, and became very numerous. 28 Jacob lived in Egypt 17 years, 147 years in all. 29 When the time came to die, he called Joseph,
“Do me a favor. Put your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and truth. Don’t bury me in Egypt. 30 When I lie down with my ancestors, carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”
“I’ll do that.”
31 “Swear to me.”
He swore to him.
Then Israel bowed at the head of the bed.
Gen 47:27-31