King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:1 Mean?

Genesis 47:1 in the King James Version says “Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 47:1 · KJV

Context

1

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.

2

And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.

3

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.

Read Genesis 47 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their ... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
בָּ֖אוּ1 of 18

“and all that they have are come out”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יוֹסֵף֮2 of 18

“Then Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

וַיַּגֵּ֣ד3 of 18

“and told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לְפַרְעֹה֒4 of 18

“Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר5 of 18

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָבִ֨י6 of 18

“My father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאַחַ֜י7 of 18

“and my brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְצֹאנָ֤ם8 of 18

“and their flocks”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבְקָרָם֙9 of 18

“and their herds”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וְכָל10 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָהֶ֔ם12 of 18
H0
בָּ֖אוּ13 of 18

“and all that they have are come out”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ14 of 18

“and behold they are in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָ֑עַן15 of 18

“of Canaan”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

וְהִנָּ֖ם16 of 18
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ17 of 18

“and behold they are in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

גֹּֽשֶׁן׃18 of 18

“of Goshen”

H1657

goshen, the residence of the israelites in egypt; also a place in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 47:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 47:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 45:10Genesis 46:31Genesis 46:28Exodus 9:26Genesis 45:16Exodus 8:22

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
Goshen 1Region · Modern: Qantir · 30.80°N, 31.83°E11 verses across 2 books
View all places in Genesis 47 →

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