King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:11 Mean?

Genesis 47:11 in the King James Version says “And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land,... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

Genesis 47:11 · KJV


Context

9

And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

10

And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

11

And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

12

And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families. according: or, as a little child is nourished: Heb. according to the little ones

13

And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in t... 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 theological truths about Settlement in Goshen emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב1 of 18

placed

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יוֹסֵף֮2 of 18

And Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶת3 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אָבִ֣יו4 of 18

his father

H1

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

וְאֶת5 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶחָיו֒6 of 18

and his brethren

H251

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

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן7 of 18

and gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֤ם8 of 18
H0
אֲחֻזָּה֙9 of 18

them a possession

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ10 of 18

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם11 of 18

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּמֵיטַ֥ב12 of 18

in the best

H4315

the best part

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ13 of 18

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ14 of 18

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

רַעְמְסֵ֑ס15 of 18

of Rameses

H7486

rameses or raamses, a place in egypt

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר16 of 18
H834

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

צִוָּ֥ה17 of 18

had commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

פַרְעֹֽה׃18 of 18

as Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings


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 47:11 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 47:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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