King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:28 Mean?

Genesis 47:28 in the King James Version says “And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. th... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. the whole: Heb. the days of the years of his life

Genesis 47:28 · KJV


Context

26

And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's. priests: or, princes

27

And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

28

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. the whole: Heb. the days of the years of his life

29

And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

30

But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty... 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. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְחִ֤י1 of 17

lived

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

יַעֲקֹב֙2 of 17

And Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ3 of 17

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם4 of 17

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

שֶׁ֣בַע5 of 17

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה6 of 17

seventeen

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָֽה׃7 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וַיְהִ֤י8 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יְמֵֽי9 of 17
H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יַעֲקֹב֙10 of 17

And Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

שָׁנָֽה׃11 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

חַיָּ֔יו12 of 17

so the whole age

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

שֶׁ֣בַע13 of 17

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שָׁנָֽה׃14 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים15 of 17

forty

H705

forty

וּמְאַ֖ת16 of 17

was an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שָׁנָֽה׃17 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)


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 47:28 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 47:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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