King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:3 Mean?

Genesis 47:3 in the King James Version says “And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds , bo...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 47:3 · 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.

4

They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

5

And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servant... 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 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 · 16 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ1 of 16

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

פַּרְעֹ֗ה2 of 16

“And Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶחָ֖יו4 of 16

“unto his brethren”

H251

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

מַה5 of 16
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

מַּֽעֲשֵׂיכֶ֑ם6 of 16

“What is your occupation”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ7 of 16

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל8 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פַּרְעֹ֗ה9 of 16

“And Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

רֹעֵ֥ה10 of 16

“are shepherds”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

צֹאן֙11 of 16
H6629

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

עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ12 of 16

“Thy servants”

H5650

a servant

גַּם13 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֲנַ֖חְנוּ14 of 16
H587

we

גַּם15 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ׃16 of 16

“both we and also our fathers”

H1

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

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 47:3 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 47:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 46:33-342 Thessalonians 3:10Amos 7:14-15Jonah 1:8Genesis 4:2

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 47 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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