King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:4 Mean?

Genesis 47:4 in the King James Version says “They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their floc... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Genesis 47:4 · KJV


Context

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:

6

The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pa... 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 should this truth about Jacob's Last Days shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ1 of 23

They said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פַּרְעֹ֗ה3 of 23

moreover unto Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

לָג֣וּר4 of 23

For to sojourn

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ5 of 23

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בָּאנוּ֒6 of 23

are we come

H935

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

כִּי7 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֣ין8 of 23
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מִרְעֶ֗ה9 of 23

have no pasture

H4829

pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals

לַצֹּאן֙10 of 23

for their flocks

H6629

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 23
H834

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

עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ12 of 23

for thy servants

H5650

a servant

כִּֽי13 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָבֵ֥ד14 of 23

is sore

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

הָֽרָעָ֖ב15 of 23

for the famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ16 of 23

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָ֑עַן17 of 23

of Canaan

H3667

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

וְעַתָּ֛ה18 of 23
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יֵֽשְׁבוּ19 of 23

dwell

H3427

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

נָ֥א20 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ21 of 23

for thy servants

H5650

a servant

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ22 of 23

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

גֹּֽשֶׁן׃23 of 23

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 47:4 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 47:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study