Verse

Genesis 47:1

ESV So Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan. They are now in the land of Goshen.”
NIV Joseph went and told Pharaoh, 'My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.'
NASB Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, 'My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen.'
CSB So Joseph went and informed Pharaoh: "My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all that they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in the land of Goshen."
NLT Then Joseph went to see Pharaoh and told him, 'My father and my brothers have arrived from the land of Canaan. They have come with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the region of Goshen.'
KJV 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.

What does Genesis 47:1 mean?

The end of Genesis 46 described how Joseph prepared his father and brother for their meeting with the ruler of Egypt, who carries the title Pharaoh (Genesis 46:31–34). Jacob and his large family have arrived in Egypt at Pharaoh's invitation. Joseph seems eager to make sure they interact with him in an appropriate way. It was no small thing to stand before the ruler of all Egypt. He held enormous power. His decisions carried the weight of life and death. His willingness to allow Joseph's family to settle in Egypt meant life for them, amid the severe famine in the land (Genesis 41:28–31).

Now Joseph announces them to Pharaoh. Just as Pharaoh himself had suggested (Genesis 45:16–20), they have arrived with everything they own. Joseph mentions very specifically that they are camped in the land of Goshen. It's possible Joseph wanted Pharaoh to allow his family to settle in that exact region. Goshen is not named in secular Egyptian history. It was likely along the eastern part of the Nile Delta since it was close to the court where Joseph resided and well-watered enough to support Jacob's livestock. Later, the area will be described as the land of Rameses (Genesis 47:11).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: