Genesis 47:1-12
Settled in Goshen
1So Joseph went and told Pharaoh: “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and herds and all they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.”
2And he chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.
3“What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.”
4Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”
5Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to you,
6the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They may dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any talented men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.”
7Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8“How many years have you lived?” Pharaoh asked.
9“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”
10Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from his presence.
11So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
12Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.
Berean Standard Bible
Joseph goes to Pharaoh and tells him that his father and brothers, with their flocks, herds, and possessions, have come from Canaan and are in Goshen. Joseph selects five of his brothers and presents them to Pharaoh. Pharaoh asks their occupation, and they explain that they are shepherds, as their fathers were.
The brothers ask to settle in Goshen because the famine is severe in Canaan and there is no pasture for their flocks. Pharaoh tells Joseph that the land of Egypt is before them. He says that Joseph's family may settle in the best part of the land, in Goshen, and that if there are capable men among them, they may be put in charge of Pharaoh's livestock.
Joseph brings Jacob before Pharaoh. Pharaoh asks Jacob how many years he has lived. Jacob says that his sojourning years have been one hundred thirty. He calls his years few and difficult compared with the years of his fathers and says that they have not reached the years of his ancestors.
Jacob blesses Pharaoh and goes out. Joseph settles his father and brothers and gives them a possession in the best part of the land, in Rameses, as Pharaoh commanded. Joseph provides food for his father, brothers, and all his father's household, according to the number of their dependents.
The family receives refuge without pretending that the famine is easy or that their years have been simple. Jacob tells the truth about a hard life and still blesses the ruler before leaving. Provision is not the same as forgetting the journey that made it necessary.
Questions
1 What work did Jacob’s family do?
AnswerThey were shepherds and had been shepherds for generations.
2 Where did Pharaoh allow them to settle?
AnswerPharaoh allowed them to settle in Goshen, the best part of the land.
3 How old was Jacob?
AnswerJacob was one hundred thirty years old.
4 How did Jacob respond to Pharaoh?
AnswerJacob blessed Pharaoh.
What This Means for Us
Tell the truth about a difficult life without letting hardship become your whole identity. When you receive refuge, use it responsibly and care for your dependents. When you have power to welcome newcomers, give them real room to work and live; do not make them erase their history before they can belong.
Prayer
God who provides refuge, care for families displaced by hunger, conflict, or loss. Give us honesty about our years and generosity toward people who need a place to live. Help those who receive provision use it responsibly, and those with power share the best of what they can offer. Amen.