Genesis 45:18 kjv

And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

Genesis 45:18 nkjv

Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.

Genesis 45:18 niv

and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.'

Genesis 45:18 esv

and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.'

Genesis 45:18 nlt

Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces.'"

Genesis 45 verses

Genesis 45 18 Meaning

Pharaoh, through Joseph, generously invites Jacob and his entire household to leave the famine-stricken land of Canaan and relocate to Egypt. The offer includes provision of "the best of the land of Egypt," specifically promising that they will enjoy the choicest and most fertile parts, ensuring abundant food and prosperity, implying settling in the region of Goshen which was known for its pasturage.

Genesis 45 18 Context

Genesis 45:18 is situated immediately after Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers (Genesis 45:1-15) and following Pharaoh's enthusiastic endorsement of Joseph's plan to bring his family to Egypt (Genesis 45:16-17). Pharaoh, recognizing Joseph's immense value and understanding the severe famine impacting Canaan, is eager to ensure the continued wellbeing and favor of Joseph. This verse contains Pharaoh's direct instruction to Joseph's brothers, conveyed through Joseph, to bring Jacob and their households to Egypt. The promise of "the best of the land" reflects Pharaoh's gratitude and deep trust in Joseph, extending his royal beneficence to Joseph's entire lineage. Historically and culturally, ancient Egyptian Pharaohs held absolute authority, and their decrees were binding. The offering of fertile land, like Goshen (which is later specified), was a substantial royal gift, signifying great favor. It was common for the "best lands" to be kept for the royal family or preferred citizens. The generous provision indicates the unique status Joseph had attained.

Genesis 45 18 Word analysis

• וּשְׁאוּ (ūsh’ū): "and bring" or "and take up". Root: נָשָׂא (nasá'), meaning "to lift," "to carry," "to bear." The imperative mood here conveys a strong command or urgent invitation. It signifies a complete relocation, not merely a visit, implying transporting all family members and possessions.
• אֶת־אֲבִיכֶם (et-ʾăvîkhem): "your father." This refers to Jacob (Israel), the patriarch. The specific mention highlights the importance of Jacob as the head of the covenant family. His well-being and settlement are paramount to God's larger plan of preserving and multiplying His chosen people.
• וְאֶת־בָּתֵּיכֶם (wəʾet-bātêkhem): "and your households/families." This expands the scope beyond Jacob to include all the brothers' immediate and extended families. It emphasizes the inclusive nature of Pharaoh's invitation, securing the continuity and growth of the Israelite nascent nation.
• וּבָאתֶם (ūvātêm): "and come." This is a direct invitation, presented as an imperative, compelling their immediate journey to Joseph in Egypt.
• אֵלָי (ʾēlāy): "to me." Joseph, speaking on behalf of Pharaoh, is the immediate recipient of their arrival. This indicates Joseph's authority and central role in the narrative as the one facilitating God's plan.
• וְאֶתְּנָה (wəʾettenâ): "and I will give." This first-person singular verb ("I will give") expresses the authoritative promise of Joseph/Pharaoh, assuring immediate and concrete provision. It highlights the Pharaoh's power to grant, which in the biblical narrative, ultimately stems from God's sovereignty.
• לָכֶם (lākem): "to you." The plural pronoun specifies the beneficiaries: Jacob and all his descendants through his sons, establishing a foundational secure place for the growing family.
• אֶת־טוּב (ʾet-ṭūv): "the best," "the good," "the finest quality," "the bounty." The noun `ṭūv` denotes excellence, superior quality, or the most advantageous portion. This is a promise of unparalleled provision, not merely subsistence.
• אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם (ʾereṣ Miṣrayim): "the land of Egypt." A vast and powerful nation, particularly its delta region known for agricultural fertility due to the Nile. This specifies the generous location of their new settlement.
• וַאֲכַלְתֶּם (waʾăkhaltem): "and you will eat." This verb directly addresses their sustenance, assuring they will have abundant food, a critical relief from the ongoing famine in Canaan.
• אֶת־חֵלֶב הָאָרֶץ (ʾet-ḥēlev hāʾāreṣ): "the fat of the land." `Ḥēlev` refers literally to fat, the richest or choicest part of an animal or sacrifice. Here, it is a metaphorical idiom signifying the absolute best, the choicest, and most prosperous produce or resources of the land. It implies extreme fertility, abundance, and prosperity beyond mere survival. This idiom underscores the lavish nature of Pharaoh's offer, a guarantee of luxury and richness, not just sufficiency.

• "and bring your father and your households": This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of the relocation. It emphasizes the collective identity of Jacob's family as a growing nation. This is not an individual invitation, but one that encompasses the entire burgeoning covenant community, signaling God's continued care for His chosen line.
• "and come to me": Joseph's directive to his family emphasizes his role as the God-appointed steward and provider during the famine. It’s a direct order from a position of authority, reflecting Pharaoh’s command and Joseph’s pivotal position.
• "and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt": This highlights Pharaoh's unprecedented generosity and the strategic placement of Israel. Pharaoh, unknowingly a divine instrument, provides the most fertile ground (Goshen), ensuring the thriving and expansion of Israel. This gift represents a safe haven prepared by God, fulfilling His providential care.
• "and you will eat the fat of the land": This powerful idiom of "fat of the land" paints a picture of exceptional abundance and prosperity. It implies not just enough to survive, but a rich, flourishing life free from want. It signals the immediate relief from famine and the potential for rapid growth in this fertile environment, which would contribute to the nation of Israel becoming "fruitful and multiplied greatly."

Genesis 45 18 Bonus section

The offer of "the best of the land" was particularly strategic. The land of Goshen, where Jacob's family would ultimately settle (Gen 46:28, Gen 47:6), was ideal for pastoralists like the Israelites because it was rich pastureland, geographically somewhat isolated from the main Egyptian population centers. This allowed them to maintain their distinct identity, culture, and religious practices for a significant period without undue assimilation into polytheistic Egyptian society, even as they grew numerically. This preparation by God was crucial for their later formation as a distinct nation before the Exodus. Furthermore, Pharaoh's motivation, though perhaps born of pragmatic considerations (maintaining Joseph's good will and stability for Egypt), unknowingly aligns with God's overarching plan for His people's protection and proliferation.

Genesis 45 18 Commentary

Genesis 45:18 portrays Pharaoh's unparalleled benevolence, channeled through Joseph, as a divine provision for the covenant family of Jacob. This verse assures the Israelites not merely shelter, but a settlement of the highest quality in Egypt. The emphasis on "the best of the land" and "the fat of the land" illustrates an abundance beyond immediate need, guaranteeing their prosperity and growth during the famine years. This move, although later leading to bondage, was part of God's overarching plan to preserve Jacob's line, protect them during a global famine, and allow them to multiply into a nation before the Exodus. It highlights God's sovereign hand, using an earthly king's favor to further His divine purposes. Pharaoh's lavish generosity is an expression of God's perfect timing and provision for His chosen people, showcasing His faithfulness to Abrahamic covenant promises to make them a great nation.