Genesis 47:10 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 47:10 kjv
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:10 nkjv
So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:10 niv
Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.
Genesis 47:10 esv
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:10 nlt
Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court.
Genesis 47 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:2-3 | "I will make you into a great nation... and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." | God's initial promise to Abraham, fulfilled through his descendants being a source of blessing to nations. |
| Gen 14:19 | And Melchizedek blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High..." | Melchizedek, a priest, blesses Abraham, the recipient of God's covenant promises. |
| Gen 27:27-29 | Then Isaac trembled... "Indeed, may peoples serve you..." | Isaac's patriarchal blessing upon Jacob, conferring future dominion and prosperity. |
| Gen 28:14 | "...and in you and in your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed." | Reiteration of the blessing covenant to Jacob, connecting his lineage to global blessing. |
| Gen 49:28 | All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. And this is what their father said... he blessed them, blessing each one with the blessing appropriate to him. | Jacob's final patriarchal blessings upon his sons, demonstrating his role as a channel of divine favor. |
| Num 6:23-27 | "This is the way you shall bless the people of Israel: Say to them, ‘The Lord bless you and keep you..." | The priestly benediction, showing that God's people are ordained to be givers of blessing. |
| Lev 9:22 | Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them... | Aaron, as the High Priest, blesses the people after offerings, signifying a channel of divine grace. |
| Deut 23:5 | Nevertheless, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you... | God's ability to transform and bestow blessings, protecting His people. |
| 1 Chr 29:10 | Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. | King David's public blessing of God, demonstrating a heart of gratitude and worship. |
| 2 Sam 6:18 | And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. | David, as king and prophet, blesses his people through divine authority. |
| Ps 29:11 | May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! | The Lord is the ultimate source of strength and peace, showering blessings upon His people. |
| Ps 67:6-7 | The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, blesses us. God shall bless us... | A prayer for God's blessings to extend globally, so that His ways are known. |
| Prov 8:15 | By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just. | God's sovereignty over kings and rulers, implying their authority comes from Him. |
| Isa 19:24-25 | In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth... | Prophecy of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel sharing in a future divine blessing. |
| Zech 8:13 | Just as you were a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a byword of blessing. | God promises to restore His people, turning their shame into a source of blessing for nations. |
| Matt 5:44 | But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. | Christians are called to bless, not curse, even their adversaries, embodying God's love. |
| Luke 24:50 | Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. | Jesus, as the High Priest and Messiah, bestows a final blessing upon His disciples before His ascension. |
| Acts 3:25 | You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' | Affirmation that Abraham's covenant, leading to worldwide blessing, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. |
| Rom 15:29 | I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. | The apostles are carriers of spiritual blessing through Christ to the churches. |
| 1 Pet 3:9 | Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. | Believers are called to bless others, anticipating spiritual recompense and participating in God's nature. |
| Gal 3:8 | And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." | The universal scope of Abrahamic blessing is directly linked to justification by faith, embracing all nations. |
| Heb 7:7 | It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. | This New Testament principle directly supports the interpretation of Jacob (the one representing God's promise) blessing Pharaoh (the powerful, but spiritually inferior, earthly ruler). |
Genesis 47 verses
Genesis 47 10 meaning
Genesis 47:10 records a pivotal moment where Jacob, the patriarch chosen by God, bestows a blessing upon Pharaoh, the sovereign ruler of Egypt. This act signifies the spiritual superiority and authority of God's chosen representative, demonstrating that God's plan is at work even in the highest secular spheres of power. It represents an exchange where a divine favor is imparted through the vessel of faith to one holding worldly dominion.
Genesis 47 10 Context
Genesis chapter 47 marks a significant turn in the life of Jacob and his family. After years of separation and famine, Joseph, now the prime minister of Egypt, arranges for his father Jacob and his brothers to settle in the fertile land of Goshen. Pharaoh, acknowledging Joseph's invaluable service and the sacred nature of family, grants this request. Verse 10 depicts the climactic encounter: the elderly Jacob, having just been presented by his son Joseph, steps forward and bestows a blessing upon the mighty Pharaoh. This event occurs after Joseph assures Pharaoh of his family's loyalty as shepherds (v. 6), highlighting the peaceful integration of Jacob's clan into Egypt. Historically, Egyptian pharaohs were considered divine or divinely appointed; Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh implicitly elevates the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob above any human or pagan deity, showcasing His sovereignty through His chosen servant.
Genesis 47 10 Word analysis
Then: Signifies a direct sequence, immediately following Joseph's bringing and presenting Jacob to Pharaoh in the previous action.
Joseph: (יוֹסֵף, Yosef) - Meaning "he adds" or "he increases." The powerful Egyptian prime minister, acting as a mediator between his family and Pharaoh. His actions throughout this narrative highlight divine providence and familial devotion.
brought: (וַיַּגֵּשׁ, vayyagesh) - Qal stem of נגש, meaning "he caused to approach," "he drew near." Emphasizes Joseph's active role in presenting Jacob to Pharaoh, suggesting careful, respectful introduction.
Jacob: (יַעֲקֹב, Ya'akov) - Meaning "heel-grabber" or "supplanter," later renamed Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el), "contender with God" or "God prevails." He is the patriarchal head of the covenant family, chosen by God to inherit the promises made to Abraham and Isaac. At this point, he is 130 years old, conveying his advanced age and life experience.
his father: Highlights the familial bond and the reverence Joseph held for his aging patriarch.
and presented: (וַיַּעֲמִידֵהוּ, vayya'amidehu) - Hiphil stem of עמד, meaning "he caused him to stand," "he established him," "he brought him forward formally." This is a significant action, implying a formal introduction before royalty, conferring honor and recognition to Jacob's presence.
him before Pharaoh: Before the highest authority in Egypt. Pharaoh represents the most powerful secular ruler of the time, emphasizing the unexpected hierarchy that is about to unfold.
and Jacob: Reinforces Jacob's personal and active role in what follows.
blessed: (וַיְבָרֶךְ, vayvarekh) - Piel stem of ברך, "to bless." This is an intensive verb, signifying a solemn, deliberate act of conferring good or invoking divine favor. It is not merely a polite greeting but a profound spiritual action.
Pharaoh: (פַּרְעֹה, Par'oh) - The title for the king of Egypt. In Egyptian thought, Pharaoh was considered a deity or closely linked to the gods. Jacob's act of blessing asserts the spiritual supremacy of the God of Israel through His humble servant over the perceived divine authority of Pharaoh.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Joseph brought Jacob his father and presented him: This phrase showcases Joseph's diligent mediation, ensuring his aging father is brought respectfully and formally before the highest earthly power. It's a testament to Joseph's status and his enduring love for his family. The act of "presenting" (Hiphil verb) highlights a significant moment of formal introduction.
- before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh: This is the core action. The juxtaposition of the aged, foreign patriarch with the mighty, arguably divine, Egyptian ruler is profound. The verb "blessed" (Piel verb) signifies an active and authoritative pronouncement of divine favor, illustrating a spiritual reversal of expected societal hierarchy. It subtly communicates that Jacob, through the God of Abraham, possesses a greater spiritual authority than the pharaoh himself. This fulfills, in part, God's promise that Abraham's descendants would be a source of blessing to the nations.
Genesis 47 10 Bonus section
The act of blessing in ancient Near Eastern culture, and especially within Israelite tradition, carried substantial weight. It was believed to convey real spiritual power, a transference of divine favor, often with an associated prophetic element for the future. For Jacob, as the bearer of the Abrahamic covenant, his blessing of Pharaoh was a living demonstration of God's promise (Gen 12:2-3) being fulfilled even outside the confines of Canaan. This also implicitly demonstrates God's sovereignty over all earthly rulers, positioning them under His divine plan and authority, regardless of their own self-perception or pagan beliefs. Jacob's posture, possibly laying hands on Pharaoh or simply speaking aloud, would have been one of authority, conveying a deeper spiritual reality.
Genesis 47 10 Commentary
Genesis 47:10 captures a moment of immense spiritual significance within the larger narrative of Joseph and his family in Egypt. The seemingly simple act of an old man blessing a powerful king speaks volumes. Jacob, despite being a sojourner dependent on Pharaoh's favor for survival, holds a distinct spiritual authority derived from his covenant relationship with the Almighty God. His blessing is not a mere pleasantry or expression of gratitude but a prophetic invocation of divine favor upon the ruler. This act profoundly demonstrates that spiritual power surpasses temporal might, subtly challenging the prevalent pagan beliefs in Pharaoh's divine status by showcasing a higher, true divine power at work through God's chosen servant. It anticipates the greater-blessing-the-lesser principle (Heb 7:7) and underlines God's plan to make Abraham's lineage a source of blessing to the entire world, even impacting nations' leaders.