Genesis 47:2 kjv
And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:2 nkjv
And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:2 niv
He chose five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:2 esv
And from among his brothers he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:2 nlt
Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh.
Genesis 47 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 41:40 | "You shall be over my house... Only in the throne I will be greater than you." | Joseph's high position and authority enable him to bring his family before Pharaoh. |
| Gen 45:7-8 | "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant... it was not you who sent me here, but God..." | Divine providence guided Joseph to elevate his family and preserve them. |
| Gen 46:3-4 | "I am God... Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation." | God's plan included His people dwelling in Egypt temporarily, which this meeting facilitates. |
| Gen 46:33-34 | "When Pharaoh calls you and says, 'What is your occupation?' you shall say, 'Your servants have been herdsmen...'" | Joseph strategically planned this meeting, coaching his brothers on what to say. |
| Gen 47:1 | "Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, 'My father and my brothers... are in the land of Goshen.'" | The preceding verse shows Joseph's communication and intention before presenting his family. |
| Ex 1:7 | "But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew very mighty..." | The settlement secured in Gen 47 paves the way for their growth into a nation. |
| Dt 6:21 | "Then you shall say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out...'" | Recalls their time in Egypt, a direct result of this meeting and settlement. |
| Prov 22:29 | "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings..." | Joseph's wisdom and skill brought him before Pharaoh, and allowed him to present his family effectively. |
| Dan 1:19-20 | "Among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah... he found them ten times better..." | Echoes of skillful individuals presented and finding favor before a king. |
| Dan 2:2-3 | "Then the king commanded to call the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams." | Illustrates the practice of presenting individuals (often a select few) to the king. |
| Acts 7:10 | "...he gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and all his household." | Reaffirms Joseph's divine favor, enabling him to present his family before Pharaoh. |
| Acts 7:11 | "Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction..." | The dire context of the famine necessitated the migration and this meeting with Pharaoh. |
| 1 Ki 10:8 | "Happy are your men, happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you..." | Implies the privilege and protocol of standing in the king's presence. |
| Pr 11:14 | "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." | Joseph's strategic planning demonstrates wise guidance for his family. |
| Lk 21:12 | "They will lay hands on you... bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake." | Foreshadows occasions when believers will be presented before authorities, like Joseph's brothers. |
| Acts 9:15 | "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles and kings...'" | God chose Paul to stand before rulers, similar to Joseph enabling his family to stand before Pharaoh. |
| Acts 23:33 | "When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul before him." | Another instance of formal presentation of an individual before a high authority. |
| Eph 6:20 | "for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." | As Joseph presented his family, believers are called to present the gospel boldly, even before authorities. |
| Heb 11:21 | "By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph..." | The actions in Genesis 47 directly lead to Jacob's final blessings in Egypt, reflecting the long-term impact of this settlement. |
| Zech 8:23 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations... shall take hold of the robe of a Jew..." | Although later, this imagery of taking hold and presenting could echo a spiritual lineage. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's provision for Jacob's family in Goshen (through Joseph's arrangement) exemplifies His faithfulness to supply needs. |
| Job 29:25 | "I chose their way and sat as chief, and I lived like a king in the army, like one who comforts mourners." | Reflects a position of authority and care, similar to Joseph's role in this chapter. |
Genesis 47 verses
Genesis 47 2 Meaning
This verse describes a pivotal moment where Joseph, having already welcomed his father and brothers to Egypt during a severe famine, selects a specific group of five of his brothers. He then formally brings them into the presence of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This action is a deliberate and strategic step by Joseph to introduce his family to the reigning monarch and to secure their settlement in Egypt.
Genesis 47 2 Context
Genesis chapter 47 opens with Joseph informing Pharaoh about the arrival of his family from Canaan. The land of Goshen had been set aside for them. Before Joseph's father, Jacob, is presented (Gen 47:7), Joseph carefully orchestrates the introduction of some of his brothers to the Egyptian monarch. This particular verse, Genesis 47:2, focuses on the specific number of brothers selected for this initial presentation. This action is crucial in solidifying the family's presence in Egypt, securing their desired land (Goshen), and officially establishing their identity and purpose (shepherds) before the ruling power. Historically, this aligns with ancient Near Eastern practices where foreign groups seeking asylum or settlement would present themselves or be presented by a powerful patron to the ruling authority. It's a formal and strategic diplomatic move in the face of the severe famine impacting the region.
Genesis 47 2 Word analysis
- And he took: וַיִּקַּח (vayyiqqach). From the root לָקַח (laqach), meaning "to take, seize, receive." The "vav consecutive" prefix denotes a sequential action. It implies a deliberate, active selection by Joseph. Joseph exercises his authority as vizier (Gen 41:40) to choose specific individuals for presentation.
- five: חֲמִשָּׁה (chamishah). The Hebrew cardinal number. The choice of five is significant and widely debated by commentators. It's speculated that this specific number was neither too large to seem like a mass influx nor too small to misrepresent the family's size. It allowed Joseph to control the narrative presented to Pharaoh, focusing on the family's profession (shepherds, which Egyptians "detested") to secure Goshen as a separate settlement (Gen 46:34), preventing assimilation into the more urban or agricultural Egyptian society and preserving their distinct identity and nomadic heritage, essential for the future formation of Israel. This suggests Joseph's strategic discernment.
- of his brothers: מֵאֶחָיו (me'echav). From "אֶחָיו" (achav - his brothers) with the preposition "מִן" (min - from, out of). This highlights that these five were chosen from the larger group of eleven brothers who came with Jacob, further emphasizing Joseph's careful selection. It's implied that they were likely chosen for their articulacy, appearance, or suitability to answer Pharaoh's anticipated questions about their occupation.
- and presented them: וַיַּצִּיגֵם (vayyatztzigem). From the root נָצַב (natsab), meaning "to stand," used here in the Hifil stem, which denotes causing something to stand, establishing, or setting before. This term signifies a formal, deliberate act of bringing someone into a standing position before a figure of authority. It speaks to the official protocol and solemnity of meeting the king, orchestrated by Joseph.
- before Pharaoh: לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה (lifney Par'oh). Literally "to the face of Pharaoh." "לִפְנֵי" (lifney) means "before the face of, in the presence of." This signifies the direct, personal audience with the highest authority in Egypt. The phrase highlights the solemnity and importance of the encounter, validating the family's status and petition through Joseph's intercession.
Genesis 47 2 Bonus section
The specific choice of "five" could also be numerically significant beyond just being a small, manageable number for a presentation. While not directly stated, in other biblical contexts, "five" can be associated with grace, divine sufficiency, or specific divisions (e.g., the five divisions of the Psalms, five oil lamps for the wise virgins). For Joseph, the choice likely served the practical purpose of being able to introduce each brother and for Pharaoh to hear directly from them about their occupation as herdsmen, which was crucial for their allocation to Goshen (Gen 46:34). Some scholars suggest it could be a smaller number deliberately chosen to minimize Pharaoh's concern about a large, unfamiliar group entering his land, thereby making the request for land in Goshen seem reasonable rather than a large demand. This event is a testament to Joseph's exceptional administrative and diplomatic skills, which he honed while serving Pharaoh and which he now applies for the benefit of his own family and, by extension, God's chosen lineage.
Genesis 47 2 Commentary
Genesis 47:2 details a strategically orchestrated event by Joseph to integrate his family into Egyptian society, specifically focusing on the initial interaction with Pharaoh. Joseph's choice to bring "five" of his brothers is not arbitrary. It reflects his prudence and insight. By selecting a small but representative group, he avoided overwhelming Pharaoh with a large foreign contingency, while still giving a clear sense of the family's nature and size. More importantly, this strategic selection allowed Joseph to guide the narrative regarding their occupation. Knowing that Egyptians held shepherds in contempt (Gen 46:34), Joseph ensured that the chosen five would candidly confirm their pastoral way of life. This revelation would logically lead Pharaoh to grant them the best available pastoral land—Goshen—thereby fulfilling God's promise of preserving Jacob's family (Gen 45:7-8) and maintaining their distinct, pastoral identity separate from the Egyptians. This act exemplifies Joseph's continuing role as a providential figure, skillfully maneuvering political realities to align with God's overarching plan for His people. The presentation itself emphasizes the high protocol of the court and Joseph's immense influence, allowing him to bridge the gap between his humble, nomadic family and the mighty sovereign of Egypt.
- Practical Usage: This verse can serve as an example of wise planning and discernment in significant family or business transitions. Joseph didn't just rush his whole family in; he strategized the presentation, considering how they would be perceived and what would be most beneficial for their long-term welfare.