Genesis 47:27 kjv

And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

Genesis 47:27 nkjv

So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly.

Genesis 47:27 niv

Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.

Genesis 47:27 esv

Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.

Genesis 47:27 nlt

Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly.

Genesis 47 verses

Genesis 47 27 Meaning

Genesis 47:27 signifies a period of remarkable prosperity and growth for the family of Jacob (Israel) in Egypt. Having settled in the fertile region of Goshen, they not only established permanent residency and acquired significant assets, but they also experienced a divinely-blessed rapid population increase. This verse highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises of multiplication and blessings for Abraham's descendants, even as they sojourned in a foreign land, thereby setting the stage for their future as a mighty nation.

Genesis 47 27 Context

Genesis 47:27 marks a pivotal point in the narrative of Jacob's family in Egypt. The preceding verses detail Joseph's wise and strategic management of Egypt during the severe famine, which involved the people exchanging their livestock, land, and eventually themselves for food, thus becoming Pharaoh's subjects. Having secured his family's safe arrival and settlement, Joseph presented his father and brothers to Pharaoh, explicitly requesting and receiving permission for them to live in the fertile land of Goshen. This arrangement allowed the Israelites to maintain their pastoral lifestyle, which was distinct from the agricultural society of the Egyptians, thereby helping to preserve their cultural and religious identity. The verse encapsulates the immediate flourishing of Israel in their new dwelling place, serving as the calm before the eventual storm of oppression detailed in the book of Exodus. It represents the successful initial phase of God's plan for making Jacob's small clan into a large nation, confirming His divine protection and provision even outside the promised land of Canaan.

Genesis 47 27 Word analysis

• So Israel (וַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל - vayeshev Yisrael): "Israel" here refers collectively to Jacob and his descendants, highlighting their identity as God's chosen people, distinct from the Egyptians. The name "Israel" signifies their wrestling with God (Gen 32:28), now divinely placed and protected.
• lived (יָשַׁב - yashav): This Hebrew verb means to "dwell," "settle," or "inhabit" with permanence. It implies establishment and security, not mere temporary camping. They were rooted.
• in the land of Egypt (בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם - be'eretz Mitzrayim): The general geographical location. This phrase emphasizes that God's people prospered even in a foreign land, highlighting His sovereign control beyond geographical boundaries.
• in the land of Goshen (בְּאֶרֶץ גֹּשֶׁן - be'eretz Goshen): Goshen was known for its fertile pastures, ideal for livestock. Its name possibly means "drawing near" or "approach," indicating a prime location, perhaps bordering Canaan. Its strategic separation allowed Israel to maintain their distinct identity (Gen 46:34).
• and they acquired possessions (וַיֵּאָחֲזוּ בָּהּ - vaye'ahazu vah): The verb 'achaz (אחז) combined with achuzzah (אחזות) for "possessions" denotes taking firm hold, owning, or acquiring permanent holdings, specifically property or real estate. This indicates wealth accumulation and investment, going beyond simple survival and suggesting a level of security and integration (though not assimilation) into the Egyptian economy.
• and were fruitful (וַיִּפְרוּ - vayifru): From the verb parah (פָּרָה), "to be fruitful" or "to bear fruit." This is a direct echo of the creation mandate (Gen 1:28, 9:1) and the specific covenant promise repeatedly made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 17:6, 28:3, 35:11). It signifies divine blessing on their procreation and prosperity.
• and multiplied greatly (וַיִּרְבּוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד - vayirbu me'od me'od): The verb rabah (רָבָה) means "to become numerous," "increase." The emphatic repetition of me'od ("greatly" or "very," doubling its intensity) underscores the extraordinary and accelerated nature of their population growth. This numerical explosion was essential for them to become the "great nation" God had promised Abraham.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "So Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen": This phrase details the establishment of a settled existence for Jacob's family in a specific, advantageous part of a foreign land. It underscores God's providence in guiding them to a secure and separate environment suitable for their pastoral lifestyle, thus preserving them as a distinct people.
• "and they acquired possessions in it": This phrase highlights not just their subsistence, but their economic success and growing wealth within Goshen. Acquiring achuzzah (permanent holdings/property) signals their security, investment in their future, and implies a level of favor beyond mere sustenance, foreshadowing the future wealth they would depart Egypt with (Exod 12:35-36).
• "and were fruitful and multiplied greatly": This is a covenantal fulfillment statement. The consistent pairing of "fruitful" (parah) and "multiplied" (rabah) throughout Genesis indicates a direct link to the Abrahamic promises of numerous descendants. The "greatly" (me'od me'od) emphasizes the supernatural and abundant nature of this growth, signaling that God's promise was indeed being rapidly realized, setting the stage for their national identity before the Exodus.

Genesis 47 27 Bonus section

The prosperity described in Genesis 47:27 within the foreign land of Egypt carries profound theological weight. It subtly presents a prefiguring of how God's people, even in an "alien" or hostile environment (which Egypt later became), are still under divine blessing and can thrive according to God's purpose. This concept extends throughout biblical narrative, even into the New Testament with believers living "in the world, but not of the world." The intensive multiplication of Israel in Goshen essentially prepared a large enough population for God to miraculously deliver as a "great army" from Egypt (Exod 12:41), fulfilling another part of His promise to Abraham, "I will make of you a great nation" (Gen 12:2). Thus, Goshen served as a vital incubator or "nursery" for the chosen people before their dramatic emergence onto the world stage at the Exodus.

Genesis 47 27 Commentary

Genesis 47:27 serves as a crucial theological bridge, showcasing God's unfailing commitment to His covenant. It meticulously records the flourishing of Israel in Egypt, transforming from a small clan into a nascent nation. The choice of Goshen was strategic: fertile lands for their flocks, but geographically distinct, preserving their identity amidst a dominant culture. "Acquiring possessions" reveals not merely survival, but prosperity and rootedness, which paradoxically intensified their connection to a land that would later become their crucible of suffering. The repeated phrase "fruitful and multiplied greatly" directly echoes the Genesis promises, serving as a powerful reminder that divine purpose triumphs over immediate circumstances. This period of peaceful multiplication under God's watchful eye was essential for them to become numerous enough to face the trials of the subsequent enslavement and the epic liberation that lay ahead, demonstrating God's long-term plan unfolding perfectly.