Genesis 47:5 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 47:5 kjv
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
Genesis 47:5 nkjv
Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, "Your father and your brothers have come to you.
Genesis 47:5 niv
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you,
Genesis 47:5 esv
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you.
Genesis 47:5 nlt
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Now that your father and brothers have joined you here,
Genesis 47 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:2-3 | "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you..." | God's promise to Abraham of nationhood. |
| Gen 15:13 | "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land..." | Prophecy of the Egyptian sojourn and affliction. |
| Gen 28:13-15 | "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father... will bring you back..." | God's covenant reaffirmed to Jacob, presence. |
| Gen 37:5-11 | Joseph's dreams of his family bowing down to him. | Fulfillment of Joseph's prophetic dreams. |
| Gen 41:40-41 | "You shall be over my house... Only in the throne will I be greater..." | Pharaoh's delegation of immense authority to Joseph. |
| Gen 45:7-8 | "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth..." | Joseph's recognition of divine providence. |
| Gen 46:3-4 | "I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again..." | God's promise of His personal presence with Jacob. |
| Gen 47:1 | Joseph reported to Pharaoh, "My father and my brothers... are in Goshen." | Immediate context: Joseph's prior briefing of Pharaoh. |
| Gen 47:6 | "The land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and brothers..." | Pharaoh's direct instruction and grant of land. |
| Gen 47:11 | Joseph settled his father and brothers and gave them possession... | Fulfillment: Joseph acts on Pharaoh's command. |
| Exod 1:7 | "But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly..." | The initial stage of Israel's multiplication in Egypt. |
| Deut 26:5 | "A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt..." | Israel's historical confession of their origins. |
| Pss 105:23 | "Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham." | Historical Psalm recounting the migration. |
| Acts 7:15 | "And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died..." | Stephen's summary of Israelite history. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that for those who love God all things work together..." | God's overarching sovereign plan and purpose. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches..." | God's providential provision for His people. |
| Heb 11:9 | "By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land..." | Patriarchs living by faith as sojourners. |
| Heb 11:21 | "By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph..." | Jacob's continuation of faith and blessings in Egypt. |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself." | God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. |
| Eph 1:11 | "having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works..." | God's sovereign predestination and purpose. |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." | God's personal care for His people's needs. |
| Neh 9:9 | "You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry..." | Remembering the initial stages of the sojourn. |
| Isa 43:2 | "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..." | God's abiding presence with His people. |
| Amos 3:2 | "You only have I known of all the families of the earth..." | God's unique relationship with Israel. |
Genesis 47 verses
Genesis 47 5 meaning
Genesis 47:5 states Pharaoh's direct acknowledgment and confirmation to Joseph regarding the arrival of Joseph's father Jacob and his brothers in Egypt. This declaration establishes their presence within the land and precedes Pharaoh's granting them the best available dwelling place, underscoring Joseph's high standing and God's providential care for Jacob's family amidst the severe famine.
Genesis 47 5 Context
Genesis chapter 47 is pivotal in the narrative of Jacob's family settling in Egypt. This verse directly follows Joseph's notification to Pharaoh about his father and brothers' arrival and their profession as shepherds (Gen 47:1-4). Having already proven himself indispensable during the severe famine, Joseph's report elicits a benevolent and authoritative response from Pharaoh. The chapter's broader context includes the preceding chapters describing Joseph's reunion with his brothers and father (Gen 45-46), Jacob's divine assurance at Beersheba to go to Egypt (Gen 46:3-4), and the strategic need for safe haven during the widespread famine. Pharaoh's acknowledgment and subsequent granting of Goshen signify the commencement of the Israelites' protective sojourn in Egypt, as prophesied, allowing them to multiply significantly. Historically, Egypt's highly organized society and strong leadership, coupled with the unique circumstance of Joseph's prominence, allowed for this unique arrangement, showcasing God's sovereignty over earthly powers to preserve His covenant people.
Genesis 47 5 Word analysis
- And Pharaoh spoke (וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר פַּרְעֹ֖ה - vay-da-ber par-ʿoh):
- Vay-da-ber (Qal Imperfect Consecutive of דָבַר dabar) implies a formal, deliberate, and authoritative utterance. It emphasizes Pharaoh's direct engagement and the significance he attached to the matter. This highlights Joseph's trusted status, as Pharaoh communicates personally, not through intermediaries.
- to Joseph (אֶל־יוֹסֵ֑ף - ʾel-yo-sef):
- This specifies Joseph as the direct recipient of Pharaoh's words. It reinforces his unique role as the bridge between his family and the Egyptian court, demonstrating the deep trust and high authority placed in him.
- saying (לֵאמֹֽר - le-mor):
- A common Hebrew idiom introducing direct speech. It clearly indicates that the subsequent words are Pharaoh's precise statement, underscoring the king's full awareness and affirmation of the situation.
- “Your father (אָבִ֥יךָ - a-vi-kha):
- Refers to Jacob. Pharaoh acknowledging Jacob specifically shows he understands the patriarchal head of the family unit is present. This is crucial for establishing the entire family.
- and your brothers (וְאַחֶ֖יךָ - ve-a-ḥey-kha):
- Denotes the rest of the Israelite family clan. Pharaoh is fully informed of the entire group's arrival, signifying comprehensive royal awareness and the scope of his intended favor.
- have come (בָּ֣אוּ - ba-ʾu):
- A simple past tense verb meaning "they arrived" or "they have come." It states the definite completion of their journey, serving as a factual premise for Pharaoh's ensuing directives.
- to you (אֵלֶֽיךָ - ʾe-ley-kha):
- This emphatic phrase pinpoints Joseph as the reason and primary destination for their arrival in Egypt. It confirms that the family's migration and welfare are inextricably linked to Joseph's influential position and capacity to provide.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying": This opening sequence demonstrates the unique and esteemed relationship between Pharaoh and Joseph. It signifies direct communication from the highest authority, reflecting Pharaoh's complete trust and reliance on Joseph. This personal interaction confirms Joseph's critical administrative and family role in Egypt's governance during the famine.
- "Your father and your brothers have come to you": This concise statement from Pharaoh confirms his complete awareness and acceptance of the Jacob's entire family. The inclusion of "to you" underscores that their arrival is directly attributable to Joseph's status and the divine plan to position him as their preserver. It acknowledges the family as a unit and prepares the way for their specific settlement within Egyptian territory.
Genesis 47 5 Bonus section
- Pharaoh's simple statement is not just an acknowledgment but an implicit command for action regarding their settlement, building on Joseph's earlier request. It removes any potential bureaucratic hurdles for Jacob's large family entering and residing in Egypt.
- This verse contributes to the larger theme of divine orchestration, demonstrating God's sovereign control over seemingly unrelated events and individuals, including powerful Gentile rulers, to accomplish His predetermined purposes for His chosen nation, Israel.
- The fact that Pharaoh uses "your father and your brothers" emphasizes his understanding of their kinship with Joseph, reflecting the value he places on Joseph and his immediate circle. This personal connection smoothed the way for the Israelites in Egypt for several generations.
Genesis 47 5 Commentary
Genesis 47:5 concisely confirms Pharaoh's recognition and approval of Jacob's family's presence in Egypt, directly communicating this to Joseph. This brief exchange is profoundly significant: it highlights Joseph's extraordinary standing, trusted even with matters concerning the monarch's direct benevolence towards foreign kinsmen. It also signifies Pharaoh's personal oversight, which will facilitate the Israelites' comfortable settlement and multiplication, a critical step in God's redemptive plan to preserve His covenant people through famine. The verse subtly underscores divine providence, using a secular ruler's authority to advance the salvation history.