Genesis 47-48: Joseph Introduces his Family to Pharaoh and Jacob Dies
Genesis chapters 47–48 span a period of 17 years. Jacob tells Pharaoh that he is 130 years old. Later we learn he dies at 147 years old. He dies in Egypt, but he makes Joseph promise to bury him in Canaan.
Genesis Chapters 47–48 Summary
In these chapters of Genesis, Jacob and his family have arrived in Egypt. Joseph introduces them to the Pharaoh, and he asks what they do. Jacob tells the Pharaoh they are shepherds and that he is 130 years old. This latter fact is important because we learn later that he dies at 147 years old.
The family of Jacob lives in Egypt for 17 years. In Genesis chapter 48, Jacob is nearing death, but before he dies he blesses Joseph and Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and he makes Joseph promise to bury him in Canaan, not Egypt.
The next two chapters of Genesis are the last two. Then we will move to the book of Exodus. By finishing the book of Genesis, we are finishing with the so‑called original patriarchs. It is important to realize that when God told Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that they would have more descendants than the stars of the sky, God was talking about everything that comes after.
Devotionals and Expressions of Faith
It is interesting to see that Jacob, on his deathbed, blesses Joseph and his children. Blessings were common in that period, and in this family, going back generations, blessings were given and taken seriously. If you remember, Jacob stole Isaac’s blessing from Esau.
It is also interesting that the Pharaoh greets Joseph and his family warmly. In fact, he gives them land in Goshen and allows them to settle there. This is notable because in the previous chapter, Genesis 46, we were told that shepherds were detestable to the Egyptians.
Symbolism & Meaning
Jacob and his family are in Egypt. This signifies that the family has become larger and is now living outside the land originally promised to them. God told Jacob to take his family and go to Egypt for a reason. It will be interesting to see when the family eventually leaves Egypt, and how and when the relationship between the Jewish people and the Egyptians changes. By the time Moses is born, the Israelites are enslaved, and God sends plagues upon the Egyptians on behalf of His people.
Modern Relevance
In this reading from the book of Genesis, Joseph promises his father Jacob that he will bury him in Canaan. This promise has contemporary meaning because Jacob, being on his deathbed, secures a promise from his son. This is something that happens thousands of times a day right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the topic of these chapters? Genesis 47–48 describe what happens when Joseph’s family meets the Egyptian Pharaoh and cover the 17 years the family lived in Egypt.
Where do these chapters come from? Genesis chapters 47 and 48 originate from the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible.
Is honoring a parent’s final wishes important in religion? Yes. The need for a son to honor the deathbed wishes of a father is viewed favorably across religions.
Why does this lesson matter today? Children keeping a dying parent’s final wishes is still important today.
Parting Shots
So we see that Jacob and his family have ventured to Egypt. We know they lived there for at least 17 years, and that Jacob, the patriarch of the family, died there. The Pharaoh greets them warmly, even though they are shepherds. Joseph provides food for his family during the famine, and the family settles in Goshen. These chapters close in on the end of Genesis and prepare us for the beginning of Exodus.
