Topical Bible: Egypt: Israel in Jacob Presented to Pharaoh

◄ Egypt: Israel in Jacob Presented to Pharaoh ►

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The narrative of Jacob's presentation to Pharaoh is a significant event in the history of Israel, marking the transition of the patriarchal family into the land of Egypt. This event is recorded in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 47:1-12. It highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding his descendants and their sojourn in a foreign land.

Context and Background

The account unfolds during a severe famine that affected the entire region, including Canaan where Jacob and his family resided. Joseph, Jacob's son, had risen to a position of great power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, due to his God-given ability to interpret dreams and his wise administration during the years of plenty and famine (Genesis 41:39-41). Joseph's strategic planning saved Egypt and surrounding nations from starvation.

Jacob's Journey to Egypt

In response to the famine, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. After a series of events, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers and invited the entire family to settle in Egypt, where he could provide for them (Genesis 45:9-11). God reassured Jacob in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there" (Genesis 46:3).

Presentation to Pharaoh

Upon their arrival in Egypt, Joseph arranged for his family to settle in the land of Goshen, a fertile area suitable for their livestock. Joseph then brought his father Jacob to meet Pharaoh. Genesis 47:7-10 describes this encounter:

"Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 'How many years have you lived?' Pharaoh asked. Jacob replied, 'The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and hard, and they have not attained the years that my fathers lived during their pilgrimages.' And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from his presence" .

Significance of the Encounter

Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh is noteworthy, as it reflects the patriarch's recognition of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of divine promises. Despite his advanced age and the hardships he endured, Jacob's faith remained steadfast. His blessing upon Pharaoh can be seen as an acknowledgment of God's providence in using Egypt as a means to preserve the covenant family.

The meeting also underscores the theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The migration to Egypt was part of God's plan to transform Jacob's family into a great nation, as promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:2). This event set the stage for the eventual Exodus, where God would deliver His people from bondage and lead them to the Promised Land.

Life in Egypt

Following the presentation, Jacob's family settled in Goshen, where they prospered under Joseph's care. Genesis 47:11-12 states, "So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their children" .

This period in Egypt was marked by growth and prosperity for the Israelites, setting the foundation for their eventual multiplication into a populous nation. The sojourn in Egypt, while initially a refuge, would later become a place of oppression, leading to the dramatic events of the Exodus.

The account of Jacob's presentation to Pharaoh is a testament to God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through the history of Israel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 47:1-10
Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brothers, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Joseph and his Brethren
... in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all ... and all his seed brought
he with him into Egypt. ... his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Chapter xlvi
... the children of Israel had come to Egypt there were ... that were the prevailing clans
throughout Israel's early history. ... Here the difficulty is that Jacob is not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Chapter xlvii
... And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. And the days of Jacob, that
is the years of his life ... And the days of Israel came near to the point of death ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

The Call of Moses
... the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto ... I am strong.' Moses remembered
enough of Egypt to know ... to front Pharaoh, and enough of Israel not to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the call of moses.htm

Growth by Transplanting
... Nor would there have been in Egypt, unless under ... an important factor in the development
of Israel; and, once ... 5. The interview of Jacob with Pharaoh is pathetic ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/growth by transplanting.htm

Acts VII
... Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. ... doing wonders and signs in the
land of Egypt, and in ... Moses who said to the children of Israel, A prophet ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

Chapter l
... he promised by oath to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. ... imposed an oath upon the
children of Israel saying: When God ... him and put him in a mummy case in Egypt. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... that same place is named yet the bewailing of Egypt. The children of Israel did
as they were commanded, and ... Then when Jacob the father was buried, Joseph with ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

The Passover visit
... He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever." Luke 1 ... of His wonderful work in
their deliverance from Egypt. ... slain lamb sheltered the homes of Israel, so the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart ... words, "A sceptre rises out of
Israel" (Numbers 24 ... words, "Dominion shall come out of Jacob." The question ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm