Genesis 47

1 After this, Joseph went to inform Pharaoh. “My father and brothers have come here from Canaan,” ^{a47:1 Lit. from the land of Canaan, and so throughout the chapter} he said, “and they’ve come with their flocks, herds, and everything else they have. I settled them in the Goshen territory!”ISV — Genesis 47:1

2 He brought along five of his brothers to present before Pharaoh.ISV — Genesis 47:2

3 Pharaoh asked his brothers, “What are your occupations?” “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our ancestors.ISV — Genesis 47:3

4 We’ve come to live for a while ^{b47:4 The Heb. lacks for a while} in this region, since there is no pasture back in Canaan ^{c47:4 The Heb. lacks back in Canaan} for your servants’ flocks. May your servants please live in the Goshen territory?”ISV — Genesis 47:4

5 Then Pharaoh replied to Joseph, “Now that your father and your brothers have come to you,ISV — Genesis 47:5

6 Egypt ^{d47:6 Lit. from the land of Egypt, and so throughout the chapter} is at your disposal, ^{e47:6 Lit. is before you} so settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land! Let them live in the Goshen territory. If you learn that any of them are especially skilled, put them in charge of my livestock.”ISV — Genesis 47:6

7 Later, Joseph brought his father Jacob to Pharaoh and introduced him. Jacob blessed Pharaoh.ISV — Genesis 47:7

8 “How old are you?” ^{f47:8 Lit. How many years have you lived?} Pharaoh asked Jacob.ISV — Genesis 47:8

9 “I’m 130 years old,” Jacob replied. “My years have turned out to be few and unpleasant, but I haven’t yet reached the age my ancestors did during their travels on earth.” ^{g47:9 The Heb. lacks on earth}ISV — Genesis 47:9

10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and then left the throne room. ^{h47:10 Lit. left his presence}ISV — Genesis 47:10

11 Joseph settled his father and brothers, assigning them their own land in the best part of Egypt (in the territory of Rameses), just as Pharaoh had ordered.ISV — Genesis 47:11

12 Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household, proportionate to the number of young children.ISV — Genesis 47:12

13 Meanwhile, there continued to be no food throughout the land, because the famine remained very severe. As a result, both Egypt and Canaan languished under the effects of the famine.ISV — Genesis 47:13

14 So Joseph kept on accumulating all the money that was to be found throughout Egypt and Canaan in exchange for the grain that was being purchased. He stored the money in Pharaoh’s palace.ISV — Genesis 47:14

15 After all the money had been spent throughout Egypt and Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and demanded, “Give us food! Why should we die right in front of you? Our money is spent!”ISV — Genesis 47:15

16 “You can surrender your livestock,” Joseph replied. “I’ll feed them in exchange, since your money is gone.”ISV — Genesis 47:16

17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph traded food in exchange for horses, various flocks and herds, and donkeys. He fed them with food in exchange for their livestock during that year.ISV — Genesis 47:17

18 The following year, they came to him and reminded him, “We won’t hide from you, your Excellency, that we’ve spent all of our money, and that our livestock all belong to you. There’s nothing left to trade with you, your Excellency, except our bodies and our territories.ISV — Genesis 47:18

19 So why should we and our land die right in front of you? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed, so we can survive and not die, and so the land won’t stay desolate.”ISV — Genesis 47:19

20 So Joseph purchased all of the Egyptian territory for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine’s effect was so severe. That’s how Pharaoh came to own the land.ISV — Genesis 47:20

21 Then Joseph transported the people to cities from one end of Egypt to the other.ISV — Genesis 47:21

22 However, he did not purchase land belonging to the priests, because the priests held an allotment, previously provided to them by Pharaoh, from which they lived. That’s why they did not sell their land.ISV — Genesis 47:22

23 After this, Joseph addressed the people. “Pay attention,” he said. “I’ve bought you and your land for Pharaoh today, in exchange for seed for you. Now go sow the land.ISV — Genesis 47:23

24 When harvest season arrives, you are to provide a fifth of the harvest to Pharaoh. The remaining four fifths are to be for your use, for seed, and to feed you, your households, and your little ones.”ISV — Genesis 47:24

25 “You’ve saved our lives,” they replied. “If it pleases you, your Excellency, we’ll be Pharaoh’s slaves.”ISV — Genesis 47:25

26 So Joseph crafted a statute concerning Egypt that remains valid to this day that Pharaoh should own a fifth of the produce, excluding the land belonging to the priests, which remained outside of Pharaoh’s control.ISV — Genesis 47:26

27 Israel remained in Egypt’s Goshen territory, acquired land there, became prosperous, and his descendants ^{i47:27 The Heb. lacks his descendants} grew very numerous.ISV — Genesis 47:27

28 He lived for seventeen more years in Egypt, until he was 147 years old.ISV — Genesis 47:28

29 As the time approached for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and addressed him. “Please,” he asked, “if you’re happy with me, make a solemn promise ^{j47:29 Lit. me, place your hand under my thigh; i.e., make a solemn promise based on the sanctity of the family and commitment to the family line} that you’ll treat me fairly and kindly by not burying me in Egypt.ISV — Genesis 47:29

30 Instead, when I’ve died, as my ancestors have, you are to carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their tomb.” ^{k47:30 Lit. place} “I’ll do what you’ve asked,” Joseph ^{l47:30 Lit. he} replied.ISV — Genesis 47:30

31 “Promise me,” Israel ^{m47:31 Lit. he} insisted. So Joseph promised. Then Israel collapsed ^{n47:31 Lit. Israel bent low} on his bed.ISV — Genesis 47:31