Genesis 47:10 Meaning Explained

Genesis 47:10

And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Jacob does here is more than just saying goodbye; he pronounces a blessing on Pharaoh. This isn't a casual farewell, but a spiritual act, recognizing God's hand in the situation and offering a prayer for the king's well-being, a testament to his deep faith even in a foreign land.

What Genesis 47:10 means

Having presented his father and family to Pharaoh, Jacob, in his role as patriarch, blesses the king before departing. This moment marks the formal settlement of Jacob's family in the fertile land of Goshen, establishing their unique place within Egypt just before the full severity of the famine takes hold.

Blessing Beyond a Mere Greeting

Jacob stands before Pharaoh, not just as a guest, but as a man of God. What does it mean for an ancient patriarch to 'bless' a king?

When Jacob blessed Pharaoh, it was far more than a polite social gesture or a simple 'thank you.' In this context, a blessing from a patriarch carried immense spiritual weight.

Prophetic Authority: As a patriarch and a recipient of God's promises, Jacob held a unique position. His words were not just wishes but carried the authority of divine favor and prophetic pronouncement. He invoked God's favor upon Pharaoh and the kingdom.
Gratitude and Recognition: It was an expression of profound gratitude for Pharaoh's kindness to Joseph and his entire family during a devastating famine. Jacob recognized that their safety and sustenance were gifts from God, channeled through Pharaoh's decree.
A Spiritual Witness: Even in a foreign land, before a powerful king, Jacob didn't hide his faith. His blessing served as a public acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness, a quiet witness to the King of kings.

The Pilgrim's Perspective on Earthly Power

Jacob has just revealed his age and described his life as a 'pilgrimage.' How does this perspective shape his interaction with the most powerful ruler in the land?

Jacob's response to Pharaoh's question about his age ('The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years') reveals a profound spiritual perspective that reorients his understanding of earthly power and status.

Citizenship Elsewhere: By calling his life a 'pilgrimage,' Jacob identified himself not as a permanent resident of Egypt but as a temporary traveler. His true home, his ultimate inheritance, was not of this world but a heavenly one, promised by God.
Transience of Earthly Rule: For Jacob, Pharaoh's power, while immense in Egypt, was temporal. His own 'kingdom' and 'inheritance' were eternal, secured by God's covenant. This perspective allowed him to approach Pharaoh with respect but without being intimidated or overly impressed by worldly authority.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the Iron Age I period, possibly between the 11th and 7th centuries BC, though traditionally dated much earlier.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses, though modern scholarship suggests compilation by various editors.
Location: Written from the land of Egypt, likely during the Israelites' sojourn there.
Genre: Narrative, characterized by genealogical accounts and historical storytelling.

Historical background

Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh is more than a polite farewell; it's a patriarch's prophetic acknowledgment of God's providence and a king's kindness, highlighting the spiritual significance even within a political arrangement.

c. 1800 BC
Joseph Rises to Power in Egypt
Joseph, sold into slavery years prior, rises to become a powerful official in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, due to his ability to interpret dreams and manage resources.
c. 1790 BC
Famine Grips Canaan and Egypt
A severe famine, prophesied by Joseph, devastates the land of Canaan and Egypt. This forces Jacob's sons to travel to Egypt to buy grain.
c. 1790 BC
Jacob's Family Settles in Goshen
Under Joseph's guidance and Pharaoh's permission, Jacob and his entire family settle in the fertile region of Goshen, a pastoral area suitable for their livestock.
c. 1777 BC— this verse
Jacob's Audience with Pharaoh
Jacob, now 130 years old, is presented to Pharaoh by Joseph. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, acknowledging God's favor and the king's generosity, before departing.

Key themes

01Patriarchal blessing and authority
02Jacob's identity as a sojourner
03Gratitude and respect shown
04Life as a pilgrimage

Cross-references

Hebrews 11:13

This passage directly connects Jacob's life to the concept of 'pilgrimage,' echoing his own description to Pharaoh and highlighting that these patriarchs saw themselves as temporary residents, looking for a heavenly home.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

Jacob's act of blessing Pharaoh aligns with the New Testament command to pray for rulers, showing that even in ancient times, showing respect and seeking God's favor for those in authority was a spiritual duty.

Jeremiah 29:7

The instruction to pray for the peace of Babylon in exile parallels Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh; both passages show that seeking the well-being of the land and its rulers is beneficial even for those who are sojourners.

Genesis 47:27-28

This passage describes Israel dwelling in Goshen and Jacob living out his days there, underscoring the significance of this settled period before Jacob's death and burial, fulfilling the promise of a place to stay.

Scholarly commentary

Genesis 47:1-31: "Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, 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."

Et dixerunt ad Pharaonem, Ut peregrinaremur in hac terra, venimus, quia non est pascuum pecudibus, quae sunt servis tuis: gravis enim fames est in terra Chenaan: nunc igitur habitent quaeso servi tui in terra Gosen.

5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy fat…
calvin

Genesis 47:10: "And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh."

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What Genesis 47:10 means

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the Iron Age I period, possibly between the 11th and 7th centuries BC, though traditionally dated much earlier.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses, though modern scholarship suggests compilation by various editors.
Location: Written from the land of Egypt, likely during the Israelites' sojourn there.
Genre: Narrative, characterized by genealogical accounts and historical storytelling.

Historical background

c. 1800 BC

Joseph Rises to Power in Egypt

Joseph, sold into slavery years prior, rises to become a powerful official in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, due to his ability to interpret dreams and manage resources.

c. 1790 BC

Famine Grips Canaan and Egypt

A severe famine, prophesied by Joseph, devastates the land of Canaan and Egypt. This forces Jacob's sons to travel to Egypt to buy grain.

c. 1790 BC

Jacob's Family Settles in Goshen

Under Joseph's guidance and Pharaoh's permission, Jacob and his entire family settle in the fertile region of Goshen, a pastoral area suitable for their livestock.

c. 1777 BC— this verse

Jacob's Audience with Pharaoh

Jacob, now 130 years old, is presented to Pharaoh by Joseph. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, acknowledging God's favor and the king's generosity, before departing.