Genesis 47:27
Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Despite the famine, the text highlights that Israel didn't just survive; they actively "gained possessions." This means they weren't merely recipients of charity but established a foothold, acquiring property in Goshen, which set the stage for their subsequent growth and multiplication.
This verse concludes the account of Joseph's family settling in Egypt. Following a devastating famine that forced them to seek refuge, Jacob and his entire household, now referred to as "Israel," are given land in Goshen by Pharaoh. This chapter details how Joseph managed Egypt's resources during the famine, ultimately leading to the Egyptians selling their land and becoming Pharaoh's servants, while the priestly class was exempted. The Israelites, however, are granted land and begin to thrive there.
The story of Jacob's family in Egypt is often seen through the lens of hardship. But this verse reveals a surprising truth about their early settlement.
Genesis 47:27 tells us that Israel "settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen." Crucially, it adds that they "gained possessions therein." What does this mean? The scholars point out that they weren't necessarily owners of the land in the sense of absolute dominion – that belonged to Pharaoh. Instead, they acquired rights to use and profit from the land. This means they were given a place to farm, to graze their livestock, and to build their lives. It wasn't just a temporary refugee camp; it was a granted territory where they could establish themselves. This allowed them the stability needed for God's promises to begin unfolding.
Amidst a devastating famine that crippled Egypt, Jacob's family experienced remarkable growth. What's the secret to their thriving?
The verse doesn't just say they settled; it declares they 'grew, and multiplied exceedingly.' This isn't just a demographic observation; it's a sign of God's blessing. In a land suffering from famine, where others were losing everything, Jacob's household flourished. This multiplication was a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, 'I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you' (Genesis 12:2). This blessing provided the foundation for their future national identity and ensured the continuation of the covenant line. It underscores that even in challenging circumstances, God's people can experience His abundant provision and growth when they are in the place He has designated for them.
Understand the original words
Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun
A term used for the biological and covenantal descendants of the patriarch Jacob (Israel). It signifies the people chosen by God to bear His name and witness to the nations.
yashab · Hebrew Verb
To dwell, inhabit, or reside. In a theological sense, it often carries the weight of establishing one's place within a context provided by God, suggesting stability and belonging.
parah · Hebrew Verb
The divine blessing of productivity and growth, both physically and spiritually. It is the fulfillment of God’s mandate to His people to increase and expand under His providential care.
This verse marks the pivotal moment when the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob transition from being nomadic pastoralists in Canaan to becoming a settled, land-owning people in Egypt. It sets the stage for their remarkable growth and the subsequent challenges they would face.
c. 1800 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Jacob's son Joseph is betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt, marking the beginning of his journey that would eventually lead his family there.
c. 1770 BC
Joseph rises to power in Egypt
Through God's providence, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and becomes second-in-command in Egypt, tasked with managing the grain supply for an upcoming famine.
c. 1760 BC
Jacob's family migrates to Egypt
Joseph's family, facing severe famine in Canaan, relocates to Egypt at Joseph's invitation, settling in the region of Goshen.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Israel settles in Goshen
Jacob and his descendants establish themselves in the land of Goshen, a fertile area of Egypt, receiving royal favor and beginning to acquire property and grow.
This passage echoes the fruitfulness and multiplication described in Genesis 47:27, showing how God's promise to Israel to be fruitful and multiply began to be fulfilled even as they settled in Goshen.
Deuteronomy 11:10-12This passage highlights the fertile land of Egypt, specifically Goshen, contrasting it with the land of Canaan. It emphasizes that Israel's prosperity in Egypt was a unique blessing, provided by God for a specific purpose before they entered the Promised Land.
Psalm 105:23-24This Psalm directly references Israel's settlement and multiplication in Egypt, framing it as God's act of increasing His people and making them stronger than their oppressors, underscoring the divine orchestration behind their growth in Goshen.
Hebrews 11:9This verse speaks to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob living as foreigners in the promised land, highlighting their tent-dwelling and temporary status, which parallels Israel's situation in Goshen, a place of sojourn before their full inheritance.
calvinGenesis 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…
gillGenesis 47:27: "And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly."
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen,.... The historian returns to the account of the Israelites, having before observed the placing of them in Goshen by Joseph, at the direction of Pharaoh, in compliance with their own request; and here they continued until they were grown more numerous, when they were obliged to sp…
Despite the famine, the text highlights that Israel didn't just survive; they actively "gained possessions." This means they weren't merely recipients of charity but established a foothold, acquiring property in Goshen, which set the stage for their subsequent growth and multiplication.
This verse concludes the account of Joseph's family settling in Egypt. Following a devastating famine that forced them to seek refuge, Jacob and his entire household, now referred to as "Israel," are given land in Goshen by Pharaoh. This chapter details how Joseph managed Egypt's resources during the famine, ultimately leading to the Egyptians selling their land and becoming Pharaoh's servants, while the priestly class was exempted. The Israelites, however, are granted land and begin to thrive there.
This verse concludes the account of Joseph's family settling in Egypt. Following a devastating famine that forced them to seek refuge, Jacob and his entire household, now referred to as "Israel," are given land in Goshen by Pharaoh. This chapter details how Joseph managed Egypt's resources during the famine, ultimately leading to the Egyptians selling their land and becoming Pharaoh's servants, while the priestly class was exempted. The Israelites, however, are granted land and begin to thrive there.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Genesis 47:27 is available in the Sola app.
c. 1733 BC
Jacob blesses his sons and dies
Jacob, having lived 17 years in Egypt, blesses his sons and charges them to bury him in Canaan, reinforcing their identity as sojourners and people of promise.
c. 1715 BC
Joseph dies in Egypt
Joseph lives to see his descendants prosper and multiply, eventually dying in Egypt after charging his family to carry his bones with them when they leave.
"Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly." — Despite the famine, the text highlights that Israel didn't just survive; they actively "gained possessions." This means they weren't merely recipients of charity but established a foothold, acquiring…
