Genesis 47:27-28
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The verse highlights that Israel "gained possessions" in Goshen. This isn't just about acquiring property; it signifies God establishing them with a foothold, a sense of belonging and stability in a foreign land, laying the groundwork for their future multiplication.
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. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Joseph has skillfully managed Egypt through a devastating famine, securing the land and people for Pharaoh, his family, the Israelites, is now settled in the fertile region of Goshen. This verse marks the culmination of their move and establishes them as a distinct group with their own land, setting the stage for their remarkable growth and prosperity.
After years of wandering and famine, the family of Israel finally finds a place to call home. But what kind of 'possession' did they have in Goshen?
Genesis 47:27 marks a pivotal moment: Israel, as a people, 'settled' in the land of Egypt, specifically in the region of Goshen. The verse states they 'gained possessions' there.
This 'possession' wasn't ownership in the modern sense. The surrounding commentary suggests their holdings were more akin to tenancy or use-rights granted by Pharaoh. Joseph had secured for them a place to live and sustain themselves, separate from the Egyptians. This distinct territory, Goshen, became their base. It was here, in this settled environment, that the stage was set for their incredible growth and multiplication. It wasn't just land; it was a secure place where God's promise of becoming a great nation could begin to unfold.
The Israelites didn't just settle; they 'grew' and 'multiplied exceedingly.' What does this explosive growth reveal about God's faithfulness?
The second part of Genesis 47:27 describes the miraculous increase of Israel: 'they grew, and multiplied exceedingly.' This wasn't mere natural growth; it was a divine blessing, a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the sky.
Despite being in a foreign land, under foreign rule, and historically viewed with disdain by their hosts (as shepherds), their prosperity defied the circumstances. This multiplication happened in Goshen, a place set apart, suggesting God's protective hand and deliberate blessing. It demonstrates that God's covenant faithfulness can flourish even in unexpected and challenging environments, providing the foundation for His people to become the nation He intended.
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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 beginning of the Israelites' long sojourn in Egypt, a period that would eventually lead to their enslavement but initially offered them refuge, prosperity, and a distinct homeland in Goshen.
c. 1729-1711 BC
Joseph arrives in Egypt
Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually rises to power as vizier of Egypt.
c. 1711-1700 BC
Severe famine strikes Canaan
A devastating famine grips the land, forcing Jacob and his family to seek sustenance in Egypt.
c. 1700 BC— this verse
Jacob's family settles in Goshen
Joseph's father, Jacob (Israel), and his entire household relocate to Egypt, settling in the land of Goshen as granted by Pharaoh.
c. 1700 BC
Egyptians sell lands and themselves to Pharaoh
During the famine, the Egyptians, guided by Joseph, sell their lands and eventually themselves into servitude to Pharaoh in exchange for food.
c. 1683 BC
Jacob's death
Jacob blesses his descendants and makes arrangements for his burial in Canaan, reinforcing his family's identity and hope.
c. 1638 BC
Joseph's death
Joseph dies after seeing his descendants multiply and prosper in Egypt, leaving instructions for his bones to be carried out of Egypt.
This passage echoes the idea of God's promise of fruitfulness and expansion in a new land, similar to how Israel multiplied in Goshen.
Exodus 1:7This verse directly follows the period described in Genesis 47, highlighting the immense multiplication and strength Israel gained while in Goshen.
Psalm 105:24This Psalm recounts God's action in making His people 'exceedingly fruitful' and 'more numerous than their foes' while in Egypt, directly referencing the fulfillment of the promise seen in Genesis.
Acts 7:17Stephen's speech in Acts references the growth and multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt, connecting it to God's promise and the fulfillment seen in this verse.
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…
The verse highlights that Israel "gained possessions" in Goshen. This isn't just about acquiring property; it signifies God establishing them with a foothold, a sense of belonging and stability in a foreign land, laying the groundwork for their future multiplication.
After Joseph has skillfully managed Egypt through a devastating famine, securing the land and people for Pharaoh, his family, the Israelites, is now settled in the fertile region of Goshen. This verse marks the culmination of their move and establishes them as a distinct group with their own land, setting the stage for their remarkable growth and prosperity.
After Joseph has skillfully managed Egypt through a devastating famine, securing the land and people for Pharaoh, his family, the Israelites, is now settled in the fertile region of Goshen. This verse marks the culmination of their move and establishes them as a distinct group with their own land, setting the stage for their remarkable growth and prosperity.
"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. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life…" — The verse highlights that Israel "gained possessions" in Goshen. This isn't just about acquiring property; it signifies God establishing them with a foothold, a sense of belonging and stability in a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
