Summary of Genesis 47 KJV
Genesis 47 KJV recounts a critical moment in biblical history. Joseph presents five of his brothers and his father Jacob to Pharaoh. Pharaoh receives them favorably and grants them land in Goshen—the most fertile part of Egypt. Jacob, though a foreigner and old man, blesses Pharaoh twice. As the famine continues, Joseph organizes grain distribution in exchange for money, then livestock, and eventually land. Egyptians ultimately sell themselves to Pharaoh and become his tenants, agreeing to give one-fifth of all future produce to the crown. Meanwhile, the children of Israel prosper in Goshen and multiply. The chapter ends with Jacob requesting that Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan, reaffirming his faith in God’s promise.
You can read the full Genesis 47 KJV text here, and explore our Genesis summary page for more chapter-by-chapter commentary.
1. Joseph in Egypt Establishes Pharaoh’s Power Through Crisis
Joseph’s wisdom sustains Egypt during severe famine, but it also transforms Pharaoh into a powerful landowner. When the people’s money runs out, they offer livestock. When that too is exhausted, they trade land and even their own freedom to receive grain. By the end of the chapter, nearly all Egyptians are working Pharaoh’s land and giving him 20% of their crops (Genesis 47:20–26). Joseph in Egypt essentially creates a national taxation and tenancy system—one that preserved life but also centralized power. This moment marks the beginning of Egyptian dominance over the common people, including foreigners dwelling in the land.
2. How Genesis 47 KJV Sets the Stage for Enslavement and Priesthood
This chapter quietly plants the seeds of Israel’s future enslavement. Though they are well-treated during Joseph’s lifetime, the structure of Egyptian power has now shifted. By Genesis 47’s end, Pharaoh owns the land, receives a portion of all production, and has total economic control. A new Pharaoh will later exploit this system to enslave the Hebrews (Exodus 1:8–11). Thus, what began as salvation through Joseph becomes bondage in a new generation.
But Genesis 47 also introduces a spiritual-economic principle that echoes through the Torah: the priests owned no land. In verse 22, we learn that Egyptian priests retained their land because Pharaoh provided for them directly. This is remarkably similar to the system outlined in Leviticus 25:32–34 and Deuteronomy 10:9, where the Levites also received no inheritance of land, but were sustained by offerings and provisions from the people and God.
This is no coincidence—Genesis 47 is the prototype of how religious leaders are set apart, supported by provision rather than property, so they can serve full-time in spiritual matters.
3. Joseph Protects Israel but Places Them Apart
When Joseph settles his family in Goshen, it serves dual purposes: they are given the best land and also kept separate from Egyptian society. This isolation is protective—they can grow in number without cultural compromise—but it also sets them apart in a way that later fuels suspicion and leads to oppression. Joseph in Egypt made the wisest decision under God’s guidance, but the separation eventually becomes a key factor in Israel’s enslavement under a future Pharaoh.
4. Jacob Blesses Pharaoh: Spiritual Authority in a Foreign Empire
Jacob, though old and displaced, blesses Pharaoh—not once, but twice (Genesis 47:7, 10). This act is more than politeness; it signifies that spiritual authority does not depend on political power. Hebrews 7:7 tells us, “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.” Even in Egypt, the covenant promise carried by Jacob takes precedence. This moment reminds us that kings may rule nations, but God’s people carry eternal authority.
5. Jacob’s Burial Request Anchors Him in the Promise
Though Egypt has become home, Jacob does not want to be buried there. He makes Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan, in the family tomb. His physical body may be in Egypt temporarily, but his hope remains rooted in God’s covenant. Just like Abraham and Isaac before him, Jacob looks beyond the land of comfort to the land of promise. His request is not merely personal—it’s prophetic. It says to his children: This is not our final home. God has something greater in store.
Epilogue: From Egypt to Eternity—What Genesis 47 KJV Means for Us Today
What began as a family reunion ends as a foundational moment in Israel’s journey. Joseph in Egypt represents the rare man who walks in both spiritual humility and administrative power. He saves lives, governs fairly, and honors his father. Yet the very system he builds becomes the groundwork for Israel’s future bondage. It’s a sobering reminder: even godly leadership cannot replace the need for ongoing obedience to God.
The priests’ lack of land is a glimpse into a spiritual principle seen in the apostles and in Christ Himself: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). True servants of God often forgo earthly possessions in exchange for heavenly provision. The Levites would later follow this model—not receiving land so they could focus entirely on the things of God (Deuteronomy 18:1-2).
And Jacob’s faith in burial speaks volumes. He may have died in Egypt, but he made sure his bones would rest in the Promised Land. That’s not just tradition—it’s theology. He believed in resurrection and in the fulfillment of God’s promises beyond the grave. Like the heroes listed in Hebrews 11, Jacob died “not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off… and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Final Thought: Let Pharaoh Feed You, But Let God Lead You
Genesis 47 KJV teaches that there are times we must receive provision from secular systems—but we must never forget who we truly belong to. Let Pharaoh feed you during the famine, but let God lead you to the Promised Land. Joseph in Egypt was faithful with power, and Jacob was faithful in death. May we do the same—serve wisely and die clinging to the promises of God.
For more articles like this one, continue your study through our full Genesis summary series.