Jacob’s life honors God’s faithfulness to fulfill His word from one generation to the next.
When the scripture states that “Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years” (v.28), it reminds us of the final chapter of Jacob’s life and how God allowed him peace and security in Egypt. Egypt, situated in northeastern Africa along the fertile Nile River, was a place of refuge for Jacob and his family during a severe famine. God directed Jacob to settle in Egypt under the protection and care of his son Joseph, who had risen to a position of authority there (Genesis 45:9-11). This verse underscores the sustaining hand of the Lord, ensuring that Jacob not only survived but thrived in his final years.
Jacob, an important figure in the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and eventually the twelve tribes of Israel, was born around 2006 BC and passed away around 1859 BC. Embracing the patriarchal calling after inheriting the blessing from his father Isaac (Genesis 27:27-29), Jacob’s life was marked by both struggle and grace. The text points out that he lived a total of 147 years, showing that even after trials and years of separation from Joseph, Jacob was allowed time for restoration and the reuniting of his family before his departure from this world.
By recording that “Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years” (v.28), the scripture highlights that God’s promises to Jacob did not fail, despite periods of difficulty and uncertainty. Even in a foreign land, Jacob experienced both material and familial blessings. This verse also serves as a prelude to the blessings Jacob would soon impart to his descendants, and it sets the stage for the shaping of the Israelite nation in the generations to come.
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Genesis 47:28 meaning
When the scripture states that “Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years” (v.28), it reminds us of the final chapter of Jacob’s life and how God allowed him peace and security in Egypt. Egypt, situated in northeastern Africa along the fertile Nile River, was a place of refuge for Jacob and his family during a severe famine. God directed Jacob to settle in Egypt under the protection and care of his son Joseph, who had risen to a position of authority there (Genesis 45:9-11). This verse underscores the sustaining hand of the Lord, ensuring that Jacob not only survived but thrived in his final years.
Jacob, an important figure in the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and eventually the twelve tribes of Israel, was born around 2006 BC and passed away around 1859 BC. Embracing the patriarchal calling after inheriting the blessing from his father Isaac (Genesis 27:27-29), Jacob’s life was marked by both struggle and grace. The text points out that he lived a total of 147 years, showing that even after trials and years of separation from Joseph, Jacob was allowed time for restoration and the reuniting of his family before his departure from this world.
By recording that “Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years” (v.28), the scripture highlights that God’s promises to Jacob did not fail, despite periods of difficulty and uncertainty. Even in a foreign land, Jacob experienced both material and familial blessings. This verse also serves as a prelude to the blessings Jacob would soon impart to his descendants, and it sets the stage for the shaping of the Israelite nation in the generations to come.