This passage emphasizes God’s providential care over His people in times of crisis.
“They said to Pharaoh, ‘We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.’” (v.4) This verse records the appeal made by Joseph’s brothers to Pharaoh so that they might escape the devastating effects of famine in their homeland. Here, Pharaoh is the powerful ruler of Egypt, likely during the Middle Kingdom period of Egyptian history (approximately 2000-1700 BC). In approaching Pharaoh, Joseph’s brothers show respect and humility, describing themselves as his “servants,” a term demonstrating both politeness and dependence upon his royal authority. Their request highlights the exigency of their circumstances: the famine in Canaan is so severe that providing pasture for their livestock has become impossible.
“…for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan.” (v.4) This statement points to the region traditionally known as Canaan, roughly encompassing territory that includes present-day Israel, western Jordan, and parts of surrounding lands. Canaan was where Jacob and his family had been living, likely around 1876 BC or so, after Jacob himself had inherited the promise to dwell there (see Gen. 35:12). But circumstances of severe famine forced God’s chosen family to look for relief elsewhere. This geographic displacement sets the stage for the unfolding plan by which they come under divine protection. By traveling to Egypt, they follow in the footsteps of their ancestor Abraham, who also sought refuge in Egypt during a famine (see Gen. 12:10), hinting at a recurring motif of God’s provision through unexpected means.
“…please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.” (v.4) Goshen, located in the fertile Nile Delta region of Egypt, provided an ideal habitat for grazing flocks. Residing there would allow Joseph’s brothers and their families to endure the famine under Pharaoh’s protective hand. Although their request appears humble, it also signals God’s guiding hand in moving His covenant people to a secure location. Centuries later, Goshen would become the cradle from which the nation of Israel emerged (see Exod. 1:7). In this moment, Joseph’s brothers acknowledged their desperate need and accepted Egypt’s grace, threading together the larger narrative of redemptive history that would eventually culminate in the work of Jesus Christ (see Matt. 2:13-15).
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Genesis 47:4 meaning
“They said to Pharaoh, ‘We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.’” (v.4) This verse records the appeal made by Joseph’s brothers to Pharaoh so that they might escape the devastating effects of famine in their homeland. Here, Pharaoh is the powerful ruler of Egypt, likely during the Middle Kingdom period of Egyptian history (approximately 2000-1700 BC). In approaching Pharaoh, Joseph’s brothers show respect and humility, describing themselves as his “servants,” a term demonstrating both politeness and dependence upon his royal authority. Their request highlights the exigency of their circumstances: the famine in Canaan is so severe that providing pasture for their livestock has become impossible.
“…for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan.” (v.4) This statement points to the region traditionally known as Canaan, roughly encompassing territory that includes present-day Israel, western Jordan, and parts of surrounding lands. Canaan was where Jacob and his family had been living, likely around 1876 BC or so, after Jacob himself had inherited the promise to dwell there (see Gen. 35:12). But circumstances of severe famine forced God’s chosen family to look for relief elsewhere. This geographic displacement sets the stage for the unfolding plan by which they come under divine protection. By traveling to Egypt, they follow in the footsteps of their ancestor Abraham, who also sought refuge in Egypt during a famine (see Gen. 12:10), hinting at a recurring motif of God’s provision through unexpected means.
“…please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.” (v.4) Goshen, located in the fertile Nile Delta region of Egypt, provided an ideal habitat for grazing flocks. Residing there would allow Joseph’s brothers and their families to endure the famine under Pharaoh’s protective hand. Although their request appears humble, it also signals God’s guiding hand in moving His covenant people to a secure location. Centuries later, Goshen would become the cradle from which the nation of Israel emerged (see Exod. 1:7). In this moment, Joseph’s brothers acknowledged their desperate need and accepted Egypt’s grace, threading together the larger narrative of redemptive history that would eventually culminate in the work of Jesus Christ (see Matt. 2:13-15).