Genesis 47:28

28 And Jacob was living in the land of Goshen for seventeen years; so the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven.

Genesis 47:28 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 47:28

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years
He lived just the same term of years with Joseph in Egypt as he had lived with him in Syria and Canaan, ( Genesis 37:2 ) ; about two hours' walk from Fium are now to be seen the ruins of an ancient town, which the Coptics say was inhabited by the patriarch Jacob, and for this cause they name it, yet, Modsellet Jacub, or the tabernacle of Jacob ^F14, which place is supposed to be in the land of Goshen, see ( Genesis 47:11 ) ;

so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years;
he was one hundred and thirty when he stood before Pharaoh, ( Genesis 47:9 ) ; and now had lived in Egypt seventeen years, as in the above clause, which together make up the sum; and this exact time of the years of his life is given by Polyhistor from Demetrius, an Heathen writer ^F15.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Vansleb's Relation of a Voyage to Egypt, p. 167.
F15 Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 21. p. 425.

Genesis 47:28 In-Context

26 Then Joseph made a law which is in force to this day, that Pharaoh was to have the fifth part; only the land of the priests did not become his.

27 And so Israel was living among the Egyptians in the land of Goshen; and they got property there, and became very great in numbers and in wealth.

28 And Jacob was living in the land of Goshen for seventeen years; so the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven.

29 And the time of his death came near, and he sent for his son Joseph and said to him, If now I am dear to you, put your hand under my leg and take an oath that you will not put me to rest in Egypt;

30 But when I go to my fathers, you are to take me out of Egypt and put me to rest in their last resting-place. And he said, I will do so.