Genesis 47:8

8 Then Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How many years have you lived?"^[a]

Genesis 47:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 47:8

And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, how old [art] thou?
] Or, "how many are the days of the years of thy life?" which way of speaking Jacob takes up, and very pertinently makes use of in his answer that follows: Dr. Lightfoot ^F13 thinks Pharaoh had never seen so old a man before, so grave a head, and so grey a beard, and in admiration asked this question.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Works, vol. 1. p. 667.

Genesis 47:8 In-Context

6 the land of Egypt is open before you; settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land. They can live in the land of Goshen. If you know of any capable men among them, put them in charge of my livestock."

7 Joseph then brought his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

8 Then Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How many years have you lived?"

9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, "My pilgrimage has lasted 130 years. My years have been few and hard, and they have not surpassed the years of my fathers during their pilgrimages."

10 So Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from Pharaoh's presence.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit many are the days of the years