Genesis 47:28

28 Jacob lived in Egypt 17 years, so he lived a total of 147 years.

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.


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 Joseph made a law concerning the land in Egypt which is still in force today: One-fifth [of the produce] belongs to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests didn't belong to Pharaoh.
27 So the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and had many children.
28 Jacob lived in Egypt 17 years, so he lived a total of 147 years.
29 Israel was about to die. He called for his son Joseph and said to him, "I want you to swear that you love me and are faithful to me. Please don't bury me here.
30 I want to rest with my ancestors. Take me out of Egypt, and bury me in their tomb." "I will do as you say," Joseph answered.
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