Genesis 47:28

28 Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, until he was a hundred and forty-seven years old.

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 So Joseph made it a law for the land of Egypt that one-fifth of the harvest should belong to the king. This law still remains in force today. Only the lands of the priests did not become the king's property.
27 The Israelites lived in Egypt in the region of Goshen, where they became rich and had many children.
28 Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, until he was a hundred and forty-seven years old.
29 When the time drew near for him to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "Place your hand between my thighs and make a solemn vow that you will not bury me in Egypt.
30 I want to be buried where my fathers are; carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." Joseph answered, "I will do as you say."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.