Genesis 47:28

28 And he lived therein sixteen years (And he lived there seventeen years); and all the days of his life were made an hundred and seven and forty 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.

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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 From that time till to this present day, in all the land of Egypt, the fifth part is paid to the kings, and it is made as into a law, without the land of priests, that was free from this condition. (And so from that time unto this present day, in all the land of Egypt, the fifth part of the harvest is paid to the king, for this was made a law, from all except the priests, whose land did not become Pharaoh's property.)

27 Therefore Israel dwelled in Egypt, that is, in the land of Goshen, and wielded it; and he was increased, and multiplied full much. (And so Jacob and his family lived in Egypt, that is, in the land of Goshen, and acquired land; and they increased, and were greatly multiplied.)

28 And he lived therein sixteen years (And he lived there seventeen years); and all the days of his life were made an hundred and seven and forty years.

29 And when he saw the day of his death [to] nigh, he called his son Joseph (to his bed), and said to him, If I have found grace in thy sight, put thine hand under mine hip, and (swear that) thou shalt do mercy and truth to me, that thou bury not me in Egypt (that thou shalt not bury me here in Egypt);

30 but I shall sleep with my fathers, and take thou away me from this land (but when I shall sleep with my fathers, thou shalt take me away from this land), and bury me in the sepulchre of my greater(s). To whom Joseph answered, I shall do that that thou commandest.