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28 Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph so that Joseph could explain the way to Goshen. Then they arrived in the land of Goshen. 29 Joseph hitched up his chariot and went to meet his father Israel in Goshen. When he arrived, he threw his arms around his neck and wept, embracing him for a long time. 30 Israel said to Joseph, “I can die now after seeing your face. You are really still alive!”

Jacob’s household settles in Egypt

31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “Let me go up and inform Pharaoh and tell him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household who were in the land of Canaan have arrived. 32 The men are shepherds, because they own livestock. They’ve brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ 33 When Pharaoh summons you and says, ‘What do you do?’ 34 say, ‘Your servants have owned livestock since we were young, both we and our ancestors,’ so that you will be able to settle in the land of Goshen, since Egyptians think all shepherds are beneath their dignity.”

47 Joseph went to inform Pharaoh and said, “My father and brothers with their flocks, herds, and everything they own have come from the land of Canaan and are now in the land of Goshen.” From all of his brothers, he selected five men and presented them before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh said to Joseph’s brothers, “What do you do?”

They said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and our ancestors.” They continued, “We’ve come to the land as immigrants because the famine is so severe in the land of Canaan that there are no more pastures for your servants’ flocks. Please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since your father and brothers have arrived, the land of Egypt is available to you. Settle your father and brothers in the land’s best location. Let them live in the land of Goshen. And if you know capable men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.”

Joseph brought his father Jacob and gave him an audience with Pharaoh. Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?”

Jacob said to Pharaoh, “I’ve been a traveler for 130 years. My years have been few and difficult. They don’t come close to the years my ancestors lived during their travels.” 10 Jacob blessed Pharaoh and left Pharaoh’s presence. 11 Joseph settled his father and brothers and gave them property in the land of Egypt, in the best location in the land of Rameses, just as Pharaoh had ordered. 12 Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and his father’s entire household, in proportion to the number of children.

28 Now Jacob sent Judah(A) ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen.(B) When they arrived in the region of Goshen, 29 Joseph had his chariot(C) made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel.(D) As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father[a] and wept(E) for a long time.(F)

30 Israel(G) said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”(H)

31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan,(I) have come to me.(J) 32 The men are shepherds;(K) they tend livestock,(L) and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’(M) 33 When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’(N) 34 you should answer, ‘Your servants(O) have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’(P) Then you will be allowed to settle(Q) in the region of Goshen,(R) for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.(S)

47 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, “My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan(T) and are now in Goshen.”(U) He chose five of his brothers and presented them(V) before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”(W)

“Your servants(X) are shepherds,(Y)” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.” They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while,(Z) because the famine is severe in Canaan(AA) and your servants’ flocks have no pasture.(AB) So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.”(AC)

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, and the land of Egypt is before you; settle(AD) your father and your brothers in the best part of the land.(AE) Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability,(AF) put them in charge of my own livestock.(AG)

Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him(AH) before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed[b] Pharaoh,(AI) Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?”

And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty.(AJ) My years have been few and difficult,(AK) and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.(AL) 10 Then Jacob blessed[c] Pharaoh(AM) and went out from his presence.

11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land,(AN) the district of Rameses,(AO) as Pharaoh directed. 12 Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children.(AP)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 46:29 Hebrew around him
  2. Genesis 47:7 Or greeted
  3. Genesis 47:10 Or said farewell to