
Jacob Settles in Goshen
Jacob and his entire household relocated from Canaan to Egypt where they were granted the land of Goshen by Pharaoh and settled there to survive a period of severe famine.
- Genesis 46-47
- Goshen
- 3 named participants
What the passage records
Genesis 46-47Jacob departed from Beersheba with his offspring, livestock, and goods acquired in Canaan to travel to Egypt. At Beersheba, he offered sacrifices, and God spoke to him in visions of the night, promising to make him a great nation in Egypt and to bring him up again (Genesis 46:1-4). The total number of Jacob's descendants who came into Egypt, not including the wives of his sons, was sixty-six. Joseph prepared his chariot and went to Goshen to meet his father, where he wept on his neck for a good while (Genesis 46:26-29).
Joseph instructed his brothers to inform Pharaoh that they were keepers of livestock, as shepherds were considered an abomination to the Egyptians. Joseph then presented five of his brothers to Pharaoh. When Pharaoh asked about their occupation, they requested to dwell in the land of Goshen because the famine was sore in the land of Canaan (Genesis 47:1-4). Pharaoh granted this request, stating that the land of Egypt was before them and that Jacob's family should dwell in the best of the land. He also told Joseph that if any of his brothers possessed special ability, they should be made rulers over Pharaoh's cattle.
Joseph brought Jacob before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed the ruler. Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, to which Jacob replied that the days of the years of his pilgrimage were one hundred and thirty years. He described his days as few and evil, noting they had not attained to the years of his fathers (Genesis 47:7-9). Jacob blessed Pharaoh again and departed. Joseph settled his father and his brothers in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded, and provided them with bread according to the size of their families.
Outcome
Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen, where they acquired possessions, grew, and multiplied exceedingly (Genesis 47:27).
Who was there
3 of 3 named participants have a profile in the archive.