King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Isra'el lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. They acquired possessions in it and were productive, and their numbers multiplied greatly.
Berean Standard Bible:
Now the Israelites settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and became fruitful and increased greatly in number.
American Standard Version:
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they gat them possessions therein, and were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Israel{H3478} dwelt{H3427} in the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}, in the country{H776} of Goshen{H1657}; and they had possessions{H270} therein, and grew{H6509}, and multiplied{H7235} exceedingly{H3966}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 46:3
- And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Exodus 1:7
- And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
Acts 7:17
- ¶ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Psalms 107:38
- He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
Deuteronomy 26:5
- And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
Zechariah 10:8
- I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
Genesis 26:4
- And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 47:27
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Fulfillment:** The verse reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would sojourn in a foreign land but would eventually grow into a great nation (Genesis 15:13-14).
2. **Preservation and Growth:** Despite being in a foreign land, the Israelites not only survive but thrive, acquiring possessions and increasing in number, which underscores God's protection and provision for His people.
3. **Segregation for Preservation:** The Israelites' settlement in Goshen, a region of Egypt, indicates a level of segregation that allows them to maintain their identity and avoid assimilation into Egyptian culture.
**Historical Context:**
Genesis 47:27 is set during the period when Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, has risen to a position of power in Egypt. After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph becomes the second-in-command and is responsible for preparing Egypt for an impending famine. His administrative skills lead to the storage of grain, which not only saves Egypt but also brings his family, the Israelites, to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan.
Pharaoh welcomes Jacob (Israel) and his family to Goshen, a fertile area suitable for shepherding, which is the occupation of the Israelites. The settlement in Goshen is strategic, as it allows the Israelites to live in proximity to Joseph, their provider and protector, while also keeping them separate from the Egyptians. This separation is crucial for the preservation of their distinct identity as a people and sets the stage for the eventual Exodus, where their growth in number becomes a central element of the narrative.
The verse is part of the larger story of the Patriarchs and the foundational history of the Israelite nation, which will later become enslaved in Egypt before being led to freedom by Moses. The growth of the Israelites in Egypt, as mentioned in this verse, directly leads to the circumstances that necessitate their deliverance in the book of Exodus.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. - Strong's Number: H1657
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֹּשֶׁן
Transliteration: Gôshen
Pronunciation: go'-shen
Description: probably of Egyptian origin; Goshen, the residence of the Israelites in Egypt; also a place in Palestine; Goshen. - Strong's Number: H270
There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָחַז
Transliteration: ʼâchaz
Pronunciation: aw-khaz'
Description: a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession); [phrase] be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay, take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get, have or take) possess(-ion). - Strong's Number: H6509
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרָה
Transliteration: pârâh
Pronunciation: paw-raw'
Description: a primitive root; to bear fruit (literally or figuratively); bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be, make) fruitful, grow, increase. - Strong's Number: H7235
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבָה
Transliteration: râbâh
Pronunciation: raw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. - Strong's Number: H3966
There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְאֹד
Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
Pronunciation: meh-ode'
Description: from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well.