King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine [is] sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
Complete Jewish Bible:
and added, "We have come to live in the land, because in the land of Kena'an there is no place to pasture your servant's flocks, the famine is so severe there. Therefore, please, let your servants live in the land of Goshen."
Berean Standard Bible:
Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”
American Standard Version:
And they said unto Pharaoh, To sojourn in the land are we come; for there is no pasture for thy servants’ flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
They said{H559} moreover unto Pharaoh{H6547}, For to sojourn{H1481} in the land{H776} are we come{H935}; for thy servants{H5650} have no pasture{H4829} for their flocks{H6629}; for the famine{H7458} is sore{H3515} in the land{H776} of Canaan{H3667}: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants{H5650} dwell{H3427} in the land{H776} of Goshen{H1657}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 46:34
- That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, [and] also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Genesis 15:13
- And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
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:
Genesis 43:1
- ¶ And the famine [was] sore in the land.
Acts 7:11
- Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
Psalms 105:23
- Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
Acts 7:6
- And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat [them] evil four hundred years.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 47:4
Genesis 47:4 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Patriarchs within the historical context of the ancient Near East. This verse is part of the account where Joseph's brothers have come to Egypt during a severe famine, which is also affecting their homeland, the land of Canaan. In this verse, the brothers are speaking to Pharaoh, explaining the dire circumstances that have driven them to seek refuge in Egypt.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Migration and Refuge**: The brothers express their need to sojourn in Egypt due to the severe famine in Canaan, highlighting the ancient and ongoing human experience of seeking refuge and sustenance in times of environmental or economic crisis.
2. **Agricultural Hardship**: The mention of famine and the lack of pasture for their flocks underscores the agrarian challenges of the time, where communities were highly dependent on the land for their survival and the prosperity of their livestock.
3. **Supplication and Diplomacy**: The brothers' appeal to Pharaoh is an act of supplication, demonstrating the diplomatic interactions that would occur between rulers and foreigners. Their respectful request to dwell in Goshen reflects the political etiquette of the era.
4. **Divine Providence**: From a broader narrative perspective, this verse is part of a larger story of divine providence. Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, has risen to a position of power in Egypt and is instrumental in providing for his family during the famine, which aligns with the earlier prophetic dreams he had as a young man.
5. **Land and Settlement**: The specific request to settle in Goshen indicates the significance of land allocation in ancient societies. Goshen, a fertile region in Egypt, would have been suitable for pasturing flocks, and this request sets the stage for the Israelites' settlement in Egypt, which will eventually lead to their enslavement as their presence grows.
In summary, Genesis 47:4 encapsulates the themes of migration due to environmental crises, the importance of agricultural sustainability, the protocols of ancient diplomacy, and the unfolding of a larger narrative of divine guidance and family redemption. It also foreshadows the significant historical event of the Israelites' sojourn and subsequent enslavement in Egypt, which will become a central aspect of their national identity.
*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: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H6547
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
Transliteration: Parʻôh
Pronunciation: par-o'
Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh. - Strong's Number: H1481
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוּר
Transliteration: gûwr
Pronunciation: goor
Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. - 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: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H4829
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִרְעֶה
Transliteration: mirʻeh
Pronunciation: meer-eh'
Description: from רָעָה in the sense of feeding; pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals; feeding place, pasture. - Strong's Number: H6629
There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹאן
Transliteration: tsôʼn
Pronunciation: tsone
Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). - Strong's Number: H7458
There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעָב
Transliteration: râʻâb
Pronunciation: raw-awb'
Description: from רָעֵב; hunger (more or less extensive); dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. - Strong's Number: H3515
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּבֵד
Transliteration: kâbêd
Pronunciation: kaw-bade'
Description: from כָּבַד; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid); (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick. - Strong's Number: H3667
There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּנַעַן
Transliteration: Kᵉnaʻan
Pronunciation: ken-ah'-an
Description: from כָּנַע; humiliated; Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him; Canaan, merchant, traffick. - 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: 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.