Genesis 47:27

KJV

¶ And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 47:27 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's sojourn in Egypt, succinctly recording the flourishing of Jacob's family, now identified as "Israel," in the fertile region of Goshen. This verse highlights their secure settlement, the acquisition of substantial possessions, and, most significantly, their extraordinary demographic growth, transforming them from a nomadic clan into a numerous people. This divinely orchestrated expansion was a crucial step in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, laying the demographic groundwork for their future as a nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section of Genesis that began with Jacob's arrival in Egypt and his reunion with Joseph. Following Joseph's wise administration during the famine, Pharaoh has granted the Israelites the best of the land, Goshen, for their settlement. The preceding verses (Genesis 47:25-26) describe Joseph's land policy for the Egyptians, establishing a system where a fifth of the produce went to Pharaoh. Genesis 47:27 then shifts focus back to Israel, providing a summary statement of their initial experience in Egypt, contrasting their prosperity with the broader Egyptian populace's submission to Pharaoh. It serves as a bridge, setting the stage for the dramatic shift in the relationship between Israel and Egypt that will unfold in the book of Exodus, where their very growth becomes a threat to the new Pharaoh.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The famine described in Genesis was a widespread regional crisis, making Egypt, with its Nile-fed agriculture and Joseph's foresight, a unique haven. The land of Goshen, located in the eastern Nile Delta, was known for its rich pasturelands, making it ideal for the Israelite's pastoral economy. Its relative isolation from major Egyptian population centers and religious practices would have allowed the Israelites to maintain their distinct cultural and religious identity, preventing immediate assimilation. Pharaoh's grant of land was a common practice for loyal subjects or favored groups, and the Egyptians, generally wary of shepherds (Genesis 46:34), would have found it convenient to house the Israelites separately. This arrangement, while initially beneficial, inadvertently facilitated the Israelites' growth into a distinct, numerous people, a development that would later be viewed with suspicion by a subsequent, less benevolent Pharaoh.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 47:27 powerfully reiterates several overarching themes central to the book of Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores **God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises**. The "multiplying exceedingly" directly echoes the repeated divine promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would become a great nation and be innumerable (e.g., [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham"), [Genesis 17:6](/genesis/17-6 "God's Covenant with Abraham"), [Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God's Blessing to Jacob")). Secondly, it highlights **divine providence**, demonstrating God's active hand in preserving and blessing His chosen people even in a foreign land and amidst a severe famine. The prosperity and rapid growth in Goshen, despite their status as sojourners, show God's provision. Finally, this verse is crucial for the theme of **preparation for nationhood**. This period of exponential growth was essential for the formation of the Israelite nation, laying the demographic groundwork for the Exodus and the establishment of a covenant people, a process explicitly noted later in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel's Growth in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, meaning "to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry." Here, it signifies a secure and established residence, not merely a temporary encampment. The Israelites were not just passing through; they were settled, indicating stability and permanence in Goshen, granted by Pharaoh's decree and Joseph's arrangement.
* **had possessions (Hebrew, _ʼâchaz'_):** From H270, meaning "to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)." This word implies active acquisition and secure ownership of property, likely referring to their livestock, land rights, and other material wealth. It indicates not just survival but an increase in their economic standing and establishment within the land, signifying prosperity.
* **multiplied exceedingly (Hebrew, _râbâh'_ and _mᵉʼôd'_):** H7235 (_râbâh_) means "to increase (in whatever respect); to multiply." H3966 (_mᵉʼôd_) is an intensive adverb meaning "vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative)." The combination of these terms emphasizes an extraordinary, rapid, and divinely accelerated rate of population growth, far beyond natural expectations. This phrase directly echoes God's covenant promises of multiplication and underscores the supernatural nature of Israel's demographic explosion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen":** This clause establishes the secure and specific location of Jacob's family (now collectively referred to as "Israel") within Egypt. It highlights their transition from nomadic sojourners to a settled community, a direct result of Joseph's provision and Pharaoh's favor. Goshen, a fertile region, was ideal for their pastoral lifestyle and served as a distinct, somewhat isolated area within Egypt.
* **"and they had possessions therein":** This phrase indicates that the Israelites not only settled but also prospered economically. They acquired and held significant material wealth, likely in the form of livestock and other resources suitable for their livelihood. This detail underscores their flourishing condition and establishment, moving beyond mere subsistence to a state of growing prosperity.
* **"and grew, and multiplied exceedingly":** This culminating phrase is the theological heart of the verse. "Grew" (from _pârâh_, H6509, "to bear fruit") and "multiplied" (from _râbâh_, H7235, "to increase") are verbs often used in the context of divine blessing and covenant fulfillment. The intensifier "exceedingly" (from _mᵉʼôd_, H3966) emphasizes the extraordinary and rapid nature of their demographic expansion. This growth was not merely natural but divinely orchestrated, fulfilling God's promises to the patriarchs that their descendants would become numerous.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Repetition** and **Hyperbole** (or intensive language) to emphasize Israel's rapid growth. The pairing of "grew" (_pârâh_) and "multiplied" (_râbâh_) is a common biblical idiom for abundant increase, often associated with divine blessing, as seen in the creation mandate. The addition of the adverb "exceedingly" serves as an intensifier, pushing the description beyond mere growth to an extraordinary, almost miraculous proliferation, underscoring the divine hand at work. This emphasis on numerical expansion also functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the immense population that would later pose a perceived threat to Pharaoh in Exodus, leading to their enslavement, and ultimately, their miraculous deliverance. The contrast between their initial prosperity and future bondage creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the very blessing of God becomes the catalyst for future suffering and, paradoxically, for God's greater demonstration of power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 47:27 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the promise of numerous descendants. Despite being in a foreign land and a relatively small clan, their rapid multiplication in Goshen demonstrates God's active commitment to His word, showing that even in seemingly adverse or neutral environments, His sovereign plan continues to unfold. This period of growth was not accidental but divinely orchestrated, preparing a family for its destiny as a nation. It highlights God's ability to provide and prosper His people even when they are sojourners, setting the stage for the dramatic events of the Exodus where this numerous people would be delivered.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Command to Be Fruitful")
* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel's Multiplication in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 47:27 offers profound lessons for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Just as Israel flourished and multiplied in the land of Egypt, a place that would later become a crucible of their faith, we are reminded that God can cause us to grow and prosper spiritually, and sometimes even physically, in environments that may seem unlikely, challenging, or even hostile. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan and timing, recognizing that periods of quiet growth and preparation are often essential for His larger purposes to unfold. It teaches us patience and reliance on His provision, knowing that He is actively working behind the scenes, even when our circumstances appear ordinary or our progress seems slow. Our growth, like Israel's, is ultimately a testament to His power and commitment to His covenant with us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "multiplying exceedingly" in Goshen affirm your trust in God's faithfulness to His promises in your own life?**
* **In what "foreign lands" or challenging environments might God be calling you to "dwell" and "grow" for His purposes today?**
* **What does Israel's prosperity in Goshen teach us about God's provision even when we are not in our "promised land"?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow Israel to settle in Egypt, a place that would later become their bondage?**

Answer: God's sovereign plan often involves placing His people in challenging environments to achieve His purposes. Goshen provided a fertile, isolated region for Israel to grow unhindered into a numerous nation, fulfilling His promises to Abraham. This period of growth was necessary before the Exodus, which would then demonstrate God's power and deliver His people, shaping their identity as a distinct nation. It was a divinely orchestrated "womb" for the nation of Israel, where they could multiply rapidly, as seen in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel's Growth in Egypt"), before being forged through oppression and miraculous deliverance.

**How does the "multiplying exceedingly" relate to earlier divine commands?**

Answer: The phrase directly echoes God's initial command to humanity in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's command to be fruitful and multiply") to "be fruitful and multiply," and more specifically, His repeated covenant promises to Abraham ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's promise to Abraham")), Isaac, and Jacob ([Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God's blessing to Jacob")) that their descendants would become a great nation and be innumerable. Genesis 47:27 demonstrates God's faithfulness in actively fulfilling these promises, even amidst adverse conditions like famine, showcasing His commitment to His covenant.

**What was the significance of Goshen as their dwelling place?**

Answer: Goshen was a fertile pastureland, ideal for the Israelites' flocks and herds, ensuring their economic sustenance and prosperity. Its location, somewhat isolated from the main Egyptian population centers and religious practices, also allowed them to maintain their distinct cultural and religious identity, preventing assimilation with the Egyptians who viewed shepherds with disdain (cf. [Genesis 46:34](/genesis/46-34 "Egyptians' view of shepherds")). This strategic placement facilitated their rapid growth while preserving their unique heritage until the time of the Exodus, serving as a protected nursery for the nascent nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 47:27 describes the physical multiplication of the Abrahamic seed in preparation for the nation of Israel, it profoundly foreshadows a greater, spiritual fulfillment in Christ. Jesus, the ultimate "seed" of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed of Abraham is Christ")), is the one through whom God's promise of a numerous people is truly realized. Through faith in Him, people from "every nation, tribe, people and language" ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "The Multitude from Every Nation")) are spiritually adopted into the family of God, multiplying the spiritual descendants of Abraham far beyond any physical lineage. The growth of Israel in Goshen, divinely orchestrated and "exceedingly" abundant, thus serves as an Old Testament type for the exponential growth of the Church, the new Israel, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual multiplication, initiated at Pentecost (cf. [Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Three Thousand Added")), continues today as the gospel spreads to the ends of the earth, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to building His kingdom and fulfilling His promise to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham's greater Seed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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;