Genesis 47:5

KJV

And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Pharaoh {H6547} spake {H559} unto Joseph {H3130}, saying {H559}, Thy father {H1} and thy brethren {H251} are come {H935} unto thee:

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Your father and brothers have come to you,

Berean Standard Bible

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to you,

American Standard Version

And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 47:5 records Pharaoh's direct and official acknowledgment to Joseph regarding the arrival of his father and brothers in Egypt. This concise yet profoundly significant declaration serves as the immediate prelude to the formal presentation of Jacob and his family to the Egyptian monarch, thereby setting the stage for their designated settlement in the fertile land of Goshen and initiating a crucial phase in God's unfolding redemptive plan for the nascent nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at a pivotal moment in the Joseph narrative, marking the culmination of a long and dramatic series of events that began with Joseph's betrayal by his brothers and his subsequent enslavement. Following Joseph's miraculous rise to power as vizier of Egypt and his revelation to his brothers, he had sent for his aged father, Jacob, and the entire family to come to Egypt to escape the severe famine gripping the land. [Genesis 46](/genesis/46 "Genesis 46 - Jacob's Journey to Egypt") details Jacob's journey to Egypt with his large household. Upon their arrival, Joseph went out to meet them in Goshen ([Genesis 46:29](/genesis/46-29 "Joseph Meets His Father Jacob")), and this verse, [Genesis 47:5](/genesis/47-5 "Genesis 47:5 - Pharaoh's Acknowledgment"), immediately precedes Joseph's instruction to his brothers on how to present themselves to Pharaoh ([Genesis 47:1-4](/genesis/47-1-4 "Joseph Prepares His Brothers for Pharaoh")), underscoring the official nature of their reception and the transition from private reunion to public establishment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a highly structured society ruled by a powerful pharaoh, considered a divine or semi-divine figure. His word was law, and his favor was paramount. The arrival of a large, foreign family, even under the patronage of a high-ranking official like Joseph, would typically require formal approval. The land of Goshen, located in the eastern Nile Delta, was renowned for its rich pasturage, making it ideal for the pastoral lifestyle of Jacob's family. Pharaoh's direct involvement in acknowledging their arrival highlights Joseph's extraordinary standing and the immense gratitude Pharaoh felt towards Joseph for saving Egypt from the famine. This act of royal welcome was a significant cultural gesture, ensuring the family's security and legitimizing their presence within Egyptian territory.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 47:5 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God meticulously orchestrates events, even through human sin and suffering, to bring about His ultimate purposes. Joseph's journey from pit to palace, culminating in his family's salvation from famine, is a testament to God's sovereign control over all circumstances, as Joseph himself articulates in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration: God Meant It for Good"). The verse also highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God's promise to Abraham regarding a numerous offspring ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")) is being preserved and secured through the family's safe arrival and future growth in Egypt. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Reconciliation and Restoration**, as the fractured family of Jacob is now reunited and poised for a new beginning under Joseph's care and Pharaoh's protection, a stark contrast to the earlier strife depicted in [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Genesis 37 - Joseph's Dreams and His Brothers' Jealousy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharaoh (Egyptian, _Parʻôh'_):** This term, of Egyptian derivation, serves as a general title for Egyptian kings. In this context, it signifies the supreme authority of the land, whose personal acknowledgment of Jacob's family underscores the official and secure nature of their arrival. The use of this title rather than a personal name emphasizes the institutional power and royal sanction behind the welcome extended to Joseph's kin.
* **spake (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to say," used with great latitude to convey various forms of communication, including answering, appointing, commanding, declaring, or telling. Here, it denotes a direct, authoritative, and intentional verbal communication from Pharaoh to Joseph, indicating a formal pronouncement rather than a casual remark. This "speaking" carries the weight of royal decree and confirms the successful execution of Joseph's plan.
* **come (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to go or come" in a wide variety of applications, including to arrive, enter, or attain. In this verse, it precisely conveys the completed action of Jacob's family reaching their destination in Egypt. The phrase "are come unto thee" specifically links their arrival directly to Joseph, acknowledging his role in orchestrating their migration and highlighting his status as the one to whom they were entrusted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker (Pharaoh), the recipient (Joseph), and the mode of communication (direct speech). It immediately signals a significant exchange between the highest authority in Egypt and his most trusted vizier. The act of Pharaoh speaking directly to Joseph about his family underscores the extraordinary favor Joseph enjoyed and the importance of this family's arrival to the Egyptian court, likely due to Joseph's invaluable service in saving the nation from famine.
* **"Thy father and thy brethren"**: This phrase identifies the subjects of Pharaoh's statement: Jacob (Joseph's father) and his eleven brothers. The possessive "thy" reinforces the familial connection to Joseph, emphasizing that their presence is a direct consequence of Joseph's position and influence. It highlights the entire family unit, signifying that God's covenant people, though small, have arrived intact.
* **"are come unto thee:"**: This concluding clause confirms the successful completion of the family's journey from Canaan to Egypt. The phrase "unto thee" is crucial, as it indicates that their arrival is specifically in relation to Joseph, who had sent for them and arranged for their settlement. This confirms that the family is under Joseph's direct care and protection, which, by extension, is under Pharaoh's sanction. It marks the fulfillment of Joseph's earlier plans and God's providential guidance in bringing His chosen people to a place of safety and provision.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Genesis 47:5](/genesis/47-5 "Genesis 47:5 - Pharaoh's Acknowledgment") is **Direct Speech**. By quoting Pharaoh's exact words, the narrative lends immediacy and authenticity to the moment. This choice emphasizes Pharaoh's personal involvement and the weight of his royal acknowledgment. The simplicity of the statement, "Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee," functions as a powerful **Confirmation**, marking the successful culmination of a long and divinely orchestrated journey. It also serves as a **Transitional Statement**, bridging the narrative from the family's physical arrival to their formal presentation and subsequent settlement in Egypt. Furthermore, the verse carries a subtle layer of **Foreshadowing**; while it signifies immediate safety and provision, it also subtly hints at the future, as the secure establishment of Jacob's family in Egypt is a necessary precursor to their growth into a nation, which will eventually lead to their enslavement and the dramatic events of the Exodus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 47:5, though brief, is rich with theological significance, primarily serving as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous providence. The safe arrival of Jacob's family in Egypt, confirmed by the highest authority in the land, underscores that God's plan for His covenant people is unstoppable, even when human circumstances seem dire. What began with Joseph's betrayal and suffering ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")) was divinely repurposed to ensure the preservation and flourishing of the very family through whom God's redemptive promises would be fulfilled. This moment is not merely a family reunion but a critical step in the unfolding of salvation history, demonstrating God's sovereign hand guiding His people towards their destiny.

* [Genesis 46:3](/genesis/46-3 "God's Promise to Jacob in Beersheba"): God reassures Jacob, promising to go with him to Egypt and to make him a great nation there, directly fulfilled by the family's safe arrival.
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Words to His Brothers: God Meant It for Good"): Joseph later articulates the core theological truth that what his brothers intended for evil, God intended for good, to save many lives.
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "The Growth of Israel in Egypt"): This verse confirms the rapid growth of the Israelites in Egypt, a direct consequence of their secure settlement, fulfilling God's promise of a numerous offspring.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The simple confirmation in [Genesis 47:5](/genesis/47-5 "Genesis 47:5 - Pharaoh's Acknowledgment") serves as a profound reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous timing in our own lives. Just as God orchestrated Joseph's journey and faithfully brought his family to safety and reunion in Egypt, He remains steadfast in His promises and purposes for us, even through difficult, uncertain, or seemingly impossible circumstances. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's sovereign hand, recognizing that His plans unfold in His perfect timing, often requiring immense patience and unwavering faith on our part. Furthermore, the story leading up to this verse is a powerful testament to the possibility of reconciliation and new beginnings, even after deep hurts and betrayals, offering profound hope for restoration in our own fractured relationships and reminding us that God can redeem even the most painful pasts for His glorious future.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the journey of Joseph and his family, culminating in this verse, encourage your trust in God's long-term plan for your life, especially when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust?**
* **In what ways can you identify God's "pharaohs" or unexpected sources of favor in your own life that He has used to bring about His purposes?**
* **Considering the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, what steps can you take to pursue healing and restoration in fractured relationships in your own life, trusting God for the outcome?**

### FAQ

**Why was Pharaoh so welcoming to Joseph's family?**

Answer: Pharaoh's welcoming attitude towards Joseph's family was primarily due to the immense respect, gratitude, and strategic value he placed on Joseph. Joseph had, through divine wisdom and foresight, saved Egypt from the devastating seven-year famine, elevating him to the second most powerful position in the kingdom ([Genesis 41:39-44](/genesis/41-39-44 "Joseph's Elevation to Vizier")). Pharaoh understood that Joseph's family was an extension of this invaluable servant. By welcoming them, Pharaoh not only honored Joseph and secured his continued loyalty and service but also recognized the importance of family ties in ancient cultures. This act of royal favor was also an integral part of God's providential plan to protect and allow the nascent nation of Israel to grow and multiply in a secure environment before their eventual exodus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 47:5, by confirming the safe arrival and impending settlement of Jacob's family in Egypt, points to Christ in several profound ways. The preservation of this specific family lineage was absolutely crucial, as it was through them that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would ultimately come, fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). God's meticulous care in bringing them to a place of safety and provision in Egypt, under Joseph's benevolent hand, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate provision for humanity through Christ, who offers a spiritual refuge and eternal sustenance from the famine of sin and spiritual death ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus: The Bread of Life")). The gathering of Jacob's family in Egypt, under the protection of Joseph, the "savior" of his people, also prefigures the gathering of God's chosen people—the Church—into the spiritual kingdom of Christ, where He, as the ultimate Good Shepherd and Provider, ensures their protection, flourishing, and eternal inheritance ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "Jesus: The Good Shepherd"), [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Citizenship in God's Household")). Just as Joseph provided a safe haven for his family, Christ provides the ultimate sanctuary for all who believe, bringing them into His fold and securing their future.

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.