Genesis 47:7

KJV

And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} brought in {H935} Jacob {H3290} his father {H1}, and set him {H5975} before {H6440} Pharaoh {H6547}: and Jacob {H3290} blessed {H1288} Pharaoh {H6547}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef then brought in Ya'akov his father and presented him to Pharaoh, and Ya'akov blessed Pharaoh.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

American Standard Version

And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 47:7 captures a profoundly significant moment in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant people: Joseph, now the esteemed viceroy of Egypt, formally presents his aged father, Jacob, to Pharaoh. This pivotal encounter culminates not in Pharaoh bestowing favor, but in Jacob, the patriarch of Israel and inheritor of divine promises, solemnly blessing the most powerful earthly ruler of his time. This act subtly yet powerfully asserts the spiritual supremacy of God's chosen lineage and the ultimate source of true authority, even amidst the grandeur of a pagan empire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of [Genesis 47:7](/genesis/47-7 "Jacob Blesses Pharaoh") is the culmination of Joseph's remarkable journey from slavery to sovereignty, and the subsequent migration of Jacob's entire household to Egypt. Following Joseph's God-given wisdom in preparing Egypt for a severe seven-year famine, as detailed in [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Joseph's Rise and Famine Preparation"), his family, including his aged father Jacob, has recently arrived in the land of Goshen. This formal introduction to Pharaoh is a crucial step in securing their permanent settlement and protection in a foreign land, solidifying Joseph's high standing and demonstrating his profound filial piety towards his father, whom he honors by bringing him before the highest authority in the realm. This scene sets the stage for the Israelites' long sojourn in Egypt, a period of both protection and eventual oppression, fulfilling aspects of God's earlier prophecy to Abraham in [Genesis 15:13](/genesis/15-13 "God's Prophecy of Israel's Sojourn in Egypt").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically and culturally, an audience with Pharaoh was an immense privilege, reserved for the highest officials and foreign dignitaries. Pharaoh was considered a divine king, a living god, and the embodiment of Egypt's power and prosperity. For an elderly, nomadic shepherd like Jacob to be presented before such a figure was extraordinary, made possible only by Joseph's unprecedented influence and the dire circumstances of the famine. In the ancient Near East, blessings were not mere greetings; they were potent pronouncements, often invoking divine favor and carrying significant spiritual weight. The act of blessing was typically performed by a superior upon an inferior, or by a spiritual authority. Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh, therefore, carries a profound counter-cultural significance, subtly subverting the expected hierarchy and asserting a higher, divine authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the book of Genesis. It highlights God's **divine providence** and **faithfulness to His covenant promises**, demonstrating how He orchestrates seemingly disparate events – Joseph's enslavement, his rise to power, and the global famine – to preserve His chosen lineage and bring them to a place of safety and provision, as promised to Abraham in [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham and the Promise of Blessing"). Furthermore, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **spiritual authority** transcending earthly power, as the patriarch, though outwardly humble, possesses a divine mandate to bless the most powerful monarch. This encounter also underscores the theme of **filial piety** and the importance of family, as Joseph meticulously cares for his father and secures his family's future, echoing the broader theme of God's care for His chosen family, Israel, which is central to the entire narrative of [Genesis](/genesis/1 "The Book of Genesis").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jacob (Hebrew, _Yaʻăqôb'_):** This name, meaning 'heel-catcher' or 'supplanter,' encapsulates the patriarch's early life marked by struggle and cunning. Yet, by this point in his life, Jacob has been transformed by God, wrestling with Him and receiving the name Israel, signifying his perseverance and God's faithfulness. His act of blessing here is a testament to his matured faith and his role as the bearer of God's covenant promises, a man whose life now reflects divine favor rather than human manipulation.
* **set him (Hebrew, _ʻâmad'_):** The verb 'âmad' means 'to stand' or 'to place.' In this context, Joseph 'set' or 'placed' Jacob before Pharaoh, indicating a formal, respectful presentation. It suggests Joseph's deliberate action to honor his father and ensure his proper introduction, establishing Jacob's presence with dignity and significance in the royal court. This act of 'setting' also implies a position of honor and direct access, underscoring Joseph's unique standing.
* **blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** This primitive root signifies 'to kneel' and, by implication, 'to bless' or 'to invoke divine favor.' It is a solemn, spiritual act, not a mere social courtesy. For Jacob to 'bless' Pharaoh means he pronounced a benediction, invoking God's favor and prosperity upon the ruler of Egypt. This action carries immense spiritual weight, asserting the spiritual authority of the one who blesses over the one who is blessed, as Jacob acts as a conduit of God's power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph brought in Jacob his father":** This clause highlights Joseph's deep filial piety and his powerful position within Egypt. As the second-in-command, Joseph had the unique privilege and authority to arrange an audience between his aged, nomadic father and the supreme ruler of the land. This act is a public demonstration of Joseph's respect and love for his father, showcasing his commitment to his family even amidst his immense worldly success. It signifies the formal introduction and acceptance of Jacob's household into the highest echelons of Egyptian society.
* **"and set him before Pharaoh":** This phrase emphasizes the solemnity and formality of the encounter. Joseph did not merely present Jacob; he "set him" or "placed him" with dignity and purpose before the most powerful monarch of the ancient world. This arrangement underscores the weight of the moment, elevating Jacob from a simple shepherd to a respected patriarch in the presence of royalty, a testament to God's elevation of His chosen people.
* **"and Jacob blessed Pharaoh":** This is the most striking and theologically significant action in the verse. Rather than Pharaoh, the mighty ruler, bestowing a blessing or favor upon the humble patriarch, it is Jacob, the inheritor of God's covenant, who pronounces a blessing upon Pharaoh. This act is not a polite greeting but a spiritual pronouncement, an invocation of divine favor from the true Sovereign of the universe, through His chosen servant. It powerfully illustrates the spiritual principle, later articulated in [Hebrews 7:7](/hebrews/7-7 "The Lesser is Blessed by the Greater"), that "without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater." Jacob, though outwardly less powerful, was spiritually superior as the bearer of God's promises and a conduit of divine blessing.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the juxtaposition of Jacob, an aged, nomadic shepherd, with Pharaoh, the supreme and deified ruler of the most powerful empire of the ancient world. This stark difference highlights the surprising spiritual dynamic at play. The act of Jacob blessing Pharaoh also functions as a powerful **symbolism** of spiritual authority triumphing over earthly power, asserting that true blessing originates from God through His covenant people. Furthermore, there is a subtle **irony** in the scene: the one who appears to be "lesser" in worldly status is actually "greater" in spiritual authority, capable of bestowing divine favor upon the one who holds all temporal power. This encounter also serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the future role of Israel as a source of blessing for all nations, a theme central to the Abrahamic covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 47:7 provides a profound theological statement about the nature of true authority and the source of ultimate blessing. It unequivocally demonstrates that spiritual authority, derived from a relationship with the Almighty God, transcends and ultimately surpasses all earthly power and prestige. Jacob, as the patriarch of God's covenant people, acts as a conduit of divine favor, illustrating that God's chosen ones, even in apparent humility, carry a profound spiritual weight that can impact the most powerful rulers. This scene underscores God's sovereignty, His faithfulness to His promises, and His ability to elevate His servants to positions of influence for His redemptive purposes, even within a pagan context.

* [Hebrews 7:7](/hebrews/7-7 "The Lesser is Blessed by the Greater")
* [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham and the Promise of Blessing")
* [Psalm 105:13-15](/psalms/105-13-15 "God Protects His Anointed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 47:7 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our true authority and ultimate source of blessing come from God, not from worldly power, status, or wealth. Like Jacob, we are called to be channels of God's blessing to those around us, including leaders and authorities, praying for their well-being and wise governance, recognizing that even the most powerful earthly figures are ultimately under God's sovereign hand. Joseph's example teaches us the importance of honoring our elders and respecting those in positions of authority, demonstrating proper protocol and respect for leadership. Moreover, this passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan to work through all circumstances—even famine, displacement, and political maneuvering—for His purposes, preserving His people and fulfilling His promises, reminding us that His divine hand is at work even in the most challenging and unexpected seasons of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to value earthly power or status over spiritual authority in my own life or in the world around me?**
* **How can I, like Jacob, be a channel of God's blessing to those in positions of authority, even if they do not share my faith?**
* **What does Joseph's action of bringing his father before Pharaoh teach me about honoring my parents and family, regardless of my own achievements or status?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to trust God's providence, even when circumstances seem dire or beyond my control?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jacob blessing Pharaoh rather than Pharaoh blessing Jacob?**

Answer: The profound significance lies in the spiritual hierarchy and the ultimate source of true blessing. While Pharaoh was the most powerful earthly ruler, considered divine by his subjects and holding absolute temporal authority, Jacob was the patriarch of God's chosen people, the inheritor of the divine covenant, and a man who walked intimately with the one true God. His blessing was not a mere social courtesy or a wish; it was a solemn, spiritual pronouncement, an invocation of divine favor from the true Sovereign over all creation. This act subtly but profoundly asserts the spiritual superiority of God's covenant people and the ultimate authority of God over all earthly powers. It illustrates the principle later articulated in [Hebrews 7:7](/hebrews/7-7 "The Lesser is Blessed by the Greater"), where "without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater." Jacob, as a representative of God, was spiritually "greater" than Pharaoh, the earthly king, making his blessing a powerful theological statement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's role as a patriarch who blesses, acting as a channel of divine favor and a conduit of God's promises, points forward to the ultimate and eternal blessing found in Jesus Christ. While Jacob could impart a temporal blessing upon Pharaoh, Christ is the very embodiment and source of all spiritual and eternal blessings, the fulfillment of every covenant promise, and the one through whom all nations are truly blessed. He is the ultimate "greater" who blesses the "lesser" (humanity), offering salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life through His atoning work on the cross ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Blessed in Christ with Every Spiritual Blessing")). Just as Jacob's presence brought a measure of blessing and provision to Egypt, Christ's presence and redemptive work bring the ultimate spiritual and eternal blessings to all who believe, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant that "in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "All Nations Blessed Through Abraham's Offspring")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, is worthy to receive "blessing and honor and glory and power" ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Worthy is the Lamb to Receive Blessing")), and it is through Him that God has "raised up his servant to bless you" ([Acts 3:26](/acts/3-26 "God Raised Up His Servant Jesus to Bless You")).

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 47:10

And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.

Matthew 26:26

¶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

2 Kings 4:29

Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

2 Samuel 14:22

And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

Luke 22:19

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1 Peter 2:17

Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

1 Kings 1:47

And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.