Genesis 47:8

KJV

And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old [art] thou?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Pharaoh {H6547} said {H559} unto Jacob {H3290}, How {H4100} old {H2416}{H3117}{H8141} art thou?

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh asked Ya'akov,"How old are you?"

Berean Standard Bible

“How many years have you lived?” Pharaoh asked.

American Standard Version

And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How many are the days of the years of thy life?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 47:8 records the pivotal and respectful encounter between Pharaoh, the powerful ruler of Egypt, and Jacob, the venerable patriarch of Israel, shortly after Joseph orchestrates his family's relocation to Egypt during a severe famine. Pharaoh's direct and curious inquiry into Jacob's age serves as a profound catalyst, setting the stage for the patriarch's poignant reflection on his long, challenging, and divinely guided life, thereby underscoring God's intricate providential care for His chosen people even amidst displacement and hardship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Joseph has presented five of his brothers to Pharaoh, securing for them the fertile land of Goshen for settlement. The narrative then shifts to the highly anticipated meeting between the reigning monarch of Egypt and the aged patriarch of the nascent Israelite nation. Pharaoh's question to Jacob in [Genesis 47:8](/genesis/47-8 "Pharaoh's Question to Jacob") is not a casual greeting but a significant opening to a dialogue that culminates in Jacob blessing Pharaoh and, more importantly, in Jacob's profound and reflective response about his life's pilgrimage in [Genesis 47:9](/genesis/47-9 "Jacob's Poignant Reflection on His Life"). This interaction highlights the transfer of patriarchal authority and blessing, even in a foreign land, and sets the stage for the subsequent details of the famine's progression and Joseph's administration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, age was highly revered, often associated with wisdom, experience, and divine favor. A long life was seen as a blessing from God, signifying a person of significant standing and insight. Pharaoh, as the most powerful ruler of his time, would have been accustomed to receiving homage, yet his direct and personal inquiry to Jacob demonstrates a remarkable level of respect and curiosity for a man of such evident years, particularly as the father of his esteemed vizier, Joseph. This cultural reverence for elders underscores the significance of Pharaoh's question and Jacob's subsequent, deeply personal answer, which would have resonated strongly with an ancient audience.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 47:8 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence**, as God orchestrates events—from Joseph's enslavement to his rise in power ([Genesis 45:7-8](/genesis/45-7-8 "Joseph's Explanation of God's Providence"))—to preserve His covenant people during a severe famine, ensuring the continuation of the Abrahamic line. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Respect for Elders and Wisdom**, as the mighty Pharaoh shows deference to the aged Jacob, recognizing the inherent value and experience accumulated over a long life. Lastly, it introduces the theme of **Life as a Pilgrimage or Sojourn**, a concept Jacob himself articulates in [Genesis 47:9](/genesis/47-9 "Jacob's Description of His Life as a Pilgrimage"), emphasizing the transient nature of earthly existence and the journey of faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharaoh (Hebrew, _Parʻôh'_):** (H6547) This term is of Egyptian derivation, serving as a general title for Egyptian kings. In this context, it signifies the supreme earthly authority Jacob encounters, highlighting the dramatic shift in circumstances for Jacob's family—from nomadic shepherds to residents under the protection of the world's most powerful monarch, a testament to God's sovereign hand.
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** (H559) A primitive root meaning "to say," used with great latitude to include speaking, commanding, declaring, or inquiring. Here, it denotes Pharaoh's direct verbal address to Jacob, initiating a personal and significant exchange rather than a mere formal greeting. This verb emphasizes the intentionality and directness of Pharaoh's query.
* **How (Hebrew, _mâh'_):** (H4100) A primitive interrogative particle meaning "what?" or "how?" It introduces a question, but in this context, it carries an exclamatory or curious tone, reflecting Pharaoh's genuine interest and perhaps even awe at Jacob's advanced age, rather than a simple factual inquiry. It sets the stage for a reflective, rather than merely numerical, answer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaoh said unto Jacob,"**: This opening clause establishes the two central figures of the encounter: Pharaoh, the powerful ruler, and Jacob, the venerable patriarch. The direct address signifies a moment of significant interaction, demonstrating Pharaoh's personal interest in Jacob, likely influenced by Joseph's high standing and Jacob's evident age and dignity. It sets a tone of respect and curiosity from the monarch towards the head of the Israelite family.
* **"How old [art] thou?"**: This question, while seemingly simple, carries profound cultural and theological weight. The Hebrew phrasing, `mah chay yom shaneh` (literally "what life day year?"), is more poetic and expansive than a mere numerical inquiry. It asks about the "days of your life" or "the years of your life," inviting Jacob to reflect not just on the quantity of his years but on the quality and experiences that filled them. This phrasing underscores the ancient reverence for longevity and the wisdom accumulated through a long life, viewing life as a journey or pilgrimage.

#### Literary Devices
The brief exchange in Genesis 47:8 employs several subtle but effective literary devices. The primary device is **Interrogative Rhetoric**, as Pharaoh's question, "How old [art] thou?", is more than a simple inquiry; it serves as a prompt for Jacob's subsequent, deeply reflective discourse on his life's journey in [Genesis 47:9](/genesis/47-9 "Jacob's Response to Pharaoh"). This rhetorical question invites a deeper, more personal response than a mere number. Furthermore, there is an element of **Symbolism** at play, where "age" and "days" symbolize the entirety of one's earthly pilgrimage, marked by experiences, challenges, and divine interaction. This foreshadows Jacob's own description of his life as a "pilgrimage" (KJV: "sojourning") in the following verse, emphasizing the transient nature of human existence and the journey of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple question from Pharaoh to Jacob is deeply woven into the theological tapestry of Genesis, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His meticulous care for His chosen people. It underscores the theme of divine providence, as God orchestrates the reunion of Jacob's family in Egypt, ensuring their survival and growth into a nation, despite famine and displacement. Pharaoh's respect for Jacob also subtly elevates the status of God's chosen patriarch, even in a foreign land, demonstrating that God honors those who honor Him. The inquiry into Jacob's age naturally leads to a reflection on the brevity and challenges of life, a theme that resonates throughout biblical wisdom literature.

* **Divine Preservation of the Covenant Line:** [Genesis 45:7](/genesis/45-7 "Joseph's Explanation of God's Purpose") – Joseph explains to his brothers that God sent him ahead to Egypt to preserve their lives and a great remnant, directly leading to Jacob's arrival and this encounter.
* **Reverence for Elders and Wisdom:** [Leviticus 19:32](/leviticus/19-32 "Respect for the Aged") – "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD." This command in the Law reflects the ancient Israelite value of honoring the aged, a value implicitly demonstrated by Pharaoh's respect for Jacob.
* **Life as a Sojourn/Pilgrimage:** [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "The Brevity of Life") – "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." This psalm echoes the sentiment of life's brevity and hardship, a theme profoundly articulated by Jacob in response to Pharaoh's question.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Pharaoh's simple question, "How old art thou?", invites us to a profound self-reflection on our own journey of life. It challenges us to consider not merely the quantity of our years but the quality of our days—how we are living them, what experiences are shaping us, and how we are acknowledging God's guiding hand through both joy and sorrow. Like Jacob, whose life was marked by wrestling with God and man, our lives are a pilgrimage, a sojourn filled with divine appointments and challenges that refine our faith. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep reverence for the wisdom of elders, recognizing that their long journeys offer invaluable insights into God's faithfulness and the complexities of human experience. Furthermore, the broader narrative of Jacob's arrival in Egypt serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering sovereignty, even amidst seemingly insurmountable difficulties like famine and displacement. He orchestrates all circumstances, both good and bad, to fulfill His promises and preserve His people, assuring us that His purposes will always prevail, and He works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, as affirmed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you view the "days of your years"? Is your life merely a sum of time, or a pilgrimage of purpose and experience?**
* **In what ways can you better honor and learn from the wisdom of elders in your own life and community?**
* **How does the story of God's preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt encourage you about God's sovereignty over your own life's challenges and uncertainties?**
* **What "blessings" (like Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh) are you called to impart, even from a place of perceived vulnerability or old age?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pharaoh ask Jacob his age?**

Answer: Pharaoh's question was primarily an expression of respect, curiosity, and a customary acknowledgement of a venerable figure in ancient Near Eastern cultures. In these societies, longevity was often associated with wisdom, experience, and divine favor. Jacob, as the patriarch of a large family and a man of evident advanced years, would have commanded such deference, especially as the father of Joseph, Egypt's prime minister. It was a way for the monarch to honor Jacob and engage him in a personal and significant dialogue, recognizing the weight of his life's journey.

**What is the significance of the Hebrew phrasing "How old [art] thou?"**

Answer: The King James Version's "How old [art] thou?" translates the Hebrew `mah chay yom shaneh` (כַּמָּה יְמֵי שְׁנֵי חַיֶּיךָ), which literally means "What are the days of the years of your life?" or "How many are the days of your life?" This phrasing is far more poetic and profound than a simple numerical query. It emphasizes life as a pilgrimage, a journey composed of individual days and years, highlighting its transient and experiential nature. This invites a reflection on the quality and events accumulated over time, rather than just the numerical sum of years, underscoring the brevity, preciousness, and often challenging nature of human existence, as Jacob's subsequent response in [Genesis 47:9](/genesis/47-9 "Jacob's Reflection on His Life") clearly illustrates.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 47:8 directly records a historical exchange, it stands as a significant moment within the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive plan, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Pharaoh's inquiry into Jacob's age and Jacob's subsequent reflection on his "pilgrimage" underscore the transient nature of human life and the journey of faith, themes that find their ultimate meaning in Jesus. Jacob's journey to Egypt, orchestrated by Joseph's divine appointment ([Genesis 45:7-8](/genesis/45-7-8 "Joseph's Explanation of God's Providence")), ensures the survival and growth of the family through whom the Messiah would come. This divine preservation of the covenant line foreshadows Christ, who is the true Israel, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham")), and the one through whom all nations are blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Abrahamic Covenant - Blessing All Nations")). Just as Jacob's life was a pilgrimage under God's providence, Christ's earthly life was a perfect pilgrimage, culminating in His redemptive work on the cross ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")) that secures eternal life for all who trust in Him, bringing them into God's promised spiritual rest and true inheritance ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). In Christ, our own earthly pilgrimage finds its purpose and eternal destination.

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.