Genesis 50:22

KJV

¶ And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} dwelt {H3427} in Egypt {H4714}, he, and his father's {H1} house {H1004}: and Joseph {H3130} lived {H2421} an hundred {H3967} and ten {H6235} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef continued living in Egypt, he and his father's household. Yosef lived 110 years.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110.

American Standard Version

And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father’s house: and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 50:22 provides a succinct yet profound conclusion to the life of Joseph and the patriarchal era, affirming his continued residence in Egypt alongside his entire family and noting his impressive lifespan of 110 years. This verse serves as a pivotal narrative bridge, decisively closing the foundational stories of Genesis while simultaneously setting the crucial stage for the burgeoning growth of the nascent nation of Israel within Egypt, thereby anticipating the dramatic events that will unfold in the subsequent book of Exodus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the penultimate statement in the Book of Genesis, immediately following the deeply emotional accounts of Jacob's death, burial, and Joseph's subsequent reassurance to his brothers that he would not seek retribution. Joseph has already demonstrated profound wisdom and forgiveness, having reconciled with his family and ensured their survival during a severe famine. The preceding verses detail Joseph's final instructions regarding his own burial, requesting that his bones be carried out of Egypt when God brings his people back to the Promised Land. Genesis 50:22 therefore functions as a final summary of Joseph's earthly life and legacy, solidifying the family's presence in Egypt before the narrative shifts dramatically to their oppression and exodus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The detail of Joseph living 110 years is highly significant within the ancient Egyptian cultural milieu. In Egyptian wisdom literature and tomb inscriptions, 110 years was considered the ideal lifespan, a revered symbol of a life fully lived, blessed with wisdom, prosperity, and completeness. It was a common wish for pharaohs and noblemen, signifying a highly favored and successful existence in the eyes of the gods. For Joseph, a high-ranking official in Egypt, this detail underscores the profound respect and honor he commanded in the land, reflecting a complete and divinely blessed life marked by integrity and purpose. Furthermore, the secure "dwelling" of Jacob's "house" in Egypt highlights the geopolitical reality of a foreign people being granted land (Goshen) and protection, a status that would drastically change in the generations to come, as hinted in [Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King in Egypt").
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 50:22 contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully underscores **Divine Providence**, demonstrating God's meticulous and overarching plan to preserve His chosen family, even in a foreign land, laying the groundwork for their growth into a nation. Joseph's life, from his youthful dreams in [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Genesis 37 - Joseph's Dreams and Betrayal") to his position as a powerful ruler in [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams"), culminates in this peaceful end, highlighting **Joseph's Enduring Legacy** of faith, wisdom, and forgiveness. Most crucially, the verse serves as a **Transitional Significance**, definitively closing the patriarchal narratives of Genesis, which focused on individual family heads, and setting the immediate stage for the national story of Israel's formation and eventual exodus from bondage, which becomes the central theme of the subsequent book of Exodus. The secure settlement of "his father's house" in Egypt was a divinely orchestrated period of incubation, allowing the family to multiply greatly, preparing them to become the numerous nation of Israel, as promised in [Genesis 46:3](/genesis/46-3 "Genesis 46:3 - God's Promise to Jacob in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, a primitive root meaning "to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry." This word signifies not merely a temporary stay but a settled, established residence. For Joseph and his family, it indicates a period of stability and security in Egypt, a strategic placement by divine providence that allowed for their unhindered growth. It implies a sense of permanence, albeit one that would eventually be challenged.
* **father's house (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_ ; _bayith'_):** From H1 ('âb) and H1004 (bayith). H1, 'âb, means "father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application." H1004, bayith, means "a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)." The phrase "father's house" (Hebrew: *bêth 'âb*) here refers to the entire extended family, the clan, and all descendants of Jacob. It emphasizes the collective nature of their settlement and growth, not just Joseph as an individual, but the nascent nation of Israel. This term underscores the continuity of the covenant line and the preservation of the family unit that would eventually become God's chosen people.
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** From H2421, a primitive root meaning "to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive." This word emphasizes Joseph's vitality and the blessed duration of his life. In the context of the patriarchal narratives, a long life was often seen as a sign of divine favor and blessing for faithfulness. Joseph's "living" for 110 years signifies a complete, full, and divinely sanctioned existence, marked by prosperity and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph dwelt in Egypt":** This clause confirms Joseph's continued presence and authority in Egypt after the death of his father, Jacob. It signifies that he remained in his high position, maintaining the stability and security he had established for his family. His dwelling was not merely physical occupation but a state of settled existence, where he continued to exercise his influence and stewardship.
* **"he, and his father's house":** This phrase expands the scope beyond Joseph himself, highlighting that his entire extended family—the seventy souls who came down to Egypt—also remained settled and secure. This collective dwelling was crucial, as it allowed the family of Jacob to grow from a small clan into a numerous people, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their multiplication. It underscores Joseph's role as the protector and provider for his entire lineage.
* **"and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years":** This final clause provides the precise duration of Joseph's life. As noted in the historical context, 110 years was considered the ideal lifespan in ancient Egypt, symbolizing a life of completeness, wisdom, and divine favor. For Joseph, it signifies a life fully lived, marked by extraordinary experiences, unwavering faith, and ultimate vindication and blessing from God. It serves as a concluding statement on the prosperity and fulfillment of his remarkable journey.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Conciseness** is evident in the brief, factual statement that summarizes a significant period and outcome. This brevity, however, belies the deep theological and narrative implications. The verse functions as a powerful **Summary**, encapsulating the peaceful and prosperous end of Joseph's life and the secure establishment of his family. Crucially, it acts as a narrative **Transition**, definitively closing the Book of Genesis and preparing the reader for the dramatic shift to the national story of Israel in Exodus. The number "an hundred and ten years" carries **Symbolism**, representing the ideal lifespan in Egyptian culture, which, when applied to Joseph, underscores divine blessing and a life fully accomplished according to God's purpose. This symbolic detail reinforces Joseph's status as a highly favored individual, both by God and by the Egyptians.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 50:22 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly His commitment to preserve and multiply Abraham's descendants. Even in a foreign land, God meticulously guided circumstances through Joseph's life to ensure the survival and prosperity of His chosen family, laying the groundwork for their growth into a mighty nation. This verse underscores God's sovereign control over all human affairs, demonstrating how He uses both the good and the difficult experiences of individuals to fulfill His ultimate redemptive purposes, ultimately preparing a people through whom the Messiah would come.

* [Genesis 46:3](/genesis/46-3 "God's Promise to Jacob in Egypt")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel Multiplies in Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 34:7](/deuteronomy/34-7 "Moses' Age at Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 50:22 offers a profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God's faithfulness endures through generations, even when circumstances seem to settle into long periods of waiting or foreign dwelling. Joseph's life, culminating in this peaceful end, exemplifies how unwavering faith, integrity, and radical forgiveness, even in the face of immense hardship and betrayal, can lead to a divinely blessed and purposeful existence. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His often hidden purposes, recognizing that even in periods of comfort or apparent stagnation, God may be orchestrating a larger, long-term plan for His people and for the world. Our lives, like Joseph's, have the potential to leave a lasting impact not just on our immediate families but on future generations, as we faithfully participate in God's unfolding redemptive narrative. We are called to live lives of integrity, to forgive those who wrong us, and to trust that God is always working for our good and for His glory, even when we cannot see the full picture.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's settled "dwelling in Egypt" encourage you to find peace and purpose in your current circumstances, even if they are not what you ideally envisioned?**
* **What aspects of Joseph's character (e.g., forgiveness, integrity, wisdom) are most challenging or inspiring for you to apply in your own life?**
* **Considering Joseph's long and blessed life, what does it mean to live a "full" or "complete" life in God's eyes today?**
* **How can you, like Joseph, contribute to the spiritual well-being and future flourishing of your "father's house" (your family, church, or community)?**

### FAQ
**Why is Joseph's age of 110 years significant?**

Answer: In ancient Egyptian culture, 110 years was considered the ideal lifespan, a symbol of a life fully lived, blessed with wisdom, prosperity, and completeness. It was a common wish for pharaohs and noblemen, signifying a highly favored and successful existence. For Joseph, this detail emphasizes the profound respect and honor he commanded in Egypt, reflecting the completeness of his divinely blessed life, marked by integrity and purpose. It signifies that he achieved a full and prosperous life, a testament to God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises, much like Moses, who also lived to a ripe old age, as recorded in [Deuteronomy 34:7](/deuteronomy/34-7 "Moses' Age at Death").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's life, culminating in his preservation of his family in Egypt, powerfully prefigures the redemptive work of Christ. Like Joseph, who was rejected by his own brothers and suffered unjustly, Jesus was despised and rejected by His own people, enduring immense suffering and crucifixion (cf. [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). Yet, just as Joseph was exalted to a position of ultimate power in Egypt, becoming the savior of his family and many nations, Christ was exalted by God to the highest place, given a name above every name, and became the ultimate deliverer, not just for a single family or nation, but for all humanity (cf. [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation")). Joseph's role in sustaining his family in Egypt, enabling them to grow into the nation from whom the Messiah would ultimately come, points to Christ as the true sustainer and preserver of God's people, ensuring the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through His own sacrificial life, death, and resurrection (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through Christ, God's "house" – the church – is preserved and multiplied, dwelling securely in Him, awaiting the ultimate return to the promised eternal inheritance (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Built on the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets")).

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.