Genesis 47

Genesis 47:1

MY father and my brethren] See Annot. on Chap. 46. vers. 31.

in the land of Goshen] Pharaoh made a franke offer of all the Land of Egypt for their choice, and use, Genesis 45. vers. 18. 20. and it seemeth Goshen was most commodious for them, both as neerest unto Canaan, and freest from offence to the Egyptians; to whom shepherds (and such were Jacob and his children) were an abomination, Chap. 46. vers. 34. and here they were placed at first by vertue of that generall power which Joseph had in all the Land of Egypt, or by Pharaoh his professed favour, Genesis 45. vers. 18. 20. but afterward this Land, upon the request of Josephs brethren, was by particular allowance, the place of their abode. See Annot. on Chap. 45. vers. 10.

Genesis 47:2

Some of his brethren] Hebr. Of the extremity of his brethren, five in number; which five they were is not set downe, though some Jewes take upon them to tell them by name, as the Papists do by the Wise-men that came by th guidance of a Starre to worship our Saviour. Some think because of the word Extremity, or the last, or outside of his brethren, that he took five of the eldest, or five of the youngest, which were the extreames, and left the middlemost; others conceive he made no choyce at all, but took such as came first, or were readiest when he required their presence before Pharaoh; others think he made choyce of the worst, such as might be least like to be taken for his servants, or to be made Courtiers, whereof he was unwilling, because he was loath to adventure them upon the corruption of the Court; others that he made choice of such as were most gracefull, and least lyable to scorn, or contempt of curious or envious Courtiers: But he made choyce of such as himself best liked, and were fittest to be brought into the presence of the King; and this he did that the King might be assured they were come, and might see what manner of men they were.

Genesis 47:3

What is your Occupation?] A meet question for a Magistrate to aske, to which they that cannot give a reasonable answer are to be suspected to be idle, and ill conditioned persons; for he that hath no lawfull calling to follow, is loose and at leisure to be taken into the Devils service; the ground that is not tilled will bring forth noysome weeds, and the standing Poole (not the running River) will soone stinke; and if the Sea did not work, and were not in continuall motion to purge it self, it would corrupt the ayre; and the ayre (but that winds do fan and purifie it by moving it to and fro) would be infectious: So it is with those that are idle, they are most commonly vicious in themselves, and the causes of corruption unto others; therefore have the wisest States made the strictest Lawes against idle persons, whose severity is vertually approved by the Apostle, condemning idlenesse as a capitall crime, to the pain of death, yea, to one of the worst of deaths, famine; enacting, as the fundamentall law of a Bride-well, He that will not labour let him not eat, 2 Thess. 3. 10.

shepherds] Hebr. A shepherd in the singular number, that is, every one of us is a shepherd; the like Enallage, or joyning the singular number with the plurall, see Genesis 27:29.

Genesis 47:4

No pasture] In Canaan there was a failing of the pasture sooner then in Egypt, because that is an higher ground then Egypt; and Goshen is the lower part of it, and so better stored with water, both in the ground it self, and with ditches and gutturs deriving water from Nilus.

Let thy servants dwell] This request of Josephs brethren was made no doubt by his direction; wherein his modesty appeareth, in that hee would not take upon him to settle them there without the Kings allowance. See Annot. on vers. 1.

Genesis 47:6

Is before thee] That is, open to thee for thy free choice; and since they desire to dwell in the Land of Goshen, let them dwell there.

Of activity] Pharaoh would not set over his cattell any one that was not meetly qualified for the sufficient oversight of them; much more curious choyce should be made of those who must have the oversight of the flock of Gods pasture, who are men, Ezekiel 34:31. then of flocks of sheep or heards of cattell.

Genesis 47:7

Brought in Jacob his father] See Annot, Chap. 46. vers. 31.

Jacob blessed Pharaoh] That is, prayed for him; as Numbers 6:23-24. Romans 12:14. and gave thankes to him for his great favour to Joseph, and to himselfe, and the rest of his sonnes, praising him for his beneficence to them; for the word Blessing is used in that sense, Ephesians 1:3. James 3:9. and in many other places.

Genesis 47:9

Of my pilgrimage] That is, variable abode, or sojourning; such is the life and condition of all the faithfull in this world, who account themselves as Pilgrims, and strangers here, 1 Chro. 29. 15. Psalms 39:12. and Psalms 119:19. Hebrews 11:13. and heaven to be their home, (which is meant by the Apostle, Hebrews 13:14.) to which they are travelling every day: yet Jacobs condition was a pilgrimage in respect of frequent changing of his dwelling, as from Canaan to Mesopotamia, Chap. 28. 5. from Mesopotamia to Canaan againe, Chap. 31. vers. 17, 18. and in Canaan from Succoth to Sechem, Chap. 33. 18. from Sechem to Bethel, Chap. 35. 6. from Bethel to Ephrath, vers. 16. from Ephrath to Hebron, vers. 27. from Hebron to Egypt, Chap. 46. which must be remembred by such as by crosses are occasioned to shift from place to place, wherein they may take comfort, if their affections be as like unto the Patriarch Jacobs, as their condition; since God dealeth none otherwise with them, then with such as he dearly loveth.

An hundred and thirty yeares] By a Chronologicall comparing of places, not onely the age of Jacob in some remarkable passages of his life is to be observed, but the ages likewise of his children; Jacob when he was brought before Pharaoh was an hundred and thirty yeares old, that being the third year (though not compleat) of the famine, Cha. 45. 6. Joseph was then betwixt thirty nine, and forty yeares old, for seven yeares before the famine began, he was thirty yeares old, Genesis 41:46. so that he was borne the 91. yeare of Jacobs age, and the fourteenth yeare of his service under Laban, which began in the seventy seventh yeare of his age, and Jacob now being an hundred and thirty yeares old, Joseph about nine and thirty, Reuben was about six and forty, &c.

few and evill] (Job 14:1.) Few, in comparison of many of his fore-fathers; evill in respect of his manifold crosses, which some reckon to seven, some to ten.

years of the life of my fathers] For his father Isaac lived to an hundred eightie yeares of age, Chap. 35. 28. his grandfather Abraham to one hundred seventy five, Chap. 25. 7.

Genesis 47:10

blessed Pharaoh] It is like that as his first salutation was with a blessing, so was his farewell. See Annot. on vers. 7.

Genesis 47:11

the land of Rameses] That is not a Towne or a City, (though there were a Citie of that name built a good while after this by the Israelites, Exodus 1:11.) but a speciall part of the Province of Goshen, (as an Hundred within a Countie) where Jacob and his sonnes were first placed by themselves, but afterward multiplying into a great number, they spread further, and had Egyptian families neere unto them, and among them, whence it was that the Angels distinguished their doores by the sprinkling of blood, Exod. 12. vers. 7. 23. and that the Israelites departing borrowed jewels of their neighbours the Egyptians, Exod. Chap. 12. vers. 35. 37.

Genesis 47:12

according to their families] Or, as a little child is nourished. Heb. even to the mouth of the little one. That is, from the greatest to the least; or with such tendernesse as that wherewith a Nurse feedeth her little one; or with as little care, or paines to Jacob and his off-spring, as children use in providing for themselves: a figurative speech, importing Josephs great care for them, and their secure confidence for provision by his meanes; and an evident proofe of Gods gracious providence, in sustaining his Church with fulnesse among strangers, and by their Religion enemies unto it, when they themselves were scanted in allowance.

Genesis 47:13

the land—fainted] That is, the people of the Land.

Genesis 47:14

all the money] He went not into Canaan to gather money, but that which was brought out of Canaan to buy corne withall, and the money wherewith the Egyptians bought their provision he brought unto Pharaoh; wherein he declareth his fidelitie toward the King, and his mind free from covetousnesse.

Genesis 47:18

the second yeare] Not the second yeare of the famine, (for it was the sixth yeare) but the second of those extreme hard yeares, wherein they were put to the greatest straits to procure provision, not having any money after the ordinary manner of commerce to buy it; the first yeare of such straits was the fifth yeare, when the people (all their money being spent) bought bread with flesh, giving their flocks, and heards in exchange for corne; this is reckoned for the first yeare of their extremitie, and this yeare ended, they came the next yeare after, (which is reckoned the second yeare) and set themselves, and their lands to sale for bread.

Genesis 47:19

give us seed] That as to the most might be corne for bread, (for that which is for seed will serve for bread) but to some who had ground upon the bankes of Nilus it might be in use to sow for increase; for there onely was hope, though none abundance to be expected.

Genesis 47:20

Joseph bought all] How excellent are those creatures in their want, which when they abound are esteemed as base, and wasted in abuse? now the famine is grievous, corne is precious, and worthy to be bought with money, goods, lands, liberties, and all; for without it men cannot live, and what service can all these things doe a man when he is dead? God doth both wisely, and justly, when by such restraint he makes men know the worth of what they had by the want thereof.

Genesis 47:21

from one end of the borders] Having gotten their lands for corne, he made them change their habitations that they might not plead an ancient possession, and might with more chearefulnesse pay their rent, which they would more willingly doe in those places, where they were but new comers, then in those whereof they had beene ancient owners. It may seeme strange that so many being pinched with famine would have the patience to part first with their money, then with their cattell; lastly with their lands, and liberties; and that they did not mutinously meet, and violently breake open the Barnes, or storehouses where the corne was kept; this was the effect of Josephs prudence, but especially of Gods power, and providence, which stilleth the noise of the sea, and the tumult of the people, Psalms 65:7. Quest. But did not Joseph deale injuriously, or uncharitably with them, by such advantages of their necessities to ingrosse all their goods, and to inthrall all their persons? To that it may be answered; First, that Joseph was the means under God to save their lives, (as themselves acknowledged, vers. 25.) from an horrible death, and therefore by him they received more good, then hurt. Secondly, the corne he sold was the Kings, at least the most part of it, and Joseph was in fidelitie to him to take a valuable recompence for it.

Thirdly, he did this with favour, for though they sold themselves for corne, he restored their libertie. Fourthly, whereas he might have taken halfe or foure parts and left them but the other halfe, or one of five, he allowed them foure parts, and conditioned but for a fifth unto the King, vers. 24. which was no more then was laid up in the yeares of plenty, Chap. 41. vers. 34.

Genesis 47:22

Onely the land of the Priests] This proceeded not of Josephs care (for he would not be so respective of Idolatrous Priests) but of Pharaohs, and yet the lands of the Priests might the rather be kept from alienation, because Potipherah, Josephs father in law, was Priest of On; for whose sake he is supposed by some to have favoured all the Priests; but in this Indulgence though Joseph had an hand, he had no heart; but as an Officer of Pharaoh, made an order, or drew up a sentence, for reservation of the rights and revenues of the Priests, which had beene anciently allowed them by the good liking of Prince and people, throughout the whole land: the case is much alike among the reformed Christians in France, who pay their tithes to the Idolatrous Priests of the Romish Religion, because they are not left at liberty to withhold them from their hands: this (though it make not for the Popish opinion of exemption of the Clergie from the Secular power, (for which they plead by this example) yet it condemnes the irreligion of many Christians, who shew little reverence or respect, if not much uncharitablenesse, or contempt toward the Ministers of the Gospel, against whom the men of Egypt in the Day of Judgement shal rise up, and condemne them, as the men of Nineveh, against those that regarded not the preaching of our Saviour, Matthew 12:41.

Genesis 47:23

seed—and you shall sow] This was the last of the seven yeares famine, and the next was to beginne with the returne of former fruitfulnesse.

Genesis 47:25

Pharaohs servants] Tilling the land as his farmers and tenants, and not making claime to any as of their proper right, according to their title and possession in former times.

Genesis 47:29

thy hand under my thigh] See Annot. on Chap. 24. vers. 2.

Genesis 47:30

But I will lie] Heb. I will sleepe. Which may be meant with reference to the resurrection of the dead; which some Papists (with the Sadduces) say, it cannot be proved by the Books of Moses; but here sleeping implieth a waking again, and death is the sleepe, resurrection an awaking from that sleepe.

with my fathers] Jacob had no mind of the company of Idolaters, neither living nor dead: See Annot. on Chap. 23. 9. And he desired to be buried with his fathers for many reasons; as first, because there was the true worship of God most to flourish: secondly, thither his posteritie were to direct their thoughts with expectation of returne out of Egypt: thirdly, there the Sepulchre of their worthy Progenitours might be an incitement to them to the imitation of their lives, and preparation for their ends: lastly, because Christ was in that Countrey to lead his life and to take his death, and thence to rise and raise himselfe to the highest heavens.

Genesis 47:31

Sweare unto me] By exacting an oath of Joseph, he doth not so much shew a mistrust of his simple promise if he had not sworne, as expresse his owne serious desire to be buried out of Egypt; and the rather, that Joseph might doe it with lesse offence to the Egyptians, who, though they would not like the carrying away of Jacobs corps, could not but allow of Josephs keeping of his oath.

bowed himselfe] Some conceive it was to turne himselfe towards the East, or toward Canaan; others, that he bowed towards Joseph as to a great Lord of the Land of Egypt: but first, whatsoever Joseph was in relation to Pharaoh, in which respect (according to his dreame) his father was to doe homage unto him; yet as Jacobs sonne, and in his fathers family he was more ready to performe such an homage to him, (as appeareth, 5: 12.) then to expect any from him: Secondly, Jacob being very devout, especially drawing neere his end, it is reasonable to take his bowing to be religious, since at this time chiefly he had (no doubt) many things in his mind, which might be matter both of prayer to God, and of prayses of God; and though he were aged and weake, he would not present his devotion to God without an outward expression of humilitie. See Annotat. on Chap. 17. vers. 3.

upon his bes head] (1 Kings 1:47.) Or, on the top of his staffe: So the Seventy Jnterpreters turne the Hebrew word; and the Apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrews followeth that Translation, Hebrews 11:21. It seemed the Seventie followed a Copie which had no points, for the same letters varied in one vowell stand for both; for Mittch, is a bed, Mattch, a staffe; the former is preferred, and seemeth the rather to be the right, because the same word is used in the same sense againe, Chap. 48. vers. 2. This difference when it was debated by the Composers of the last Translation of our English Bibles, one of them would have had both readings joyned together thus: Israel bowed himselfe upon his bed-staffe; but that opinion prevailed not: while he thus bowed it was not (for ought appeareth either in this Text, or any part of Jacobs story) with any respect to the East, or towards the Land of Canaan, but his outward gesture with his inward worship were both immediately directed towards God.