Genesis 47:13-27

God’s provision of land and food for Pharaoh 47:13-27

This section demonstrates the fulfillment of Jacob’s blessing on Pharaoh (Genesis 46:31 to Genesis 47:6 and Genesis 47:7-10). Joseph was able to save Egypt and its neighbors from a very severe famine and to alleviate the desperate plight of the Egyptians. Pharaoh received money from Egypt and Canaan (Genesis 47:13-14), livestock (Genesis 47:15-17), land and slaves (Genesis 47:18-21; Genesis 47:23; Genesis 47:25), and 20 percent of future harvests (Genesis 47:23-26). Such a tax was not out of line with what was common in that day in the ancient Near East. Really it was small since the average was 33 and one third percent. [Note: Waltke, Genesis, p. 591; Thomas, pp. 451-52. See Brian Alexander McKenzie, "Jacob’s Blessing of Pharaoh: An Interpretation of Genesis 46:31-47:26," Westminster Theological Journal 45 (Fall 1983):386-99.] God blessed Pharaoh because he had blessed the Israelites with the best of Egypt. Later, in Moses’ time, God cursed another Pharaoh because he had dealt harshly with the Israelites (cf. Genesis 12:3).

"This entire situation informs the meaning of Exodus 1:8-11, which states that a new king came to power who did not know Joseph. Consequently-and ironically-that king began to enslave the Israelites to work in his projects. Had he remembered Joseph, he would have realized how loyal and faithful Israel could be in their sojourn in the land. Because this Pharaoh treated Israel well, they flourished, and he became powerful and wealthy; but because that new king treated Israel harshly, he would have none of the blessing of God, nor would he be able to hinder the prosperity of the people of God. From the beginning to the end of the Egyptian sojourn, prosperity and growth came from God’s blessing. Those who acknowledged it shared in it." [Note: Ross, Creation and . . ., p. 687. Cf. 12:3.]