CHAPTER XLVII _Joseph informs Pharaoh that his father and brethren are_ _arrived in Goshen_, 1. _He presents five of his brethren before the king_, 2, _who questions them concerning their occupation; they inform_ _him that they are_ shepherds, _and request permission to dwell_ _in the land of_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:2. _HE TOOK SOME OF HIS BRETHREN_] There is something very strange in the original; literally translated it signifies "from the end or extremity (מקצה _miktseh_) of his brethren he took five men." This has been understood _six_ different ways. 1. Joseph took five of his brethren th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:6. _IN THE BEST OF THE LAND MAKE THY FATHER AND BRETHREN TO_ _dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell_] So it appears that the land of Goshen was the _best of the land of Egypt_. _MEN OF ACTIVITY_] אנשי חיל _anshey chayil, stout_ or _robust_ _men _- such as were capable of bear... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:7. _JACOB BLESSED PHARAOH._] Saluted him on his entrance with _Peace be unto thee_, or some such expression of respect and good will. For the meaning of the term _to bless_, as applied to God and man, Genesis 2:3, Genesis 2:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:9. _THE DAYS OF THE YEARS OF MY PILGRIMAGE_] מגורי _megurai_, of my _sojourning_ or _wandering_. Jacob had always lived a migratory or wandering life, in different parts of Canaan, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, scarcely ever at rest; and in the places where he lived longest, always expos... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:14. _GATHERED UP ALL THE MONEY_] i. e., by selling corn out of the public stores to the people; and this he did till the money failed, Genesis 47:15, till all the money was exchanged for corn, and brought into Pharaoh's treasury. Be sides the _fifth_ part of the produce of the seven... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:16. _GIVE YOUR CATTLE_] This was the wisest measure that could be adopted, both for the preservation of the _people_ and of the _cattle_ also. As the people had not grain for their own sustenance, consequently they could have none for their cattle; hence the cattle were in the most... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:18. _WHEN THAT YEAR WAS ENDED_] The sixth year of the famine, _they came unto him the second year_, which was the _last_ or _seventh_ year of the famine, in which it was necessary to sow the land that there might be a crop the succeeding year; for Joseph, on whose prediction they _r... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:19. _BUY US AND OUR LAND FOR BREAD_] In times of famine in _Hindostan_, thousands of children have been sold to prevent their perishing. In the Burman empire the sale of _whole families_ to discharge debts is very common. - _Ward's Customs_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:21. _AND AS FOR THE PEOPLE, HE REMOVED THEM TO CITIES_] It is very likely that Joseph was influenced by no _political_ motive in removing the people to the cities, but merely by a motive of _humanity_ and _prudence_. As the corn was laid up in the cities he found it more convenient... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:22. _THE LAND OF THE PRIESTS BOUGHT HE NOT_] From this verse it is natural to infer that whatever the religion of Egypt was, it _was established by law_ and supported by the _state_. Hence when Joseph bought all the lands of the Egyptians for Pharaoh, he bought not the land of the p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:23. _I HAVE BOUGHT YOU THIS DAY AND YOUR LAND FOR PHARAOH_] It fully appears that the kingdom of Egypt was previously to the time of Joseph a very limited monarchy. The king had his estates; the priests had their lands; and the common people their patrimony independently of both. T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:24. _YE SHALL GIVE THE FIFTH_ PART _UNTO PHARAOH_] This is precisely the case in _Hindostan_; the king has the _fifth part_ of all the crops.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:26. _AND JOSEPH MADE IT A LAW_] That the people should hold their land from the king, and give him the _fifth_ part of the produce as a yearly tax. Beyond this it appears the king had no farther demands. The whole of this conduct of Joseph has been as strongly _censured_ by some as... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:29. _PUT - THY HAND UNDER MY THIGH_] Genesis 24:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:30. _I WILL LIE WITH MY FATHERS_] As God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his posterity, Jacob considered it as a consecrated place, under the particular superintendence and blessing of God: and as Sarah, Abraham, and Isaac were interred near to Hebron, he in all proba... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 47:31. _AND ISRAEL BOWED HIMSELF UPON THE BED'S HEAD._] Jacob was now both old and feeble, and we may suppose him reclined on his couch when Joseph came; that he afterwards sat up erect (see Genesis 48:2) while conversing with his son, and receiving his oath and promise; and that when... [ Continue Reading ]