Genesis 47:1-12

International Standard Version

Joseph’s Family Settles in Goshen

47 After this, Joseph went to inform Pharaoh. “My father and brothers have come here from Canaan,”^[a] he said, “and they’ve come with their flocks, herds, and everything else they have. I settled them in the Goshen territory!” ² He brought along five of his brothers to present before Pharaoh.

³ Pharaoh asked his brothers, “What are your occupations?”

“Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our ancestors. ⁴ We’ve come to live for a while^[b] in this region, since there is no pasture back in Canaan^[c] for your servants’ flocks. May your servants please live in the Goshen territory?”

⁵ Then Pharaoh replied to Joseph, “Now that your father and your brothers have come to you, ⁶ Egypt^[d] is at your disposal,^[e] so settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land! Let them live in the Goshen territory. If you learn that any of them are especially skilled, put them in charge of my livestock.”

⁷ Later, Joseph brought his father Jacob to Pharaoh and introduced him. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ⁸ “How old are you?”^[f] Pharaoh asked Jacob.

⁹ “I’m 130 years old,” Jacob replied. “My years have turned out to be few and unpleasant, but I haven’t yet reached the age my ancestors did during their travels on earth.”^{[g] 10} Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and then left the throne room.^[h]

¹¹ Joseph settled his father and brothers, assigning them their own land in the best part of Egypt (in the territory of Rameses), just as Pharaoh had ordered. ¹² Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household, proportionate to the number of young children.