And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

GENESIS 46:31KJV
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Genesis 46:31 (KJV)

What does Genesis 46:31 mean?

Genesis 46:31 describes Joseph’s plan to make his family’s arrival known to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. Joseph speaks as the family’s representative, preparing to present them to the man who governs the country where they have just arrived.

After Joseph’s reunion with his father in verse 29, he addresses both his brothers and the wider family. The phrase “my father’s house” includes more than the building where Jacob lived: it refers to the family group connected to him.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 46:31

  • “house” — בַּיִת (bayit): This word can mean a house or a household. Here it helps describe Joseph’s extended family as a group, not simply a place.
  • “shew” — נָגַד (nagad): This word often means to tell or make something known. In the KJV, Joseph is saying he will report the family’s arrival to Pharaoh.

Why Genesis 46:31 matters

  • Joseph identifies the newcomers by their relationship to him and by the place they came from. His planned words, “my brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan,” give Pharaoh both details.
  • The report prepares for a conversation about where the family will live. In verses 32–34, Joseph discusses their work with livestock and tells them how to answer Pharaoh; in Genesis 47:1–6, the question of their settlement comes before Pharaoh.

Where else these words appear

“Canaan” Hebrew H3667 · used in 91 verses

  • Genesis 9:18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
  • Genesis 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
  • Numbers 35:14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.