Genesis 47:27 (KJV)

What does Genesis 47:27 mean?

Genesis 47:27 says that the people of Israel settled in Egypt, specifically in the region of Goshen, where they gained property, prospered, and their numbers increased greatly. This verse highlights a time of growth and stability for Jacob's family after moving to Egypt during a famine.

The verse is part of the story where Jacob (also called Israel) and his family have come to Egypt at Joseph’s invitation. Pharaoh has given them the land of Goshen, a fertile area suitable for their livestock. Genesis 47:27 marks a turning point, showing that despite being foreigners in Egypt, the Israelites are thriving and multiplying, setting the stage for their later history.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 47:27

• "Grew" (פָּרָה, parah): This word means to be fruitful or to flourish. Its use here emphasizes not just survival, but active prosperity and increase in well-being.
• "Multiplied" (רָבָה, rabah): This word means to become numerous. The text stresses that the Israelites didn’t just grow a little—they became a large group, which will become important in the story of Exodus.
• "Exceedingly" (מְאֹד, me'od): This word means "very" or "greatly." The verse uses it to underline just how much the Israelites increased, not just in numbers but also in strength and influence.

Why Genesis 47:27 matters

• Genesis 47:27 clarifies that the Israelites’ prosperity in Egypt was significant, not just a small improvement, which helps explain later Egyptian concerns about their growing numbers.
• The verse connects to God’s earlier promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob about making their descendants numerous, showing those promises being fulfilled even in a foreign land.
• This verse sets up the context for the book of Exodus, where the Israelites’ rapid growth becomes a central issue, eventually leading to their enslavement and the story of their deliverance.