The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.

GENESIS 47:6KJV
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Genesis 47:6 (KJV)

What does Genesis 47:6 mean?

Genesis 47:6 records Pharaoh telling Joseph that Joseph’s family can settle in the best part of Egypt, specifically the land of Goshen, and that if any of Joseph’s brothers are skilled, they can be put in charge of Pharaoh’s livestock. Pharaoh is offering both a place to live and an opportunity for responsibility to Joseph’s family.

Pharaoh is speaking to Joseph after Joseph’s family arrives in Egypt due to famine. Pharaoh gives Joseph the authority to choose where his father and brothers will live, highlighting the favor Joseph has earned. The mention of “men of activity” suggests Pharaoh is interested in capable workers, especially to oversee his cattle, showing trust in Joseph’s judgment and his family’s abilities.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 47:6

  • The word for “activity” is חַיִל (chayil), which often means strength, ability, or competence. Here, it points to men who are not just physically strong but also capable and trustworthy—qualities Pharaoh wants in those managing his livestock.
  • The word for “rulers” is שַׂר (sar), meaning a leader or official. Pharaoh is not just offering jobs as laborers but positions of authority, indicating significant trust and respect for Joseph’s family.
  • The land “Goshen” גֹּשֶׁן (goshen) is singled out as the best part of Egypt for grazing and living, showing Pharaoh’s generosity and the privileged status Joseph’s family receives.

Why Genesis 47:6 matters

  • Genesis 47:6 clears up that Joseph’s family was not just given any land, but the best available, showing the high regard Pharaoh had for Joseph.
  • The verse highlights that Pharaoh was open to foreigners (Joseph’s family) holding positions of trust and authority, which is notable in the context of ancient Egypt.
  • This verse connects to the larger story of how the Israelites came to live in Egypt, setting the stage for later events in the biblical narrative.

Where else these words appear

“best” Hebrew H4315 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 47:11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
  • Exodus 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
  • 1 Samuel 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

“Goshen” Hebrew H1657 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 45:10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
  • Genesis 47:1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
  • Exodus 8:22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

“cattle” Hebrew H4735 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
  • Exodus 9:4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel.
  • Judges 18:21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.

“knowest” Hebrew H3426 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
  • 1 Samuel 23:23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
  • Psalms 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.