Genesis 47:4 Then they said to Pharaoh, "We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen."

◄ Genesis 47:4 ►

New International Version
They also said to him, “We have come to live here for a while, because the famine is severe in Canaan and your servants’ flocks have no pasture. So now, please let your servants settle in Goshen.”

New Living Translation
We have come to live here in Egypt for a while, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. So please, we request permission to live in the region of Goshen.”

English Standard Version
They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. And now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”

King James Bible
They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

New King James Version
And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.”

New American Standard Bible
They also said to Pharaoh, “We have come to reside in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.”

NASB 1995
They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.”

NASB 1977
And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is heavy in the land of Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.”

Amplified Bible
Moreover, they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live temporarily (sojourn) in the land [of Egypt], for there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants [in our land], for the famine is very severe in Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.”

Christian Standard Bible
And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to stay in the land for a while because there is no grazing land for your servants’ sheep, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please let your servants settle in the land of Goshen.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a while because there is no grazing land for your servants’ sheep, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please let your servants settle in the land of Goshen.”

American Standard Version
And they said unto Pharaoh, To sojourn in the land are we come; for there is no pasture for thy servants' flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

Contemporary English Version
But in our country all the pastures are dried up, and our sheep have no grass to eat. So we, your servants, have come here. Please let us live in the region of Goshen."

English Revised Version
And they said unto Pharaoh, To sojourn in the land are we come; for there is no pasture for thy servants' flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We have come to live in this land for a while. The famine is so severe in Canaan that there's no pasture for our flocks. So please let us live in Goshen."

Good News Translation
"We have come to live in this country, because in the land of Canaan the famine is so severe that there is no pasture for our flocks. Please give us permission to live in the region of Goshen."

International Standard Version
We've come to live for a while in this region, since there is no pasture back in Canaan for your servants' flocks. May your servants please live in the Goshen territory?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”

NET Bible
Then they said to Pharaoh, "We have come to live as temporary residents in the land. There is no pasture for your servants' flocks because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen."

New Heart English Bible
And they said to Pharaoh, "We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks. For the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen."

Webster's Bible Translation
They said moreover to Pharaoh, We have come to sojourn in the land: for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

World English Bible
They also said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live as foreigners in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks. For the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and they say to Pharaoh, “We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for the flock which your servants have, for the famine in the land of Canaan [is] grievous; and now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.”

Young's Literal Translation
and they say unto Pharaoh, 'To sojourn in the land we have come, for there is no pasture for the flock which thy servants have, for grievous is the famine in the land of Canaan; and now, let thy servants, we pray thee, dwell in the land of Goshen.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will say to Pharaoh, To sojourn in the land we came: for no pasture is to the sheep which are to thy servants, for the famine was heavy in the land of Canaan: and at this time now will thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
We are come to sojourn in thy land, because there is no grass for the flocks of thy servants, the famine being very grievous in the land of Chanaan: and we pray thee to give orders that we thy servants may be in the land of Gessen.

Catholic Public Domain Version
We came to sojourn in your land, because there is no grass for the flocks of your servants, the famine being very grievous in the land of Canaan. And we petition you that you may order us, your servants, to be in the land of Goshen.”

New American Bible
We have come,” they continued, “in order to sojourn in this land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, because the famine has been severe in the land of Canaan. So now please let your servants settle in the region of Goshen.”

New Revised Standard Version
They said to Pharaoh, “We have come to reside as aliens in the land; for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now, we ask you, let your servants settle in the land of Goshen.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
They said moreover to Pharaoh, We have come to sojourn in the land; for there is no pasture for your servants' flocks; for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan; now, therefore, let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to dwell in the land, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your Servants, because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan, and now your Servants will dwell in the land of Geshan.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they said unto Pharaoh: 'To sojourn in the land are we come; for there is no pasture for thy servants' flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they said to Pharao, We are come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for the flocks of thy servants, for the famine has prevailed in the land of Chanaan; now then, we will dwell in the land of Gesem. And Pharao said to Joseph, Let them dwell in the land of Gesem; and if thou knowest that there are among them able men, make them overseers of my cattle. So Jacob and his sons came into Egypt, to Joseph; and Pharao, king of Egypt, heard of it.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jacob Settles in Goshen
…3“What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.” 4Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.” 5Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to you,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 12:48-49
If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. / The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.”

Leviticus 25:35-36
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you.

Deuteronomy 10:18-19
He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. / So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Psalm 105:23
Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham.

Isaiah 19:23-25
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. / In that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing upon the earth. / The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.”

Acts 7:11-15
Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. / When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. / On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh. ...

Hebrews 11:9
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

Exodus 1:1-5
These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: / Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; / Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; ...

Deuteronomy 26:5
and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous.

Psalm 105:13
they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

Acts 7:6
God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.

Hebrews 11:13-16
All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ...

Exodus 22:21
You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:34
You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Jeremiah 42:10-12
‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I will relent of the disaster I have brought upon you. / Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear; do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you to save you and deliver you from him. / And I will show you compassion, and he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own land.’

Treasury of Scripture

They said morever to Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for your servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray you, let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

For to.

Genesis 12:10
And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

Genesis 15:13
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

Deuteronomy 26:5
And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

for the famine.

Genesis 43:1
And the famine was sore in the land.

Acts 7:11
Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

let thy.

Genesis 46:34
That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

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Genesis 47

1. Joseph presents his father, and five of his brothers before Pharaoh.
11. He gives them habitation and maintenance.
13. He gets the Egyptian's money;
16. their cattle;
18. and their lands, except the priests', to Pharaoh.
23. He restores the land for a fifth.
28. Jacob's age.
29. He swears Joseph to bury him with his fathers.

Berean Study Bible

We have come
This phrase signifies the arrival and presence of Joseph's brothers in Egypt. In Hebrew, the verb "come" (בּוֹא, bo) often implies a purposeful journey or mission. Their arrival is not just a physical movement but a fulfillment of God's providential plan. Historically, this moment is pivotal as it marks the beginning of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, setting the stage for future events in the biblical narrative.

to live as foreigners
The Hebrew word for "foreigners" (גָּרִים, gerim) indicates temporary residents or sojourners. This reflects the brothers' acknowledgment of their status in a foreign land, dependent on the hospitality and favor of the Egyptians. It also foreshadows the Israelites' future identity as strangers in a land not their own, a recurring theme throughout Scripture that reminds believers of their own transient status on earth.

in the land
This phrase refers to the land of Egypt, a place of refuge during the famine. The land is central to the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises land to Abraham's descendants. Here, Egypt serves as a temporary provision, highlighting God's sovereignty in using even foreign lands to fulfill His purposes.

because there is no pasture
The lack of pasture in Canaan due to severe famine underscores the dire circumstances that drove Jacob's family to seek sustenance in Egypt. This situation illustrates the vulnerability of human life and the dependence on God's provision. It also serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual sustenance that God provides for His people.

for your servants’ flocks
The term "servants" (עֲבָדֶיךָ, avadekha) reflects humility and submission, as Joseph's brothers present themselves as servants to Pharaoh. This humility is a necessary posture before God and authorities, recognizing one's dependence and need for grace. The mention of "flocks" emphasizes the pastoral lifestyle of the patriarchs and the importance of livestock as a source of livelihood and wealth.

the famine is severe
The severity of the famine is a recurring theme in Genesis, highlighting the trials and tribulations faced by God's people. This phrase underscores the intensity of the crisis, which serves as a backdrop for God's miraculous provision and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It reminds believers of God's faithfulness in times of hardship.

in Canaan
Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is currently unable to sustain them due to the famine. This situation serves as a test of faith and reliance on God's promises. It also foreshadows the eventual return and possession of the land by the Israelites, reinforcing the theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant.

Please allow
This polite request demonstrates the brothers' respect and deference to Pharaoh's authority. It reflects the biblical principle of honoring those in authority and seeking favor through humility and supplication. This approach is a model for believers in how to interact with those in positions of power.

your servants
Reiterating their status as servants, the brothers emphasize their willingness to serve and their dependence on Pharaoh's goodwill. This repeated acknowledgment of servitude is a reminder of the believer's position before God as a servant, called to serve Him and others with humility and dedication.

to settle in Goshen
Goshen, a fertile region in Egypt, becomes the dwelling place for Jacob's family. This settlement is a provision from God, ensuring their survival and growth as a nation. Goshen's significance lies in its role as a place of refuge and blessing, symbolizing God's care and provision for His people even in foreign lands. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to provide abundantly for His children, regardless of their circumstances.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) To sojourn.--Joseph's brethren ask for permission only for a temporary stay. Apparently, too, in spite of the famine, there was pasture for cattle in Goshen. They had been able hitherto to keep them alive even in Canaan; and probably the Nile, though it did not overflow, yet on reaching the delta lost itself in swamps, which produced a great quantity of the marsh grass described in Genesis 41:2. We find in this chapter that not only were Pharaoh's herds intact, but also those of the people.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - They said moreover (literally, and they said) unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; - an unconscious fulfillment of an ancient prophecy (Genesis 15:13) - for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks (it was solely the extreme drought that had caused them for a season to vacate their own land); for the famine is sore (literally, heavy) in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell (literally, and now might thy servants dwell, we pray, the future having here the force of an optative) in the land of Goshen.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then they said
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Pharaoh,
פַּרְעֹ֗ה (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

“We have come
בָּאנוּ֒ (bā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to live in the land
בָּאָרֶץ֮ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

for a time,
לָג֣וּר (lā·ḡūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility

because
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

there is no
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

pasture
מִרְעֶ֗ה (mir·‘eh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4829: Pasture, the haunt of wild animals

for the flock
לַצֹּאן֙ (laṣ·ṣōn)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

of your servants,
לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ (la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

since
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the famine
הָרָעָ֖ב (hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Canaan
כְּנָ֑עַן (kə·nā·‘an)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3667: Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordan

has been severe.
כָבֵ֥ד (ḵā·ḇêḏ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3515: Heavy

So now,
וְעַתָּ֛ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

please
נָ֥א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

allow your servants
עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

to settle
יֵֽשְׁבוּ־ (yê·šə·ḇū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Goshen.”
גֹּֽשֶׁן׃ (gō·šen)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1657: Goshen -- a district in Egypt, also a city in southern Judah

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OT Law: Genesis 47:4 They said to Pharaoh We have come (Gen. Ge Gn)