Genesis 47:28

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.

Study Bible

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years,

Jacob entered Egypt during famine, yet God used Joseph’s position of authority to preserve the covenant family. The final seventeen years of Jacob’s life were spent in Goshen, where his household was sustained and multiplied. After decades marked by exile, family conflict, bereavement, and fear, Jacob saw Joseph restored and his descendants settled securely. Egypt was not Israel’s promised inheritance, but it became the place where God protected Abraham’s family and prepared them to become a great nation.

Gen 45:10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me…
Gen 46:6 They also took the livestock and possessions…

and the length of his life was 147 years.

Jacob died having witnessed God’s faithfulness through every season of his troubled life. Though his years were fewer than those of Abraham and Isaac, the Lord fulfilled His covenant promises by preserving Jacob, restoring his family, and establishing his sons as the heads of Israel’s tribes. His death in Egypt also anticipates Israel’s future bondage and deliverance, for Jacob would soon require that his burial place remain in Canaan, testifying that God’s promise ultimately rested on the land He had given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Gen 35:28 And Isaac lived 180 years.
Gen 25:7 Abraham lived a total of 175 years.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jacob (Israel)
The patriarch of the Israelites, Jacob is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. His life in Egypt marks a significant period where the Israelites begin their sojourn in a foreign land.

2. Egypt
The land where Jacob and his family settled during a time of famine. Egypt becomes a place of refuge and provision for Jacob's family, setting the stage for future events in Israelite history.

3. Seventeen Years
The period Jacob lived in Egypt before his death. This time represents a phase of peace and prosperity for Jacob and his family, despite being in a foreign land.

4. 147 Years
The total lifespan of Jacob, which reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to him and his ancestors regarding longevity and blessing.

Teaching Points

God's Faithfulness in Foreign Lands
Jacob's life in Egypt demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises, even when His people are in foreign lands. Believers can trust that God is with them, regardless of their circumstances or location.

The Importance of Family Legacy
Jacob's time in Egypt was spent with his family, ensuring the continuation of God's covenant promises. Christians are encouraged to invest in their families, passing down faith and values to future generations.

Life's Seasons and God's Timing
The seventeen years Jacob spent in Egypt were a season of peace and fulfillment. Believers should recognize that life has different seasons, and God's timing is perfect in each one.

Longevity and Purpose
Jacob's 147 years reflect a life lived with purpose under God's guidance. Christians are reminded to seek God's purpose for their lives, regardless of their age or stage in life.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jacob's experience in Egypt reflect God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our own "foreign lands" or challenging situations?

2. In what ways can we, like Jacob, ensure that our family legacy aligns with God's purposes and promises?

3. How can we discern and embrace the different seasons of life that God leads us through, as seen in Jacob's seventeen years in Egypt?

4. What lessons can we learn from Jacob's long life about living with purpose and faithfulness to God?

5. How does the account of Jacob in Egypt connect to the broader account of God's plan for Israel, and what implications does this have for understanding God's plan for our lives today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 46:1-7
This passage describes Jacob's journey to Egypt, highlighting God's reassurance to Jacob about moving to a foreign land. It connects to Genesis 47:28 by showing the fulfillment of God's promise to be with Jacob in Egypt.

Hebrews 11:21
This verse in the New Testament references Jacob's faith, particularly at the end of his life, which ties back to his time in Egypt and his trust in God's promises.

Exodus 1:1-7
The beginning of Exodus recounts the growth of Jacob's family in Egypt, setting the stage for the eventual Exodus. This connection shows the continuation of God's plan for Israel, which began with Jacob's move to Egypt.