Genesis 47:11

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב
placed
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#2
יוֹסֵף֮
And Joseph
joseph, the name of seven israelites
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
אָבִ֣יו
H1
his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#5
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
אֶחָיו֒
and his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#7
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
and gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#8
לָהֶ֤ם
H0
#9
אֲחֻזָּה֙
them a possession
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
#10
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
מִצְרַ֔יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#12
בְּמֵיטַ֥ב
in the best
the best part
#13
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#14
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#15
רַעְמְסֵ֑ס
of Rameses
rameses or raamses, a place in egypt
#16
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
צִוָּ֥ה
had commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#18
פַרְעֹֽה׃
as Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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