Genesis 47:9

Authorized King James Version

And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

יַֽעֲקֹב֙

H3290

And Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פַּרְעֹ֔ה

H6547

unto Pharaoh

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

בִּימֵ֖י

H3117

The days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שְׁנֵי֙

H8141

of the years

a year (as a revolution of time)

מְגֽוּרֵיהֶֽם׃

H4033

of my pilgrimage

a temporary abode; by extension, a permanent residence

שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים

H7970

and thirty

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וּמְאַ֖ת

H3967

are an hundred

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

#10

שְׁנֵי֙

H8141

of the years

a year (as a revolution of time)

#11

מְעַ֣ט

H4592

few

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

#12

וְרָעִ֗ים

H7451

and evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#13

הָיוּ֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#14

בִּימֵ֖י

H3117

The days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#15

שְׁנֵי֙

H8141

of the years

a year (as a revolution of time)

#16

חַיֵּ֣י

H2416

of my life

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#17

וְלֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#18

הִשִּׂ֗יגוּ

H5381

been and have not attained

to reach (literally or figuratively)

#19

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#20

בִּימֵ֖י

H3117

The days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#21

שְׁנֵי֙

H8141

of the years

a year (as a revolution of time)

#22

חַיֵּ֣י

H2416

of my life

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#23

אֲבֹתַ֔י

of my fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#24

בִּימֵ֖י

H3117

The days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#25

מְגֽוּרֵיהֶֽם׃

H4033

of my pilgrimage

a temporary abode; by extension, a permanent residence

Analysis

Within the broader context of Genesis, this passage highlights creation and providence through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of life connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about life, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Genesis.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of creation and providence, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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