Jacob Reunites with His Son Joseph and Meets King Pharaoh

46:28-47:12

28 When they reached Egypt, Jacob had Judah go to Joseph ahead of them to get directions from him to Goshen Province. After that, Jacob’s family traveled to Goshen. 29 Then Joseph got his chariot ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. There Joseph greeted his father and hugged him tightly and cried for joy on his shoulder for a long time. 30 Then Israel exclaimed to Joseph, “Now when I die I will be at peace, because I have seen you in person and know that you are still alive!”

31 Then Joseph announced to his brothers and the rest of his father’s family, “I will go to King Pharaoh and inform him, ‘My brothers and the rest of my father’s family have traveled here from the region of Canaan to live near me. 32 The men of my family raise sheep and goats. In fact, they raise all kinds of livestock for a living, and they have brought with them all their sheep and goats and cattle, and everything else that they own.’ 33 So then, when the king summons you and asks you what your occupation is, 34 you should tell him, ‘Sir, ever since the time we were young until now, we have been raising livestock, which is the same occupation that our ancestors had.’ That way he will allow you to live separately in Goshen Province, especially since Egyptians despise everyone who raises sheep.”

47 So Joseph went to King Pharaoh and informed him, “My father and my brothers and their families have come to Egypt from the region of Canaan and are now in Goshen Province. They brought with them their sheep, goats, cattle, and everything else that they own.” 2 Then Joseph brought five of his brothers before Pharaoh and introduced them to him. 3 Then Pharaoh asked them, “What is your occupation?” They answered him, “Your Majesty, we raise sheep for a living, just like our ancestors did.” 4 They also said to him, “We have come here to live for a while in your country. The famine is so severe In the region of Canaan where we come from that there is not enough grass in the fields for our flocks. So then, sir, please let us live in Goshen Province.”

5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have come to live near you, 6 you may choose any part of the land of Egypt for them to live in. In fact, they may live in the best land in the country, in Goshen Province. And if you know that some of them are especially talented at raising livestock, then put them in charge of raising my livestock also.”

7 Then Joseph took his father Jacob and introduced him to King Pharaoh, and Jacob asked God to bless Pharaoh. 8 Then Pharaoh asked Jacob, “Sir, how old are you now?” 9 Jacob answered him, “I have been living in this world for 130 years. My life has been short, with many hardships. In fact, I have not lived nearly as long as my ancestors did during their time on earth.” 10 Then Jacob again asked God to bless Pharaoh and left him.

11 After that, Joseph did what Pharaoh had told him to do: He helped his father and brothers settle in the country of Egypt. He gave them the choicest property in Egypt, which was in Goshen Province, also known as Rameses Province. 12 Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all the rest of his father’s family with as much food as each family needed to feed all the people in their family.