And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was 147 years.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were one hundred forty-seven years.
- KJV And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
- BSB And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.
- NKJV And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.
- NLT Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jacob lives seventeen years in Egypt, reaching 147 years of age. His pilgrimage draws toward its end in peace.
Overview
Jacob spends his final seventeen years in the security of Goshen, cared for by Joseph. The number recalls the seventeen years he had earlier raised Joseph before their separation, a poignant symmetry of restored fellowship. His long life closing in contentment shows God's gracious faithfulness to His servant across many trials.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Ps 90:10The days of our years are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty years; yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for it passes quickly, and we fly away.
- Gen 37:2This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father.
- Gen 47:8–9Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many are the days of the years of your life?”
- Ps 90:12So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
- Ps 119:84How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 47:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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