Introduction

Greetings! We delve into Genesis Chapter 47. I've realised that previous studies lacked precise focus, hence this upgraded version. As we near the end of this Genesis series, I believe this iteration, if aiming for a bullseye of ten rings, hits seven or eight, even nine in some instances. Earlier renditions likely struck three or four, at most six. Even earlier Genesis studies might have landed one or two, or perhaps missed entirely, amounting to mere conjecture.

Reading the Bible necessitates discerning what God intends to convey through each chapter. This is paramount. Chinese Mingding Destiny places great emphasis on biblical study, particularly on extracting God's intended message, eschewing baseless speculation. While uncertain of the precise rings this chapter strikes, we'll title it "Obtaining Land and Property."

"So Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number." (Genesis 47:27)

This chapter revolves around land and property. It recounts Joseph and his family acquiring the best land in Egypt, the Goshen region where they resided. Subsequently, Joseph appropriated all Egyptian land, placing it under Pharaoh's dominion. Consequently, all Egyptians rented land from Pharaoh, becoming tenants without personal land ownership. The acquisition of land and property is intriguing, and I'll guide you through this perspective.

Joseph went to Pharaoh and said, “My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. They are shepherds, and they have brought with them their flocks and herds and all that they own.” When Pharaoh asks you, “What is your occupation?” you should answer, “Your servants have been shepherds from our boyhood on, just as our fathers were.” Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.” (Genesis 46:31-34)

The previous chapter narrated the arrival of Joseph's father, brothers, and siblings in Egypt. Joseph pre-advised his family that if Pharaoh inquired about their profession, they should declare themselves shepherds. This was strategic, as shepherds could secure the finest land in Egypt. Egyptians, with their own mindset, disdained shepherding. For foreigners like the Israelites, they could take on the jobs Egyptians shunned. Pharaoh, upon realising his livestock lacked caretakers, found experts readily available. Thus, they were granted residence in Goshen, tending Pharaoh's livestock on Egypt's prime land. Joseph might not have mentioned his father to Pharaoh; the Bible doesn't record it. However, Jacob and Joseph undoubtedly discussed their family matters with Pharaoh.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you, and the land of Egypt is open to them. Settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land; let them live in the region of Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.” (Genesis 47:5-6)

So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. (Genesis 47:11)

Pharaoh likely enjoyed stories, such as Jacob's prosperity as a shepherd in Joseph's uncle's household. Jacob's shepherding was undoubtedly expert. This expertise suited Pharaoh perfectly, who was struggling to recruit workers. Livestock required constant care, and with experts arriving, they also gained land.

Now there was no food in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace. When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food! Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.” (Genesis 47:13-15)

“Then bring your livestock,” said Joseph. “I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys. And he brought them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock. (Genesis 47:16-17)

When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.” (Genesis 47:18-19)

So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s. (Genesis 47:20)

Later, Joseph capitalised on the famine, raising grain prices. Don't assume he should have simply distributed food as aid. Aid is the domain of charities. Joseph was in the business of acquiring land, inflating grain prices, compelling the populace to exchange their land, livestock, and money for sustenance. By the third year of famine, the people were destitute, forced to rent land for cultivation. This explains why, centuries later, Egyptians lacked land ownership; all land was state-owned, belonging to Pharaoh. Egyptians rented land, paying rent, becoming tenants. As Jacob neared death, he requested Joseph to return him to Canaan. This chapter recounts these anecdotes, collectively focusing on obtaining land and property.

Spiritual Matters and Worldly Matters

To this day, I believe many Christians misunderstand. Many equate secular work with worldly pursuits, while attending church gatherings is deemed spiritual. The Bible doesn't delineate spiritual and worldly matters in this manner. Some argue that Jacob's family acquiring land and property in Egypt signifies a love for the world. Others criticise Joseph's grain acquisition during prosperous years and subsequent price gouging during famine as greedy and worldly. Such interpretations lack basis. Joseph, being with God and having Mingding Destiny, certainly wasn't mistaken.

Here, I summarise: anything related to survival is spiritual. For instance, Joseph's acquisition of land and property was divinely ordained. From birth to death, one must attain Mingding Destiny, for those with Mingding Destiny have God's presence. With God's presence, survival becomes straightforward; without it, it becomes complex.

God promised His people this land. He never declared life as futile or questioned the purpose of land. "With God, all is sufficient" is not the biblical message. The Bible states that for those with God's presence and Mingding Destiny, God's promises pertain to land.

God instructed Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth, not heaven. This relates to "earth." Governing the earth also relates to "earth," not heaven. Heaven requires no governance from us; it's well-managed. Allowing us to govern would likely create chaos. Therefore, land and property are spiritual matters. Survival necessitates resources, with land being paramount.

What is futility? Futility is not being bound by these possessions. They are yours, not the other way around. Some become unclear whether their company exists for them or vice versa. Living for the company or a house is destructive.

Recent sermons emphasised joyful living, urging believers to understand spiritual matters. Some aspire to heaven, yet the call is to return and govern the earth. Don't envision heaven as a playground, like Sichuan with its mahjong and hotpot. Humans were created to govern and fill the earth. In any era, acquiring land and property requires foresight and prescience.

For example, rushing to buy property during a boom, only to face a price crash, is unfortunate. If you've experienced such a crash, the memory is painful. Yet, blame no one but yourself for not being spiritual, for loving the world excessively. Survival is spiritual; without spirituality, one blindly follows the crowd, leading to foolishness. The key is God's presence, granting foresight and prescience. Foolishness stems from not knowing God.

Joseph's foresight and prescience were remarkable. Before being sold into Egypt, he foresaw his future role as his family's saviour. Upon arriving in Egypt, he interpreted Pharaoh's dream. That dream was Joseph's business secret, not to be divulged to the Egyptians. Had they known, they would have hoarded grain, nullifying Joseph's advantage.

Having foresight and prescience is extraordinary. Some perceive my teachings on Mingding Destiny as brainwashing. I'm advocating living according to God's word, ensuring His presence and foreknowledge of future events. At 39, Joseph could foresee events from age 17. Without vision, worldly pursuits lead to tragedy. Survival is spiritual, and property acquisition is spiritual. Blessings are essential.

Land and Property as Resources

Land is crucial. For a nation's development, land is a vital resource. Structures built on land constitute property. Land and property are resources. The Bible values wisdom alongside property, not against it. A life devoid of property is tragic.

Some believers prefer renting, but I advocate for property ownership. The world's wealthy own property. Resources are vital. Many poor lack property. In Hong Kong, many rent, and our colleagues there face exorbitant rents. Land and property are resources. One must acquire resources during their lifetime.

Joseph possessed abundant resources. Shift your mindset. Don't feign insight while being penniless, proclaiming to be a blessing to many. Focus on receiving blessings yourself. Resources aren't for the greedy, but for those who love God. When I urge loving God, some believe they already do. If you're content, I won't argue.

Would those who love God lack resources? Heavenly and earthly resources are ours. Resources are crucial. Some possess resources despite appearing inactive. Some companies are innovative, relying on human resources. Others depend on natural resources, like the Middle East's oil. Extracting and selling oil is lucrative. The intense competition for land stems from its status as a vital resource.

Chinese ancestors recognised land as a crucial resource, incorporating it into China's territory. Land and property are resources. Without resources, nothing can be accomplished. Opportunity is essential for resource development, and God controls opportunity. Some accumulate resources, while others wither. Imagine buying a house in Beijing, only to face a price crash, losing millions earned over a lifetime. Such heartache is avoidable.

Joseph's Resources Enabled Him to Bless and Save His Family

God's actions are wondrous. Joseph, initially having Mingding Destiny, dreamt in Genesis 37, leading to his sale into Egypt to manage resources. He rose to a position second only to Pharaoh, wielding power and shaping policy. Policy decisions determine beneficiaries. In Shenzhen, a saying goes that an old man drew a circle, and those within it prospered. This has little to do with personal ability. If I transform you into a resource, don't foolishly attribute success to being within the circle. If you become the circle-drawer, that's remarkable! Joseph was the circle-drawer in Goshen, making it valuable for Jacob, Simeon, and Reuben.

Land is necessary for building houses. You can't build on the moon. Joseph was the circle-drawer in Egypt, negotiating with Pharaoh to establish an economic development zone, creating resources. As a policy-maker and Egyptian steward, he directed policy and secured the best land for his family. Don't assume a withered life is preferable.

I encountered a poor pastor and offered advice, but he dismissed it, deeming me worldly and materialistic. He claimed his poverty left him with only spiritual assets. "Dry goods," withered and unprosperous. Even Job, not particularly pleasing to God, was made wealthy. How much more should those who please God prosper? Being poor and only spiritual is questionable.

A poor mind leads to external poverty, and vice versa. I often assess spiritual condition through physical and financial health. Poverty or illness indicates a lack of spirituality. While health alone doesn't guarantee spirituality, selfishness and cancerous traits hinder healing. A poor and unspiritual mind breeds poverty.

My aim is to transform you into resource-possessing individuals like Joseph. Some dream of blessing others but feel inadequate. While not yet realised, it's attainable! Become a resource today! While my vision is not yet fully achieved, I strive to make you resources, opportunities, with foresight and prescience, because God is with you!

I want you to be intelligent, to be circle-drawers, resource-possessing individuals like Joseph. One of our brothers, bankrupt and unable to afford high-speed rail or flights, recently emerged from poverty, able to fly to another city. This comforts me. He's doing well and owes me a favour. Many owe me favours because I am a resource. I aim to make you talented, resourceful, and knowledgeable.

China's economic transformation is underway. Previously reliant on resources, the shift has left many behind, deemed valueless. ChatGPT, AI art, and AI voice are emerging, creating better advertisements than humans, leading to job losses.

China's economy is transitioning to a creative industry, not relying on resource wealth. Russia relies on land resources, the Middle East on oil. These are resource-based nations. We must rely on technology, creativity, and creative human resources. To become a human resource, you need God. Life without God is difficult!

Joseph's resources enabled him to bless and save his family. At a young age, 15 or 16, he harboured dreams and became a resource creator, creative, knowledgeable, possessing opportunity, foresight, and prescience.

Don't assume following me will lead to hardship. A cancer patient, healed twice through my ministry, questioned his son's following me, fearing hardship. I almost laughed. Egyptians lived well, but famine struck, making them Pharaoh's tenants. Without God, one becomes a tenant, lacking resources.

David, highly pleasing to God, shared Joseph's experience of being hunted for thirteen years. Both were 17, one sold into Egypt, the other pursued by Saul. After thirteen years, Joseph became prime minister at 30, and David became king of Israel at 30. Later, David donated approximately two hundred tons of gold to build God's temple, all from his personal wealth.

Opportunities and Resources

How do opportunities arise? Joseph's first opportunity was being sold into Egypt. However, diligently working didn't immediately create opportunities, but it was the beginning. Later, the mistress's affection for Joseph was not an opportunity but a trap. Joseph's refusal to yield to her advances led to false accusations and imprisonment. Imprisonment brought him a step closer to the center of power, where he encountered a national-level official. Joseph made a strong impression on this official because, with God's presence, his interpretations of dreams were remarkably accurate.

Then, Joseph made his final leap to become the Prime Minister of Egypt under Pharaoh, second only to him, above tens of thousands. Joseph's former master, Potiphar, was under his jurisdiction. Once a small slave in their household, now even a glance from Joseph required a prior appointment. These challenges were opportunities one after another. Pharaoh's dream was Joseph's opportunity. Then came seven years of abundance and seven years of famine, but for Joseph, whether in plenty or scarcity, his life was full of opportunities.

We must view issues with spiritual eyes, seeing good in everything. Joseph being sold into Egypt and even imprisoned were all opportunities in the making. Once an opportunity came, he rose several levels, becoming Prime Minister at the young age of 30. Joseph seized opportunities accurately. Egyptians disliked herding and preferred farming. Joseph taught his brothers to do the opposite, taking over the Pharaoh's sheep, gaining the land of Goshen. The best land in Egypt was thus acquired by Joseph's family. These are opportunities and resources.

Then they said to Pharaoh, “Because of the famine in the land of Canaan, your servants have come to stay here, for the flocks of your servants have no pasture. So now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them dwell in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.” (Genesis 47:4-6)

Therefore, be wary of local mindsets. Having travelled to many cities, I've found that places locals dislike might be opportunities, while places they favor are no longer opportunities. For example, in Shenzhen, Bao'an District was initially overlooked, with Nanshan and Luohu Districts developing first. Luohu District was opposite Hong Kong, a port. Who knew that a great flood would raise the house prices in Bao'an District?

Ponder this: many places in China have local mindsets. Egyptians looked down on shepherding, but Joseph had his brothers herd sheep, seizing the opportunity and gaining resources.

Wisdom and Resources

Don't think you've seen through everything and just live like that. If you lack the wisdom to seize opportunities when they come, it can be fatal. From Joseph's style of doing things, he didn't aim to be a good person but a wise one. Never aim to be a good person, because wanting to be good can ruin things; be a wise person.

For example, during the famine, Joseph had grain. In the first year, people saw the price of grain rise to 10 units per weight, sold their grain, and took the money home, feeling good. But the famine wasn't over, and they had no grain left. Seeing the price rise to 100 units per weight, they took out their gold and jewelry to buy grain to survive, knowing that it might cost twice as much if they didn't buy it then. This is wisdom.

Many who read this don't understand and say Joseph was ruthless. Only the wise understand. Later, the Egyptians thanked Joseph for saving their lives. Why didn't Joseph open the granaries for disaster relief? The first step was to earn back the assets, then the jewelry, and then all the land, and then collect rent. Those who don't understand think Joseph was heartless, but those who understand see wisdom in Joseph's actions, that is, controlling resources. Once a person sees through this, it becomes easy.

I'll share a concept: the wealth of this world is unrighteous wealth. Joseph, as Prime Minister under Pharaoh, earned a lot of money for his boss, making him a good steward in the boss's eyes. What the Egyptians thought didn't matter; what Pharaoh thought was crucial. Some people are foolish, ruining every company they join, becoming "garbage people."

Joseph's transactions with the Egyptians were fair; they came to Joseph to buy grain. Joseph had the grain, so he set the price. Those with gold would die if they ate it, but those with grain could survive. Understand that money is unrighteous, but harming people for money is wrong. It's normal for an employee to make money for the boss, provided they don't sell drugs or do illegal things. Joseph earning money from the Egyptians was normal. In the New Testament, there's a passage about an unrighteous steward who gave away his master's wealth.

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. (Luke 16:1-2)

Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. (Luke 16:3-4)

So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. (Luke 16:5-7)

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Luke 16:8-9)

The unrighteous steward, the clever steward, gave away his master's wealth, unrighteous wealth, paving the way for the future, which is called clever. Joseph collected money from the people, and the steward gave away his master's property, forgiving debts. Don't take unrighteous wealth so seriously. Didn't the Egyptians live without that wealth?

Joseph didn't do anything unconscionable; it was a fair transaction. One was willing to buy, and the other was willing to sell. If it was unreasonable, they didn't have to buy. So, be a wise person, a good steward. Joseph was wise in God's eyes, not entangled by these things. Seize every opportunity, be wise, because so-called good people are foolish. With a good-hearted mentality, you can't do good shepherding or business. By a good-hearted mentality, I mean always wanting to help people with money. It's good for the Egyptians to work hard, lest they think too much at home and develop cancer.

Obtaining God's Promised Land

Joseph's promised land is with God. His dream is to be a blessing and salvation to his family. From later chapters, we know that Joseph's dream is the land of Canaan given by God, telling the Israelites to carry his bones when they leave Egypt. Joseph's coffin was never buried, remaining above ground for nearly four hundred years. The Israelites carried Joseph's bones out of Egypt, wanting to go to Canaan even in death, for that is the place God gave him.

Joseph had plenty of resources in Egypt, but no matter how good they were, they weren't given by God. He still had to enter the promised land God gave him. Today, you might have bought a house in Shenzhen, Chongqing, or another first- or second-tier city, but let our hearts be connected to God's promised land. We don't live on this earth to eat and drink luxuriously without knowing what God's promise is.

Like Joseph, Jacob's stay in Egypt was temporary. God wanted him to come and become a great nation of three million people. Know that people must set their hearts on God's kingdom and promises. Other things we gain are temporary. People live on earth for one hundred and thirty years or seventy or eighty years, and after death, they must respond to the promised land, for they live in eternity.

Although we know from the flesh that people will be resurrected from the dead, we don't know what resurrection is like. It doesn't matter; I believe I live in eternity. A person living in eternity, with the glorious hope of eternity, hopes that God will redeem our bodies in the future, allowing us to be resurrected from the dead, obtain the promised land, and enter eternity.

Our God is the God of the living. We are in eternity today and will live forever. God will bring us to the promised land. Although we are still in the land of Egypt today, still in the world, one day we will return to the promised land God has prepared for us. I live each day with this hope. I don't want to be lazy; I want to be a faithful steward. I don't want to covet enjoyment; I just want to return to the promised land God has prepared for me. I know that not one of God's words will fail. In this short time on earth, I will experience God's presence and the opportunities, wisdom, and resources that God's presence gives me, which is so wonderful.

I live in God's promise today. Thank God that we live in this day, four thousand years later, when Jesus Christ has already come into the world. Later, after Jesus ascended to heaven, the Apostle Paul took over the baton of the gospel and continued to run forward, establishing God's glorious church. In the blink of an eye, we have come to our time, and God has handed the baton to me. I am not afraid of hardship and fatigue, constantly running forward. If I can be a blessing to one person, I will never be lazy. If I can be a blessing to ten people, I will rush to twenty.

Some people still think I am using psychological manipulation, brainwashing everyone. But no, I just hope that everyone can be like me, filled with the glorious hope of eternity in this world, looking down on everything in the world, and finally obtaining abundant resources on earth. God wants to use us in this generation. Recently, I received a call from someone I used to know who speaks English. I once gave him a Chinese book I wrote. He couldn't read it, so he gave it to a Chinese pastor in Malaysia. After reading it, the pastor loved it and asked if I had more. I said not only did I have more, but I could also give him the copyright, so he could print as many as he wanted, or even I could help him print them.

Our God is the God of the living. While we are alive, we see God's presence, and God gives us abundant grace, opportunities, wisdom, and resources to be a blessing to many people. In this era, we must rise up and be greatly used by God, like Joseph. We must come out of our own concepts and obtain land and property! It's good for our brothers and sisters to have land and property; that is obtaining resources!

May God bless everyone!

Genesis Chapter 47

47:1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
47:2 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
47:3 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
47:4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we beseech thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
47:5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
47:6 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
47:7 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
47:8 And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
47:10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
47:11 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.
47:12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families.
47:13 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.
47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
47:16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you bread for your cattle, if money fail.
47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
47:19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
47:20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.
47:21 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.
47:22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
47:23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
47:24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for your little ones.
47:25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.
47:26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's.
47:27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
47:28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
47:29 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
47:30 But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
47:31 And he said, Swear unto me; and he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.