Genesis 47:8

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 47:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How many are the days of the years of thy life?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How many are the days of the years of thy life?
Genesis 47:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 47

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How many are the days of the years of thy life?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, how old [art] thou?] Or, “how many are the days of the years of thy life?” which way of speaking Jacob takes up, and very pertinently makes use of in his answer that follows: Dr. Lightfoot f1831 thinks Pharaoh had never seen so old a man before, so grave a head, and so grey a beard, and in admiration asked this question.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?--The question was put from the deep and impressive interest which the appearance of the old patriarch had created in the minds of Pharaoh and his court. In the low-lying land of Egypt and from the artificial habits of its society, the age of man was far shorter among the inhabitants of that country than it had yet become in the pure bracing climate and among the simple mountaineers of Canaan. The Hebrews, at least, still attained a protracted longevity.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Jacob in Goshen 11. רעמסס ra‛mesês, Ra‘meses “son of the sun.” 31. מטה mı̂ṭṭāh, “bed.” מטה maṭṭeh “staff.” Arrangements are now made for the settlement of Israel in Goshen. The administration of Joseph during the remaining years of the famine is then recorded. For the whole of this period his father and brothers are subject to him, as their political superior, according to the reading of his early dreams. We then approach to the death-bed of Jacob, and hear him binding Joseph by an oath to bury him in the grave of his fathers. Genesis 47:1-12 Joseph announces to Pharaoh the arrival of his kindred. “Of the whole of his brethren,” more exactly from the end of his brethren. Five men, a…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification