85 Jacob Blesses Joseph's Children

The text of Genesis 47: 27 states the bountiful existence the Hebrews enjoyed in Egypt under Joseph living in the Eastern Nile Delta. They experienced growth in their possessions, food and family. Over the seventeen years that Jacob lived with his family in Egypt they increased at least an average of five percent per year. This would put their family size nearly one hundred seventy individuals at this time. Jacob saw the effects of the famine in Canaan for two years prior to moving to Egypt. It lasted five years more once he got there. Jacob lived to be one hundred forty seven. His demise is told in extraordinary detail, and several scenes come between the account of his lifespan and his death. Near the time he was sure he was about to die he called Joseph to make and oath regarding his burial. He did not want to be buried in Egypt. It was not his home and it was not the home of his father and grandfather.