27 So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly.
28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.
29 When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt,
30 but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.”
31 Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.
The writer skillfully transitions (v.27) from a reference to Israel the person—i.e., “And Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen,” in which the verb is singular—to the first biblical reference to Israel the people—i.e., “and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became exceedingly numerous,” in which the verbs are all plural. the wording of this latter statement also recalls that of God’s promise to Abraham—e.g., as in Genesis 17:6: “I will make you exceedingly fruitful”—thus connecting this future state of affairs to (and hence reiterating) the important theme of God’s covenant faithfulness. — Wechsler, page 262.
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