Why Did Jacob Bless Pharaoh?
The meeting between Jacob, the aged patriarch of Israel, and Pharaoh, the powerful ruler of Egypt, is one of the most striking scenes in Genesis. When Joseph presents his father to Pharaoh, the Bible tells us:
“And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.”
— Genesis 47:7
Surprisingly, this act is repeated:
“And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.”
— Genesis 47:10
Why would a foreign shepherd—old, weary, and displaced—pronounce a blessing upon the most powerful king in the world? The answer reveals important truths about God’s covenant, Jacob’s spiritual authority, and the theological message of Genesis.
1. Jacob Blessed Pharaoh Because He Carried God’s Covenant Blessing
Jacob was not simply an elderly traveler; he was the bearer of God’s covenant originally given to Abraham. This covenant included:
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God’s presence
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God’s protection
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God’s promise to bless the nations through Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:2–3)
By blessing Pharaoh, Jacob was acting as the representative of God’s chosen line. Even though Pharaoh ruled a mighty empire, Jacob carried the greater spiritual authority because he was the heir of God’s promises.
Hebrews 7:7 explains a principle that helps us understand this moment:
“The lesser is blessed by the greater.”
Though Jacob appeared weaker socially, he was spiritually the greater.
2. Jacob Blessed Pharaoh to Acknowledge God as the True Source of Favor
Egypt was about to give Jacob’s family:
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land (Goshen)
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protection
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food
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survival during the famine
Pharaoh was showing kindness, but Jacob recognized that all blessings ultimately come from God. By offering a blessing, Jacob was:
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acknowledging God’s sovereignty
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honoring Pharaoh’s kindness
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giving credit to God rather than to human power
Jacob’s blessing served as a reminder that even the mightiest kings are under God’s rule.
3. Jacob’s Blessing Showed Gratitude for Pharaoh’s Kindness to Joseph
Pharaoh had placed Joseph in a position of great honor, and because of Joseph’s wisdom, Egypt was spared from famine. Pharaoh not only trusted Joseph but invited his entire family to settle in the best part of the land.
Jacob’s blessing was an expression of deep gratitude:
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gratitude for Joseph’s preservation
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gratitude for the hospitality extended to his family
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gratitude for the chance to live in security during the famine
The blessing functioned as a spiritual gift in return for Egypt’s generosity.
4. Jacob Blessed Pharaoh as a Witness to the Living God
In a land full of false gods—Ra, Osiris, Isis, and others—Jacob’s blessing was a quiet testimony:
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that he served the one true God
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that God’s people acknowledge His supremacy
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that God’s promise extends even to foreign nations
Jacob’s words about his life and age also testified that he had walked with God through suffering and blessing. Pharaoh encountered not just an old man but a man marked by divine dealings.
5. Jacob Blessed Pharaoh Because God’s People Are Called to Bless Others
From the very beginning, God told Abraham:
“You will be a blessing… and through you all nations will be blessed.”
— Genesis 12:2–3
This mission extended through Isaac and Jacob. Jacob’s blessing of Pharaoh is an early fulfillment of this calling. God’s people are to be:
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channels of blessing
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bearers of God’s goodness
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instruments of peace, grace, and truth
Jacob blessing Pharaoh illustrates how God’s covenant family brings spiritual advantage to the nations.
6. Jacob Blessed Pharaoh Because God Was Already Using Egypt for His Purposes
Through Joseph, Egypt became the place where:
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Israel would grow from a family into a nation
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God would protect them during famine
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the promises of Abraham would move toward fulfillment
Jacob’s blessing reflects his recognition that God was working through Egypt to advance His redemptive plan. Pharaoh, knowingly or not, was participating in God’s divine purposes.
Conclusion: A Meeting of Authority and Humility
Jacob blessing Pharaoh was not a reversal of social order—it was a recognition of spiritual order. In this moment:
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Pharaoh represented earthly power.
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Jacob represented divine promise.
Jacob’s blessing flowed from:
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his identity as God’s covenant bearer
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his gratitude
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his faith
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his understanding of God’s sovereignty
This act showed that even in a foreign land, God’s people bring blessing, and God’s purposes stand above the might of nations.
How did Joseph arrange for his family’s survival during the famine?