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Genesis 47:9 - Jacob's lament: life's fleeting struggles

Genesis 47:9 - בראשית 47:9

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יַעֲקֹב אֶל־פַּרְעֹה יְמֵי שְׁנֵי מְגוּרַי שְׁלֹשִׁים וּמְאַת שָׁנָה מְעַט וְרָעִים הָיוּ יְמֵי שְׁנֵי חַיַּי וְלֹא הִשִּׂיגוּ אֶת־יְמֵי שְׁנֵי חַיֵּי אֲבֹתַי בִּימֵי מְגוּרֵיהֶם׃

English Translation

And Ya῾aqov said to Par῾o, The days of the years of my sojournings are a hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojournings.

Transliteration

Vayomer Yaakov el-Paroh yemei shnei megurai sheloshim ume'at shanah me'at vera'im hayu yemei shnei chayai velo hisigu et-yemei shnei chayei avotai bimei megureihem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יַעֲקֹב֙ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֔ה יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵ֣י מְגוּרַ֔י שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה מְעַ֣ט וְרָעִ֗ים הָיוּ֙ יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵ֣י חַיַּ֔י וְלֹ֣א הִשִּׂ֗יגוּ אֶת־יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י אֲבֹתַ֔י בִּימֵ֖י מְגוּרֵיהֶֽם׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יַעֲקֹב֙ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֔ה יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵ֣י מְגוּרַ֔י שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה מְעַ֣ט וְרָעִ֗ים הָיוּ֙ יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵ֣י חַיַּ֔י וְלֹ֣א הִשִּׂ֗יגוּ אֶת־יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י אֲבֹתַ֔י בִּימֵ֖י מְגוּרֵיהֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Yaakov's Response to Pharaoh

When Yaakov tells Pharaoh that his years have been "few and evil" (מְעַט וְרָעִים), Rashi explains that Yaakov is referring to the hardships he endured throughout his life, including:

  • The deception by Lavan (his father-in-law)
  • The loss of his beloved wife Rachel
  • The strife between his sons
  • The disappearance of Yosef for many years

Comparing His Life to His Forefathers

Yaakov notes that his lifespan did not reach that of his father Yitzchak (180 years) or grandfather Avraham (175 years). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 96:1) explains that Yaakov felt his years were shortened due to his statement in Bereishit 47:9 ("few and evil"), demonstrating how words can affect one's destiny.

The Term "Meguray" (מְגוּרַי)

Yaakov uses the word מְגוּרַי ("my sojournings") rather than "my life." Ramban explains this emphasizes that Yaakov viewed his time in this world as temporary, in keeping with the Jewish concept of being strangers in exile. The Kli Yakar adds that this reflects Yaakov's humility before Pharaoh, acknowledging his status as a sojourner rather than a permanent resident.

Numerical Significance

The 130 years mentioned correspond to:

  • 63 years before receiving Yitzchak's blessings (per Seder Olam)
  • 14 years studying in the yeshiva of Shem and Ever
  • 20 years with Lavan
  • 33 years until Yosef's sale (per Seder Olam)

The Baal HaTurim notes that 130 is the numerical value (gematria) of "Sinai" (סיני), hinting at the future giving of Torah to Yaakov's descendants.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Moed Katan 28a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the lifespan of the patriarchs and the concept of 'few and evil days' as it relates to human suffering and divine providence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yaakov (Jacob) say his years were 'few and evil'?
A: Yaakov described his years as 'few and evil' because he endured many hardships in his life, including fleeing from Esav, working for Lavan, the loss of his wife Rachel, and the disappearance of his son Yosef (Joseph). Despite living 147 years (as later mentioned), his life was shorter than his fathers (Avraham lived 175 years, Yitzchak 180 years) and filled with challenges (Rashi on Genesis 47:9).
Q: Why did Yaakov mention his age to Pharaoh?
A: When Pharaoh asked Yaakov his age (as implied by the conversation), Yaakov answered honestly but also reflected on his difficult life. This teaches humility—even a great tzaddik (righteous person) like Yaakov recognized life's hardships rather than boasting about his age or status (Ramban on Genesis 47:8-9).
Q: What does 'they have not attained to the days of my fathers' mean?
A: Yaakov noted that his lifespan was shorter than his ancestors (Avraham and Yitzchak). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 96:1) explains that this reflects a spiritual decline in generations—each generation lived shorter lives as the world moved further from the purity of Creation. However, Yaakov's focus was on serving Hashem despite challenges.
Q: How can we learn from Yaakov's words today?
A: Yaakov's honesty about his struggles teaches us that even righteous people face difficulties. Instead of resenting hardships, we should accept them with faith, recognizing that life's purpose is spiritual growth, not just comfort (based on teachings of the Sforno and Maharal).
Q: Why does the verse say 'sojournings' instead of 'life'?
A: Yaakov used the word 'megurim' (sojournings) instead of 'life' to emphasize that his time on earth was temporary—like a traveler passing through. This reflects the Jewish view that our true home is the World to Come (Olam Haba), and this world is a preparation for it (Talmud, Avodah Zarah 5a; Rambam's Hilchot Teshuva).