Definition: And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage [are] an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 47:9. It’s a really important part of the story of Jacob and his journey to find his father’s blessing. Here’s a simple explanation: Basically, Jacob is saying: “My pilgrimage has lasted for 130 years – and it's been full of trouble and bad luck.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Pilgrimage” : This refers to the long journey Jacob takes to find his father, Isaac. It's a significant and arduous task. “An hundred and thirty years” : This is the key part. He’s saying his journey has lasted exactly 130 years. “Few and evil have the days of my life been…” : This means that during those 130 years, there have been many bad things happen to him – significant hardships, loss, and trouble. It's like a long string of negative events. “…and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” : This is where it gets really powerful. Jacob says that during his 130-year journey, he hasn’t been able to reach the time when his father's people (the Israelites) reached the end of their long journey. He’s saying he’s fallen short of a significant point in history – a crucial period when the Israelites were on their way to becoming a nation. What does this mean? It suggests that Jacob experienced immense suffering and hardship during his 130-year pilgrimage. It's a profound statement about the challenges he faced, and it highlights a sense of loss and disappointment for his family. In essence, this verse paints a picture of a long, difficult journey with significant misfortune. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss the significance of this verse in the Bible? Or would you like me to provide some context about Jacob’s life and his family history?