What does Genesis 46:30 mean?

Jacob and his large family have left behind the Promised Land of Canaan. They arrived in the land of Goshen in Egypt, at the request of the ruler, known by the title of Pharaoh (Genesis 45:16–20). Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers many years earlier (Genesis 37:24–28), has provided a place for Jacob and his descendants to ride out the severe famine in the region (Genesis 45:9–11). Jacob has only recently learned that Joseph is alive, thinking him dead all these years (Genesis 37:31–34).

When Jacob first learned of Joseph's supposed death—a lie told by his jealous older sons (Genesis 37:4,8)—he expressed intense grief. As is common in many languages and cultures, he phrased this in terms of death: mourning so powerful that he felt it would kill him (Genesis 37:35). After being reunited with the son he thought dead, Jacob says something similar but from a positive perspective. He again references death, but this time with a sense of joy and peace; he can die fulfilled and happy since he has seen Joseph alive. As it happens, Jacob will live several more years before dying in Egypt. He will be buried by Joseph at the family tomb back in the land of Canaan (Genesis 50).

Joseph's next step is to prepare his family to live in harmony with the Egyptian people. This includes an understanding of local culture and prejudices (Genesis 46:31–34).