Genesis 47:19

Translations

Modern

Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food. Then we, along with our land, will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

Traditional

Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.

Literal

Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we will be—we and our land—servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed, and we will live and not die, that the land will not be desolate.”

Latin

Cur ergo moriemur te vidente? et nos et terra nostra tui erimus: eme nos in servitutem regiam, et præbe semina, ne pereunte cultore redigatur terra in solitudinem.

Original

Hebrew

English

Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food. Then we, along with our land, will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

Notes

Genesis 47:13–26

The Lord blessed Pharaoh because Pharaoh was blessing Abraham’s descendants (12:3). Through Joseph’s smart management in Egypt, the Lord saved the people from hunger and helped Pharaoh prosper. During the famine, Joseph sold food to the Egyptians, accepting money, livestock, and eventually land as payment. Then Pharaoh owned almost all of Egypt. Meanwhile, God gave Israel some of the best land in Egypt where they could live, work, and multiply.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Jacob Blessing Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Nehemiah 5:2–3
Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.”
Job 2:4
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.
Lamentations 5:6
We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.
Lamentations 5:9
We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.
Lamentations 1:11
All her people groan as they search for bread. They have traded their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. Look, O LORD, and consider, for I have become despised.
Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Philippians 3:8–9
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

People

Pharaoh: Egyptian ruler during Joseph's time

Glossary

Book of Exodus Egypt, Egyptian Famine Genesis, Book of Goshen Jacob Patriarchs, Period of the Tax, Taxation

Topics

Egypt: Israel in Joseph Enriches the King Egypt: The Country of: The King Acquires Title to Land of Extortion: Pharaoh in Exacting of the Egyptians Lands and Persons, for Corn (Grain) Joseph: Sells the Stores of Food to the People of Egypt Monopoly by Pharaoh Statecraft: Joseph Usurpation: Usurpation of Executive Power in the Plan of Joseph to Dispossess the Egyptians of Their Real and Personal Property

Genesis 47:19

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