Genesis 47:19

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לָ֧מָּה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נָמ֔וּת

H4191

Wherefore shall we die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

לְעֵינֶ֗יךָ

H5869

before thine eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙

H587

גַּ֣ם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה

H127

and we and our land

soil (from its general redness)

קְנֵֽה

H7069

buy

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

אֹתָ֥נוּ

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#10

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה

H127

and we and our land

soil (from its general redness)

#12

בַּלָּ֑חֶם

H3899

for bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

#13

וְנִֽהְיֶ֞ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#14

אֲנַ֤חְנוּ

H587

#15

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה

H127

and we and our land

soil (from its general redness)

#16

עֲבָדִ֣ים

H5650

will be servants

a servant

#17

לְפַרְעֹ֔ה

H6547

unto Pharaoh

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

#18

וְתֶן

H5414

and give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#19

זֶ֗רַע

H2233

us seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

#20

וְנִֽחְיֶה֙

H2421

that we may live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#21

וְלֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#22

נָמ֔וּת

H4191

Wherefore shall we die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#23

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה

H127

and we and our land

soil (from its general redness)

#24

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#25

תֵשָֽׁם׃

H3456

be not desolate

to lie waste

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 47 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?

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