Genesis 47:20

Authorized King James Version

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And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּ֨קֶן bought H7069
וַיִּ֨קֶן bought
Strong's: H7069
Word #: 1 of 19
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
יוֹסֵ֜ף And Joseph H3130
יוֹסֵ֜ף And Joseph
Strong's: H3130
Word #: 2 of 19
joseph, the name of seven israelites
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַדְמַ֤ת all the land H127
אַדְמַ֤ת all the land
Strong's: H127
Word #: 5 of 19
soil (from its general redness)
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ for the Egyptians H4714
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ for the Egyptians
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 6 of 19
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
לְפַרְעֹֽה׃ became Pharaoh's H6547
לְפַרְעֹֽה׃ became Pharaoh's
Strong's: H6547
Word #: 7 of 19
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָכְר֤וּ sold H4376
מָכְר֤וּ sold
Strong's: H4376
Word #: 9 of 19
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ H4713
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙
Strong's: H4713
Word #: 10 of 19
a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim
אִ֣ישׁ H582
אִ֣ישׁ
Strong's: H582
Word #: 11 of 19
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
שָׂדֵ֔הוּ his field H7704
שָׂדֵ֔הוּ his field
Strong's: H7704
Word #: 12 of 19
a field (as flat)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 13 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חָזַ֥ק prevailed H2388
חָזַ֥ק prevailed
Strong's: H2388
Word #: 14 of 19
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
עֲלֵהֶ֖ם H5921
עֲלֵהֶ֖ם
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 15 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽרָעָ֑ב because the famine H7458
הָֽרָעָ֑ב because the famine
Strong's: H7458
Word #: 16 of 19
hunger (more or less extensive)
וַתְּהִ֥י H1961
וַתְּהִ֥י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 17 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָאָ֖רֶץ over them so the land H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ over them so the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 18 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לְפַרְעֹֽה׃ became Pharaoh's H6547
לְפַרְעֹֽה׃ became Pharaoh's
Strong's: H6547
Word #: 19 of 19
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

Analysis & Commentary

And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, bec... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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