Genesis 47:23

Therefore, Joseph said to the people: “So, as you discern, both you and your lands are possessed by Pharaoh; take seed and sow the fields,

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.

In Context

22except the land of the priests, which had been delivered to them by the king. To these also a portion of food was supplied out of the public storehouses, and, for this reason, they were not compelled to sell their possessions.

24so that you may be able to have grain. One fifth part you will give to the king; the remaining four I permit to you, as seed and as food for your families and children.

Read all of Genesis 47

Cross References

Genesis 45:6For it is two years since the famine began to be upon the land, and five years more remain, in which there can be neither plowing, nor reaping.

Proverbs 11:26Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.

Proverbs 13:23Much nourishment is in the fallow land of the fathers. But for others, it is gathered without judgment.

Isaiah 28:24Would the plowman, after plowing all day so that he may sow, instead cut open and hoe his soil?

Matthew 24:45Consider this: who is a faithful and prudent servant, who has been appointed by his lord over his family, to give them their portion in due time?

Matthew Henry on Genesis 47:14-27

Distressed Occasioned by the Famine. ( b. c. 1706.) 13 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. 15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 47:23