VERSE 1 Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, "My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen (!v,GO #r,a,B. ~N"hiw> ![;n"K. #r,a,me WaB' ~h,l' rv,a]-lk'w> ~r'q'b.W ~n"acow> yx;a;w> ybia' rm,aYOw: h[or>p;l. dGEY:w: @seAy aboY"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. bo go + p.n. Joseph + waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.s. nagad tell + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. abh + waw w/noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. ach + waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. ts-on flock + waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. baqar herd + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + rel.pro. asher + prep lamed w/3m.s.suff. + Qal perf.3p. bo + prep min w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan + waw w/interj hinneh behold + prep beth w/noun botn s.abs. eretz + p.n. Goshen])."

VERSE 2 He took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh (h[or>p; ynEp.li ~gECiY:w: ~yvin"a] hV'mix] xq;l' wyx'a, hceq.miW [waw w/prep min w/noun m.s.abs. qatseh end ; "from among" + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + Qal perf.3m.s. laqach take + adj.m.s.abs. chemishah five + noun m.p.abs. ish + prep lamed w/noun both p.constr. paneh face + p.n. Pharaoh]).

VERSE 3 Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation (~k,yfe[]M;-hm; wyx'a,-la, h[or>P; rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Pharaoh + prep el + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + interrog mah? + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. ma-asheh work; cognate of ashah])?"

So they said to Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers (WnyteAba]-~G: Wnx.n:a]-~G: ^yd,b'[] !aco h[ero h[or>P;-la, Wrm.aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. amar + prep el + p.n. Pharaoh + Qal part.m.s.abs. ra-ah pasture + noun both s.abs. ts-on flock + conj gam + pro.1p. nachnu we + waw w/conj gam + noun m.p.constr.w/1p.suff. abh])."

VERSE 4 They said to Pharaoh, "We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants' flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan (![;n"K. #r,a,B. b['r'h' dbek'-yKi ^yd,b'[]l; rv,a] !aCol; h[,r>mi !yae-yKi WnaB' #r,a'B' rWgl' h[or>P;-la, Wrm.aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. amar + prep el + p.n. Pharaoh + prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr. gur sojourn + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + Qal perf.1p. bo come + part ki + adv ayin no + noun m.s.abs. ge-i pasture + prep lamed w/noun both s.abs. ts-on flock + rel.pro. asher + prep lamed w/noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ebed servant + part ki + adj.m.s.abs. kabad great; "severe" + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. ra-ab famine + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan]).

Now, therefore, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen (!v,GO #r,a,B. ^yd,b'[] an"-Wbv.yE hT'[;w> [waw w/adv attah now + Qal impf.3p. yashab dwell + interj na please + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ebed servant + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Goshen])."

VERSE 5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you (^yl,ae WaB' ^yx,a;w> ^ybia' rmoale @seAy-la, h[or>P; rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Pharaoh + prep el + p.n. Joseph + prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr. amar + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. abh + waw w/noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ach + Qal perf.3p. bo come + prep el w/2m.s.suff.]).

VERSE 6 "The land of Egypt is at your disposal; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land, let them live in the land of Goshen (!v,GO #r,a,B. Wbv.yE ^yx,a;-ta,w> ^ybia'-ta, bveAh #r,a'h' bj;ymeB. awhi ^yn<p'l. ~yIr;c.mi #r,a, [noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + prep lamed w/noun both p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. paneh face; literally: "before your face" + pro.3f.s. it + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. metab the best + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. eretz + Hiphil imper.m.s. yashab dwell + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. w/2m.s.suff. abh + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ach + Qal impf.3m.p. yashab live + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Goshen]; and if you know any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock [yli-rv,a]-l[; hn<q.mi yref' ~T'm.f;w> lyIx;-yven>a; ~B'-vy<w> T'[.d;y"-~aiw> [waw w/part im if + Qal perf.2m.s. yada know + waw w/adv yesh there is + prep beth w/3m.p.suff. + noun m.p.constr. ish + noun m.s.abs. chayil might; "capable" + waw w/Qal perf.2m.s.w/3m.p.suff. shim place, put + noun m.p.constr. shar prince; "in charge" + noun m.s.abs. miqeneh livestock, cattle + prep al + rel.pro. asher + prep lamed w/1s.suff.])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-6

1. Joseph now represents his family before Pharaoh (v.1).
2. He informs Pharaoh that his family has finally arrived in Egypt and are currently in Goshen.
3. This is the first speech of Joseph to Pharaoh since 41:25ff.
4. He revises the original draft of the speech.
5. To his family Joseph had said: "I will go and inform Pharaoh, my brothers and my father’s household …have come to me" (46:31).
6. Here he changes "my brothers and my father’s household" to "my father and my brothers" highlighting the appearance of his father.
7. He also changes "the are now in the land of Egypt" to "they are now in the land of Goshen."
8. This lays the foundation for the brothers’ formal request to permanently reside in the district of Goshen.
9. On his own Joseph hand picks "five" of the brothers to present them before Pharaoh.
10. Which five?
11. Why five?
12. What was the selection criterion?
13. Some interpreters are inclined to think that Joseph took the more impressive looking brothers.
14. The Hebrew of v. 2 reads literally, "from the edge/extremity of his brothers he took five."
15. Rabbinic interpretation takes the opposite tack that he took the less formidable brothers, fearing that Pharaoh might make soldiers out of the more formidable brothers.
16. According to tradition Joseph took Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Benjamin and Issachar.
17. It makes mores sense to translated the verbs in v. 2 as pluperfects "He had selected …and had presented them…"
18. Joseph does not travel back the short distance to Goshen to select five brothers.
19. Joseph was correct in his assessment that Pharaoh would open the conversation with a leading question (v.3).
20. The question "What is your occupation?" is, of course, only to the delegation of the brothers.
21. Joseph presents his brothers before his father to possibly avoid the embarrassment of having his esteemed father plea for sanctuary in Egypt.
22. The brothers forthright answer also varies from Joseph’s instructions.
23. He had urged them to identify themselves as cattle-breeders (46:34).
24. Instead, they identify themselves as "shepherds."
25. In fact, they use the specific term which Joseph had told them was a vocational taboo among Egyptians (46:34)!
26. If they are playing with potential fire, no harm was caused by their revised version.
27. In subsequent conversation, the top Egyptian (Pharaoh) casts on aversion on Jacob and his family due to their vocation.
28. In addition to such revisions, the brothers’ response to Pharaoh also includes amplification (v.4).
29. They declare to Pharaoh the plight that has forced them to seek temporary asylum in Egypt.
30. The especially severe famine in Egypt had forced their hand and so they make request before Pharaoh to "sojourn" in Egypt.
31. The place their plight before the mercy and goodwill of Sesostris I.
32. The never make mention of the fact that they have come to Egypt because Joseph invited them to do so, nor do they make mention of Pharaoh’s invitation.
33. They do not use Joseph as a reason or excuse for their plea for asylum.
34. They are respectful using the repeated designation "your servants" (3x) but they do not engage in any subterfuge or name-dropping to achieve their desires.
35. The brothers are here once again demonstrating their spiritual development as men of faith.
36. The five brothers stood on their own merits and God blessed their approach.
37. This is very refreshing as people are wont to engage in various antics to achieve something they desperately want or need.
38. Lastly, Pharaoh speaks to Joseph (vv. 5-6).
39. Pharaoh speaks to Joseph because Joseph has been delegated authority to accept Jacob’s family into Egypt, and to supervise their settlement into Goshen.
40. It is conceivable that the brothers will rise in rank in Egypt as their brother Joseph did.
41. Their feet have hardly touched Egyptian soil and already they are tantalized with the possibility of being place in charge of the royal cattle.
42. Pharaoh is interested in "capable men" rather than simply "cattle-breeders."
43. This all suggests that the prime Egyptian cattle were located in the best pasture land which was in Goshen.
44. Pharaoh once again shows himself to be magnanimous.
45. His offer goes on step beyond the request of the five brothers.
46. Pharaoh’s words were "the land of Egypt is open to you: settle in the choice parts of the land settle your father and your brothers."
47. His word is more evidence of his appreciation of Joseph.

Pharaoh Meets Jacob (vv. 7-12)

VERSE 7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh (h[or>P;-ta, bqo[]y: %r,b'y>w: h[or>p; ynEp.li Whdemi[]Y:w: wybia' bqo[]y:-ta, @seAy abeY"w: [waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.s. bo go + p.n. Joseph + d.o. marker + p.n. Jacob + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. abh father + waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.s.w/3m.s.suff. amad stand; "presented" + prep lamed w/noun both p.constr. paneh face + p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/Piel impf.3m.s. barak bless + p.n. Jacob + d.o. marker + p.n. Pharaoh]).

VERSE 8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How many years have you lived (^yY<x; ynEv. ymey> hM'K; bqo[]y:-la, h[or>P; rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Pharaoh + prep el + p.n. Jacob + prep kaph w/interrog mah how? + noun m.p.constr. yom day + noun f.p.constr. shanah year + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.s.suff. chay living])?"

VERSE 9 So Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty (hn"v' ta;m.W ~yvil{v. yr;Wgm. ynEv. ymey> h[or>P;-la, bqo[]y: rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Jacob + prep el + p.n. Pharaoh + noun m.p.constr. yom day + noun f.p.constr. shanah + noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. magor sojourning + adj.m.p.as. shiloshim thirty + waw w/adj.f.s.constr. me-ah hundred + noun f.s.ab.s shanah year]; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning [~h,yreWgm. ymeyBi yt;boa] yYEx; ynEv. ymey>-ta, WgyFihi al{w> yY:x; ynEv. ymey> Wyh' ~y[ir'w> j[;m. [adj.m.s.abs. me-am little; "few" + waw w/adj.m.p.abs. ra evil; "unpleasant" + Qal perf.3p. hayah + noun f.p.constr. shanah year + noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. chayyim life + waw w/neg lo + Hiphil perf.3p. nashag overtake; "attained" + d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr. yom day + noun f.p.constr. shanah + noun m.p.constr. chayyim life + noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. abh + prep beth w/noun m.p.constr. yom + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. magor sojourning])."

VERSE 10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from his presence (h[or>p; ynEp.Limi aceYEw: h[or>P;-ta, bqo[]y: %r,b'y>w [waw w/Piel impf.3m.s. barak + p.n. Jacob + d.o. marker + p.n. Pharaoh + prep mine w/prep lamed w/noun both p.constr. paneh]).

VERSE 11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt (~yIr;c.mi #r,a,B. hZ"xua] ~h,l' !TeYIw: wyx'a,-ta,w> wybia'-ta, @seAy bveAYw: [waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.s. yashab dwell + p.n. Joseph + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. abh + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nathan + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff. + noun f.s.abs. achuzzah possession + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt], in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered [h[or>p; hW"ci rv,a]K; ssem.[.r; #r,a,B. #r,a'h' [prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. meytab the best + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Rameses + prep kaph w/rel.pro. asher + Piel perf.3m.s. tswah command + p.n. Pharaoh]).

VERSE 12 Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to their little ones (@J'h; ypil. ~x,l, wybia' tyBe-lK' taew> wyx'a,-ta,w> wybia'-ta, @seAy lKel.k;y>w: [waw w/Pilpel impf.3m.s. kul nourish, provide + p.n. Joseph + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ach + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.s.constr. bayith + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. abh + noun m.s.abs. lechem + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr. peh mouth + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. taph little one]).

1. After the five brothers left the presence of Pharaoh, Jacob was brought before him.
2. Jacob is carried into the court, is helped to stand upright by Joseph, and blesses Pharaoh.
3. Whereas the scene with the brothers was more formal, the atmosphere with Jacob is relaxed.
4. The issue of Israel’s relocation was formally settled when the brothers met with Pharaoh.
5. And so, the scene is more Pharaoh’s audience with Jacob than the other way around.
6. The sons came seeking favors; the elderly Jacob does the Pharaoh a favor.
7. Jacob does not call the monarch "your servant" as the brothers did.
8. It is Jacob who blesses Pharaoh, i.e. invocation for Pharaoh’s welfare, both at the beginning and the end of their short meeting.
9. Pharaoh simply asks respectfully, "How many years have you lived?"
10. Pharaoh is impressed with Jacob’s longevity as 110 years was considered the Egyptian ideal.
11. Jacob’s great age by Egyptian standards demands respect.
12. Jacob’s reply "few and bad," is hardly expected from a man 130 years of age whose son has risen to vizier of Egypt, but they are a poignant comment on Jacob’s life.
13. He bemoans the brevity of his life compared to that of his father and his grandfather.
14. This situation was due in part to his health test which in itself was a blessing.
15. His injury resulting in his inability to move around was the result of an event that was unique to men—he wrestled with the Angel of Yahweh and prevailed!
16. His fight from his parents, his treatment by his uncle, his often unhappy marital niche, the apparent loss of his favorite son, the rape of his daughter, the loss of his favorite wife, and his physical condition all add up to a life of struggle and conflict.
17. He is now so infirm that he must be carried into Pharaoh’s presence where he "stood before Pharaoh."
18. Despite Jacob’s rather grim assessment of his life, he is deferred to by Pharaoh, who is blessed twice by Jacob.
19. Despite this dark assessment of his life, he is the bearer of divine blessing to Pharaoh.
20. Jacob’s blessing was not just a formality, but a reflection of the promise of the Abrahamic Covenant, "that those who bless you I will bless."
21. Pharaoh by promoting Joseph to vizier and his gracious reception of Joseph’s family into Egypt clearly put him in the center of that blessing temporally speaking.
22. The most immediate fulfillment of this blessing is Joseph’s rescue of Egypt from the brutal effects of famine (47:11-27).
23. Joseph fulfills Pharaoh’s decree of 47:6.
24. First, Joseph grants his eleven brothers a "possession", i.e., a permanent inheritance in Egypt (v.11).
25. They enjoyed more rights than the typical immigrant and as we shall see they came out better than the average Egyptian who lost land and freedom.
26. The area they settled in was the top real estate in Egypt.
27. The designation of the area the sons of Israel lived in is here named by the narrator as "the land of Rameses."
28. This particular designation of Goshen is found only here.,
29. Rameses was a city in the vicinity of Goshen (cf. Ex. 1:14; 12:37).
30. Joseph fulfilled his promise to his father (v. 12) to provide for the family during the period of their transition from Canaan to Egypt.
31. This is the district the Israelites would live in for the next 210 years until the Exodus in 1446 BC.

Joseph’s Land Reform During the Famine (vv. 13-26)

VERSE 13 Now there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine (b['r'h' ynEP.mi ![;n:K. #r,a,w> ~yIr;c.mi #r,a, Hl;Tew: daom. b['r'h' dbek'-yKi #r,a'h'-lk'B. !yae ~x,l,w> [waw w/noun m.s.abs. lechem bread + adv ayin no + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. kol + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. eretz + part ki + adj.m.s.abs. kabed great + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. ra-ab famine + adv me-odh exceedingly + waw w/Qal impf.3f.s. lahah languish + noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + waw w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan + prep min w/noun both p.constr. paneh; "because of" + def.art.w/noun m.s.ab.s ra-ab famine]).

VERSE 14 Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain which they bought, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house (h[or>p; ht'yBe @s,K,h;-ta, @seAy abeY"w: ~yrIb.vo ~he-rv,a] rb,V,B; ![;n:K. #r,a,b.W ~yIr;c.mi-#r,a,b. ac'm.NIh; @s,K,h;-lK'-ta, @seAy jQel;y>w: [waw w/Piel impf.3m.s. laqat glean; "gathered" + p.n. Joseph + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. kol + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. keseph silver + def.art.w/Niphal part.m.s.abs. matsa find + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + waw w/prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n Canaan + def.art.w/pre beth w/noun m.s.abs. sheber grain + rel.pro. asher + pro.3m.p. hem they + Qal part.m.p.abs. shabar buy + waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.s. bo go + p.n. Joseph + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. keseph silver + noun m.s.constr. bayith house + p.n. Pharaoh]).

VERSE 15 When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, "Give us food, for why should we die in your presence (^D,g>n< tWmn" hM'l'w> ~x,l, WnL'-hb'h' rmoale @seAy-la, ~yIr;c.mi-lk' WaboY"w: ![;n:K. #r,a,meW ~yIr;c.mi #r,a,me @s,K,h; ~ToYIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. tamam be complete; "was spent" + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. keseph silver + prep min w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + waw w/prep min w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Canaan + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. bo come + noun m.s.constr. kol + p.n. Egyptians + prep el + p.n. Joseph + prep lamed wQal infin.constr. amar + Qal imper.m.s. yahab give + prep lamedh 1p.suff. + noun m.s.abs. lechem bread + waw w/interrog lammah why? + Qal impf.1p. muth die + prep w/2m.s.suff. neged before])?

For our money is gone (@s,K' spea' yKi [part ki + Qal perf.3m.s. aphas fail, come to an end + noun m.s.abs. kesep])."

VERSE 16 Then Joseph said, "Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone (@s,K' spea'-~ai ~k,ynEq.miB. ~k,l' hn"T.a,w> ~k,ynEq.mi Wbh' @seAy rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Joseph + Qal imper.m.p. yachab give + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. miqneh livestock, cattle + waw w/Qal impf.1s. nathan + prep lamedh w/2m.p.suff. + prep beth w/noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. miqeneh livestock + adv im since + Qal perf.3m.s. aphas fail; "is gone"])."

VERSE 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys (~yrImox]b;W rq'B'h; hnEq.mib.W !aCoh; hnEq.mib.W ~ysiWSB; ~x,l, @seAy ~h,l' !TeYIw: @seAy-la, ~h,ynEq.mi-ta, WaybiY"w: [waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.p. bo bring + d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. miqenah livestock + prep el + p.n. Joseph + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nathan + prep lamed w/3m.p.suff. + p.n. Joseph + noun m.s.abs. lechem + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.p.abs. sus horse + waw w/prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. miqenah cattle + waw w/noun both s.abs. ts-on flock + waw w/prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. miqeneh, herds + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. baqar cattle, ox + waw w/def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.p.abs. chamor donkey]; and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year [awhih; hn"V'B; ~h,nEq.mi-lk'B. ~x,L,B; ~leh]n:y>w: [waw w/Piel impf.3m.s.w/3m.p.suff. nahal lead with care; pasture; this term is a shepherding term translated here "he fed them" + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. lechem + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. miqeneh livestock + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun f.s.abs. shanah year]).

VERSE 18 When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, "We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent, and the cattle are my lord's (ynIdoa]-la, hm'heB.h; hnEq.miW @s,K,h; ~T;-~ai yKi ynIdoa]me dxek;n>-al{ Al Wrm.aYOw: tynIVeh; hn"V'B; wyl'ae WaboY"w: awhih; hn"V'h; ~ToTiw: [waw w/Qal impf.3f.s tamam be complete; "was ended" + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. shanah year + def.art.w/pro.3f.s. it + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. bo come + prep el w/3m.s.suff. + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun f.s.abs. shanah year + def.art.w/adj.f.s.abs. sheni two; "the next" + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. amar + prep lamed w/3m.s.suff. + neg lo + Piel impf.1p. kachad kick, conceal + prep min w/noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord + part ki + part im since + Qal perf.3m.s. tamam be complete; "is gone" + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. keseph silver + waw w/noun m.s.constr. miqeneh livestock + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. behemah cattle; beast = "herds of livestock" + prep el + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord]).

There is nothing left for my lord except our bodies and our lands (Wntem'd>a;w> WnteY"wIG>-~ai yTil.Bi ynIdoa] ynEp.li ra;v.nI al{ [neg lo + Niphal perf.3m.s. sha-ar be left over + prep lamed w/noun both p.constr. paneh face + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon + prep beli except + part im + noun f.s.constr.w/1p.suff. gewiyah body, corpse + waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/1p.suff. adamah land]).

VERSE 19 "Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land (Wntem'd>a; ~G: Wnx.n:a]-~G: ^yn<y[el. tWmn" hM'l' [interrog mah why? + Qal impf.1p. muth die + prep lamed w/noun f. dual constr.w/2m.s.suff. ayin eye + conj gam also; "both" + pro.1p. anachnu we + conj gam + noun f.s.constr.w/1p.suff. adama land])?

Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh (h[or>p;l. ~ydIb'[] Wntem'd>a;w> Wnx.n:a] hy<h.nIw> ~x,L'B; Wntem'd>a;-ta,w> Wnt'ao-hnEq [Qal imper.m.s. qanah acquire; "buy" + d.o. marker w/1p.suff. "us" + waw w/d.o. marker + noun f.s.constr.w/1p.suff. adamah land + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. lechem "for food" + waw w/Qal impf.1p. hayah be + pro.1p. nachnu we + waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/1p.suff. adamah land + noun m.p.abs. ebed slave + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh]).

So give us seed, that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate [~v'te al{ hm'd'a]h'w> tWmn" al{w> hy<x.nIw> [r;z<-!t,w> [waw w/Qal imper.m.s. nathan + noun m.s.abs. zera seed + waw w/Qal impf.1p. chayah live + waw w/neg lo + Qal impf.1p. muth die + waw w/def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. adamah land + neg lo + Qal impf.3f.s. yasham be desolate])."

VERSE 20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them (b['r'h' ~h,le[] qz:x'-yKi Whdef' vyai ~yIr;c.mi Wrk.m'-yKi h[or>p;l. ~yIr;c.mi tm;d>a;-lK'-ta, @seAy !q,YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. qanah get; "bought" + p.n. Joseph + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun f.s.constr. adamah land + p.n. Egypt + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh + part ki + Qal perf.3p. makar sell + p.n. Egyptian + noun m.s.abs. ish + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. shada field + part ki + Qal perf.3m.s. chazaq be strong; "was severe" + prep al w/3m.p.suff. +]).

Thus the land became Pharaoh's (h[or>p;l. #r,a'h yhiT.w: b['r'h' [def.art.w/noun m.s.abs.s ra-ab famine + waw w/Qal impf.3f.s. hayah + def.art.w/noun both s.abs. eretz + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh]).

VERSE 21 As for the people, he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt's border to the other (Whceq'-d[;w> ~yIr;c.mi-lWbg> hceq.mi ~yrI['l, Atao rybi[/h, ~['h'-ta,w [waw w/d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. am people + Hiphil perf.3m.s. abar take away; "he removed" + d.o. marker w/3m.s.suff. + prep lamed w/noun f.p.abs. ir city + prep min w/noun m.s.constr. qatseh end + noun m.s.constr. gebul border + p.n. Egypt + waw w/pre ad until + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. qatseh end "the other"]).

VERSE 22 Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had an allotment from Pharaoh, and they lived off the allotment which Pharaoh gave them (h[or>P; ~h,l' !t;n" rv,a] ~Q'xu-ta, Wlk.a'w> h[or>P; taeme ~ynIh]Kol; qxo yKi hn"q' al{ ~ynIh]Koh; tm;d>a; qr; [ adv raq only + noun f.s.constr. adamah + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. kohen priest + neg lo + Qal perf.3m.s. qanah acquire, buy + part ki + noun m.s.abs. choq statute; "allotment" + def.art.w/prep lamed w/noun m.p.abs. kohen priest + prep min w/pre eth + p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/wqal perf.3p. akal eat; "lived" + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. choq "allotment" + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. nathan + prep lamed w/3m.p.suff. + p.n. Pharaoh]).

Therefore, they did not sell their land (~t'm'd>a;-ta, Wrk.m' al{ !Ke-l[; [prep al w+ adv ken + neg lo + Qal perf.3p. makar sell + d.o. marker + noun f.s.constr.w/3p.suff. adamah]).

VERSE 23 Then Joseph said to the people, "Behold, I have today bought you and your land for Pharaoh; now, here is seed for you, and you may sow the land (hm'd'a]h'-ta, ~T,[.r;z>W [r;z< ~k,l'-ahe h[or>p;l. ~k,t.m;d>a;-ta,w> ~AYh; ~k,t.a, ytiynIq' !he ~['h'-la, @seAy rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + p.n. Joseph + prep el + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. am people + interj hen behold + Qal perf.1s. qanah get; "bought" + d.o. marker w/2m.p. + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. yom day + waw w/d.o. marker + noun f.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. adamah land + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh + interj hen + prep lamed w/2m.p.suff. + noun m.s.abs. zera seed + waw w/Qal perf.2m.p. zara sow + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. adamah land]).

VERSE 24 "At the harvest you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four-fifths shall be your own for seed of the field and for your food and for those of your households and as food for your little ones (~k,P.j;l. lkoa/l,w> ~k,yTeb'B. rv,a]l;w> ~k,l.k.a'l.W hd,F'h; [r;z<l. ~k,l' hy<h.yI tdoY"h; [B;r>a;w> h[or>p;l. tyviymix] ~T,t;n>W taoWbT.B; hy"h'w> [waw w/Qal perf.3m.s. hayah + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun f.p.abs. tebu-ah produce; "harvest" + waw w/Qal perf.2m.p. nathan give + noun f.s.abs. chamiyshith fifth part + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. arab-im forth part; "four-fifths" + def.art.w/noun f.p.abs. yad hand; "own" + Qal impf.3m.s. hayah + prep lamed w/2m.p.suff. + prep lamed w/nun m.s.abs. zera seed + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. shadeh field + waw w/prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr.w/2m.p.suff. akal eat + waw w/prep lamed w/rel.pro. asher + prep beth w/noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. bayith + waw w/prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr. akal eat + prep lamed w/noun m.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. taph little one])."

VERSE 25 So they said, "You have saved our lives (Wnt'yIx/h, Wrm.aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. amar + Hiphil perf.2m.s.w/1p.suff. hayah live; "You have saved our lives"])!

Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's slaves (h[or>p;l. ~ydIb'[] WnyyIh'w> ynIdoa] ynEy[eB. !xe-ac'm.n [Qal impf.1p. matsa find + noun m.s.abs. chen favor + prep beth w/noun m. dual constr. ayin + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. adon lord + waw w/Qal perf.1p.suff. hayah + noun m.p.abs. ebed servant, slave + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh])."

VERSE 26 Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt valid to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth (vm,xol; h[or>p;l. ~yIr;c.mi tm;d>a;-l[; hZ<h; ~AYh;-d[; qxol. @seAy Ht'ao ~f,Y"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. shim put + d.o. marker w/3f.s.suff. + p.n. Joseph + prep lamed w/noun m.s.abs. choq statute + pre ad until + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. yom day + def.art.w/adj.m.s.abs. zeh this + prep al + noun f.s.constr. adamah land + p.n. Egypt + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh + def.art.w/prep lamed w/noun m.s.abs. chomesh fifth]; only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh's (h[or>p;l. ht'y>h' al{ ~D'b;l. ~ynIh]Koh; tm;d>a; qr; [adv raq only + noun f.s.constr. adamah + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. cohen + prep lamed w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. bad alone + neg lo + Qal perf.3f.s. hayah + prep lamed w/p.n. Pharaoh]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 13-26

1. Here is the account of Joseph’s relief measures during the seven years of famine (vv. 13-26).
2. A prime purpose of this account is to bring to the reader’s attention the severity of the famine, in particular the hardship it imposed on the desperate Egyptians.
3. Modern readers find it difficult to regard Joseph’s measures as benevolent.
4. They appear like someone taking advantage of the destitute, forcing them to sell or mortgage animals, land and their own freedom to enrich the crown.
5. For instance, the OT law itself does not envisage the destitute simply being bailed out by the more well-to-do.
6. If possible, members of a society should help their destitute relatives, just as Joseph did, by buying their land and employing the as slaves (Lev. 25:13-55).
7. In ancient Israel destitute families were given their land and freedom back every fifty years (i.e. the Jubilee year).
8. The land reform here was instituted out of necessity and it prevailed until at least the time of Moses (cf. v. 26).
9. Apparently the subsequent Pharaoh’s were not as benevolent as what we find in the Law of Moses.
10. That wasn’t Joseph’s fault, as he saved the Egyptians from starvation.
11. Joseph implemented righteous and benevolent measures to save the people from starvation as the famine ground on for seven years.
12. Three stages of his famine relief program as seen in these verses.
13. The Egyptians spend all their silver for grain (vv. 13-14).
14. The Egyptians mortgage their livestock for grain (vv. 15-17).
15. The Egyptians mortgage their lands and themselves to Pharaoh for grain (vv. 18-26).
16. Note the stress on the famine’s severity (cf. 41:31) in v. 13 both in Egypt and in Canaan.
17. The land (terra firma) "languished" for seven years, as there was no planting or harvesting.
18. In Canaan the problem was lack of rainfall over the area; in Egypt it was insufficient rainfall in lower Africa, with the result that the Nile did not flood its banks during the rainy season.
19. The verb "languished" only occurs in a finite form here (cf., descriptive participle in Prov. 26:18).
20. In the first year or so of the famine the populace scrapped up every penny to buy grain.
21. The phenomenal wealth from hard currency was deposited by Joseph in the royal treasury (v.14).
22. Joseph had complete oversight of this transfer or wealth from the people to the crown.
23. V. 14 stresses Joseph’s honesty.
24. When the silver ran out the people came to Joseph pleading for grain as they faced death by starvation (v.15).
25. What was Joseph to do as he looked into the faces of these desperate souls?
26. He opted for them "give up [their] livestock."
27. The verb is not nathan but is yahab which means ‘to ascribe’ as in ascribing glory to God (Deut. 2:3; Pss. 29:1-2; 96:7-8; 1Chron. 16:28-29).
28. Mortgaging their livestock would have been a much more practical approach for all parties concerned.
29. The listing of four different types of animals is found in v.17.
30. Heading the list is "horses" which just happens to be the first mention of this animal in the Bible.
31. "Flocks" [literally, "flocks of sheep"] would come from outside Egypt.
32. Next we have "cattle" ["herds of cattle] followed by "donkeys."
33. The statement at the end of v. 17 translated "that year" is literally, "in the next year" (cf. also v. 18).
34. Where this fits into the seven year cycle is unclear.
35. The chronology probably moves the relief effort to the 3^rd year (v.18).
36. Joseph in return for their livestock gives the people "food" (lechem) whereas it says for silver, he gave them "grain" (seber).
37. In the 3^rd and final transaction he gave them "seed" (v. 23).
38. With no silver and no livestock that they can call their own, the people offer their "bodies (literally, "corpses") and [their] lands" (v. 18).
39. In this 3^rd and final negotiation between the people and Joseph, they not Joseph, set the terms (cf. v. 16 cp. v. 19b).
40. They were left with only two capital resources--their properties and their persons.
41. Death stalks them as can be readily seen in their words (v. 19).
42. Desperate times require desperate (but fair) actions (cf. v. 20 "because the famine was severe upon them").
43. They agreed to enslavement to Pharaoh and the mortgaging of their lands.
44. "So give us seed" in return is their last offer.
45. Seed equates to food and grain above.
46. Seed is also needed for the land so that in their words it "may not become desolate."
47. Here they are looking forward to the time when they can once again plant.
48. The prophecy of the dreams of Pharaoh clearly indicates that they can plant seed in the 8^th year.
49. The upshot of this transaction was that the Egyptian population became serfs.
50. Serfdom existed in Egypt to at least days of Moses according to v. 26.
51. Though the phrase, "he made them slaves" sounds harsh, it was beneficial, for now their food supply was Pharaoh’s responsibility.
52. Even though the land was owned by the crown, (v. 20b "So the land became Pharaoh’s) from which each Egyptian farmer paid a fifth (20% tax) of each year’s harvest, the individual farmer was allowed to keep four-fifths of his labor.
53. This was an exceedingly fair arrangement under the circumstances.
54. The transferring of the general population to the cities (v.21) probably was done during the remaining years of famine.
55. That way the distribution of food would be easier, and there was no need for people to languish on the land they once owned.
56. The priestly class was exempt from the requirement to relinquish their lands as they were granted "an allotment" in perpetuity by Pharaoh himself (v.22).
57. Joseph’s official announcement to the general population (v. 23), and his providing them "seed" for the final years of the famine is to show a bargain kept.
58. Furthermore, they were properly informed that their new obligation was to provide one-fifth of each years harvest to Pharaoh once the famine ended (v. 24).
59. The one-fifth tax was a carry-over from the seven years of abundance tax (cf. 41:34).
60. Four-fifths is what the Egyptian serf was to keep.
61. Certainly theirs was not an onerous tax.
62. Having mortgaged their lands and their persons, the Egyptians were allocated grain to eat and to sow (when the time came).
63. Awareness of the African slave trade color our view of slavery, so that we cannot understand the expression of gratitude noted in their accolade, "You have saved our lives!" (v. 25).
64. In the ancient world slavery was a way of bailing out the destitute and under a righteous and benevolent ruler could be quite comfortable for those concerned.
65. "Still valid to this day" means the time of Moses, the human author of Genesis.

Jacob Prepares to Die (vv. 27-31)

VERSE 27 Now Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous (daom. WBr>YIw: Wrp.YIw: Hb' Wzx]a'YEw: !v,GO #r,a,B. ~yIr;c.mi #r,a,B. laer'f.yI bv,YEw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. yashab dwell + p.n. Israel + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Goshen + waw w/Niphal impf.3m.p. achaz grasp; "acquired property" + prep beth w/3f.s.suff. + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. parah bear fruit + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. rabah become numerous + adv me-od exceedingly]).

VERSE 28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the length of Jacob's life was one hundred and forty-seven years (hn"v' ta;m.W ~y[iB'r>a;w> ~ynIv' [b;v, wyY"x; ynEv. bqo[]y:-ymey> yhiy>w: hn"v' href.[, [b;v. ~yIr;c.mi #r,a,B. bqo[]y: yxiy>w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. chayah live + p.n. Jacob + prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eretz + p.n. Egypt + adj.f.s.constr. sheba seven + adj.f.s.abs. eshereh ten + noun f.s.abs. shanah year + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. hayah + noun m.p.constr. yom + p.n. Jacob + noun f.p.constr. shanah + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. chayyim life + adj.f.s.abs. sheba seven + noun f.p.abs. shanah + waw w/adj. both p.abs. areba-im forty + waw w/adj.f.s.constr. me-ah hundred + noun f.s.abs. shanah]).

VERSE 29 When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him (Al rm,aYOw: @seAyl. Anb.li ar'q.YIw: tWml' laer'f.yI-ymey> Wbr>q.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. qarab draw near + noun m.p.constr. yom + p.n. Israel + prep lamed w/Qal infin.constr. muth die + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. qara call + prep lamed w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ben + prep lamed w/p.n. Joseph + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + prep lamed w/3m.s.suff.], "Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place now your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness [tm,a/w< ds,x, ydIM'[i t'yfi['w> ykirey tx;T; ^d>y" an"-~yfi ^yn<y[eB. !xe ytiac'm' an"-~a [part im if + interj na please + Qal perf.1s.suff. matsa find + noun m.s.abs. chen favor, grace + prep beth w/noun f. dual constr.w/2m.s.suff. ayin + Qal imper.m.s. shim place + interj na please + noun f.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. yad hand + prep tachath under + noun f.s.constr.w/1s.suff. yarek thigh + waw w/Qal perf.2m.s. ashah do; "deal" + prep immah w/1s.suff. with + noun m.s.abs. chesed loyal-love + waw w/noun f.s.abs. emeth faithfulness]).

Please do not bury me in Egypt (~yIr'c.miB. ynIreB.q.ti an"-la; [neg al + interj na please + Qal impf.2m.s.w/1s.suff. qabar bury + prep beth w/p.n. Egypt]),

VERSE 30 but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place (~t'r'buq.Bi ynIT;r>b;q.W ~yIr;c.Mimi ynIt;af'n>W yt;boa]-~[i yTib.k;v'w> [waw w/Qal perf.1s. shakab lie down + prep im with + noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. abh + waw w/Qal perf.2m.s.w/1s.suff. nasha carry + prep min w/p.n. Egypt + waw w/Qal perf.2m.s.w/1s.suff. qabar bury + prep beth w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. qeburah sepulcher])."

And he said, "I will do as you have said (^r,b'd>ki hf,[/a, ykinOa' rm;aYOw [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + pro.1s.suff. anoki I + Qal impf.1s. ashah do + prep kaph w/noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. dabar word; literally, "according to your word"])."

VERSE 31 He said, "Swear to me (yli h['b.V'hi rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar + Niphal imper.m.s. shaba swear + prep lamed w/1s.suff.])."

So he swore to him (Al [b;V'YIw: [waw w/Niphal impf.3m.s. shaba swear + prep lamed w/3m.s.suff.]).

Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed (hJ'Mih; varo-l[; laer'f.yI [waw w/Hishtaphel impf.3m.s. shachah bow down + p.n. Israel + prep al + noun m.s.abs. rosh head + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. mittah bed]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 28-31

1. Beginning with chapter 46 (thru 47) there are seven distinct scenes.
2. Here we have the 7^th and final scene in which Jacob is making preparations for his death and burial.
3. The narrator makes clear allusion to the patriarchal promise of numerous progeny in v.27 (2^nd pillar of the Covenant).
4. There is also allusion to the other main promise/pillar of the Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the land of Canaan.
5. A significant number of commentators view this scene as part of the following section which features Jacob’s final blessing and farewell to his sons (48-50), but this is wrong.
6. The "After these things" of 48:1 marks a significant new departure in the narrative which is typical of Genesis to make the last scene of one section the trailer for the next (cf. 4:25-26; 5:6-8; 6:9-9:29).
7. Jacob’s action described in these verses no doubt did precede his death by days or months.
8. There is a close similarity between this scene to that of 24:1-9, where Abraham makes his servant take a similar oath.
9. Similarly, 27:1-40 recounts Isaac making his last will and testament (thinking he will die soon), but his death occurs long after his actions on the occasion of his being deceived by his wife and Jacob.
10. Finally, the very last scene of Genesis finds Joseph making others swear that they will take his remains to Canaan at the Exodus and bury him in Canaan.
11. V. 27 summarizes the fact of the burgeoning Hebrew race in Egypt from 1656 BC forward to the time of the Exodus.
12. The phenomenon of the Hebrew population explosion fulfilled God’s promise that He would make of Jacob a nation while sojourning in Egypt.
13. "Were fruitful" refers to that aspect of sexual prosperity wherein there are growing families within the Hebrew community in Goshen.
14. "Very numerous" refers to numbers game growing exponentially from 1655 BC forward.
15. The narrator also informs the reader that the Hebrew race "acquired property" during their stay in Goshen, which was made possible due to Joseph’s political standing (cf. v. 11).
16. During the 210 years of their exile in Egypt, Jacob lived to experience the first seventeen years before he died.
17. He lived to see the representatives of the 6^th generation (i.e., great grandchildren).
18. The seventeen years he lived in Egypt was the same time he had Joseph with him before he lost him for twenty-two years.
19. Jacob entered Egypt at age 130 and died at age 147.
20. Towards the end of the 17 years Jacob made preparations for his burial, entrusting his beloved son to see to it that it was done according to his wishes.
21. At this point the old man summons his son, and is very deferential in asking his son one final favor (v. 29).
22. This shows how much this mattered to Jacob.
23. By politely asking Joseph to place his hand under his thigh (cf. 24:2, 9), he appears consciously to be imitating his grandfather Abraham when securing a wife for his son Isaac.
24. The thigh was associated with the reproductive life.
25. Both patriarchs’ concerns gravitated around the interests of the Covenant.
26. Jacob’s words "treat me with kindness and loyalty" echoes 24:27, 49.
27. Jacob politely, but firmly, requests that he not be buried in Egypt (v.29).
28. Rather, he insists that his son see to it that he is buried in the family burial cave at Hebron.
29. On the patriarch grave, see chaps. 23; 25:9; 35:27-29; 49:29-32.
30. Joseph’s "I will do according to your word(s)" is also seen at 24:7 and 50:5-6.
31. But Jacob insists that Joseph takes a formal oath in his presence, and he complies (v.31).
32. Jacob’s final request takes place some undetermined (but short) time before his actual death.
33. His insistence on being buried in Canaan shows his strong and abiding connection with the land grant promise of the Covenant.
34. So again, both descendants and land are featured in this scene.
35. "Israel bent over at the head of the bed" is not explained as to its meaning.
36. Was he sitting or standing?
37. Probably the former, as Joseph had placed his hand under his thigh.
38. My take on this is that it was a gesture of gratitude from father to son ("in worship" is not part of the text).
39. In death Jacob’s displays his ultimate (Ph3) hope in the promises of God contained in the Abrahamic Covenant.