And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day ( i.e. the day of the narrator), that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's. The account here given of the land tenure in Egypt, viz., read more
- Jacob in Goshen11. רעמסס ra‛mesês, Ra‘meses “son of the sun.”31. מטה mı̂ṭṭāh, “bed.” מטה maṭṭeh “staff.”Arrangements are now made for the settlement of Israel in Goshen. The administration of Joseph during the remaining years of the famine is then recorded. For the whole of this period his father and brothers are subject to him, as their political superior, according to the reading of his early dreams. We then approach to the death-bed of Jacob, and hear him binding Joseph by an oath to... read more
Genesis 47:21. He removed them, &c. He transplanted them, to show Pharaoh’s sovereign power over them, and that they might, in time, forget their titles to their lands, and be the more easily reconciled to their new condition of servitude. How hard soever this seems to have been upon them, they themselves were sensible of it as a great kindness, and were thankful they were not worse used. read more
Joseph’s economic policy (47:13-26)If Joseph had not planned wisely, the seven-year famine would have ruined Egypt and Canaan. He gave the people food in return for their money (13-15), then, when they had no money, in return for their animals (16-17), then, when they had no animals, in return for their land and even themselves (18-19). In the end all the land belonged to the government and everybody worked for the government, but in return Joseph gave the people land and seed for farming... read more
removed them to cities. Samaritan Pentateuch, Pentateuch, and Vulgate read, "made them serve as servants"; or, "made them bondmen". read more
portion. Hebrew "statute". Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus). Statute is put for the portion allowed by it. sold not. The reference of Herodotus to this is thus proved to be correct. read more
Behold . . . lo. Figure of speech. Asterismos. App-6 . read more
fifth part. This is the Turkish law in Palestine to-day, if the landlord supplies cattle and seed. So the terms would not be too onerous. read more
a law. Hebrew. chok, decree. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:25
And they said, Thou hast saved our lives (literally, thou hast kept us alive ): let us find grace in the sight of my lord ( i.e. let us have the land on these favorable terms), and we will be Pharaoh's servants . "That a sort of feudal service is here intended—the service of free laborers, not bondmen—we may learn from the relationship of the Israelites to God, which was formed after the plan of this Egyptian model" (Gerlach). read more