Genesis 47:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

Care being taken of Jacob and his family, the preservation of which was especially designed by Providence in Joseph's advancement, an account is now given of the saving of the kingdom of Egypt too from ruin; for God is King of nations as well as King of saints, and provideth food for all flesh. Joseph now returns to the management of that great trust which Pharaoh had lodged in his hand. It would have been pleasing enough to him to have gone and lived with his father and brethren in Goshen;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:17

And they brought their cattle unto Joseph ,.... Which they might the more readily do, since there was scarce any grass to feed them with; and though some of them were creatures used for food, yet might be so lean and poor for want of grass, as not to be fit to eat; and besides, they could do better without flesh than without bread: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses ; with which Egypt abounded, to which many places of Scripture have respect, Deuteronomy 17:16 , and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:11-27

Joseph's policy in Egypt. I. TOWARDS THE ISRAELITES . 1. He gave them a settlement in Goshen . Though in one sense the land of Goshen was Pharaoh's grant, it is apparent from the story that they owed it chiefly to the wise and prudent management of Joseph that they found themselves located in the fattest corner of the land. In thus providing for them Joseph had without doubt an eye to their enrichment, to their separation as a people from the Egyptian inhabitants of the land,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

The policy of Joseph is faithfully employed for his monarch. The advantage taken of the people's necessities to increase the power of the throne is quite Eastern in its character—not commended to general imitation, but permitted to be carded out through Joseph, because it gave him greater hold upon the government, and perhaps wrought beneficially on the whole in that early period of civilization. The honor of the priesthood is a testimony to the sacredness which the Egyptians attached to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:16-17

And Joseph said, Give (literally, bring ) your cattle; and I will give you ( sc . bread) for your cattle, if money fail. And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks (literally, and for cattle of the flocks ) , and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses (the severity of these terms of sale and purchase was not so great as at first sight appears, since to a famishing people under-fed cattle and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 47:1-31

- 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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 47:15-17

"And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for our money faileth. And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. And they brought their cattle unto Joseph; and he gave them bread in exchange for the horses, and for the flocks, and for the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread in exchange for all their... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 47:13-19

"It was axiomatic in the ancient world that one paid one’s way so long as one had anything to part with-including, in the last resort, one’s liberty." [Note: Kidner, p. 211.] "Both Egyptian and Mesopotamian slavery differentiated generally between formerly free people who became debt slaves and foreigners (usually war captives) who were bought and sold as chattel. Mesopotamian laws and contracts indicate that creditors obtained the service of the debt slave until the debt was covered, but... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 47:13-27

God’s provision of land and food for Pharaoh 47:13-27This section demonstrates the fulfillment of Jacob’s blessing on Pharaoh (Genesis 46:31 to Genesis 47:6 and Genesis 47:7-10). Joseph was able to save Egypt and its neighbors from a very severe famine and to alleviate the desperate plight of the Egyptians. Pharaoh received money from Egypt and Canaan (Genesis 47:13-14), livestock (Genesis 47:15-17), land and slaves (Genesis 47:18-21; Genesis 47:23; Genesis 47:25), and 20 percent of future... read more

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