Genesis 47:21-26 NIV1984

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 47:21

And as for the people, he removed them ,.... From the places where they dwelt, that it might appear they had no more property there, and might forget it, and be more willing to pay rent elsewhere; and their posterity hereafter could have no notion of its being theirs, or plead prescription; and besides, by such a removal and separation of the inhabitants of cities, some to one place, and some to another, sedition and mutiny might be prevented: he had them to cities, from one end of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:22

Only the land of the priests bought he not ,.... Not from any special affection for them, or any superstitious veneration of them, which can never be thought of so good a man, but for a reason following, which shows they had no need to sell them: for the priests had a portion assigned them , by Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them ; they had a certain allowance by the day of provision granted them, on which they lived; so Herodotus says F9 Euterpe, sive, l. 2.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:23

Then Joseph said unto the people ,.... After he had bought their land, and before the removal of them to distant parts: behold, I have bought you this day, and your land, for Pharaoh : which he observes to them, that they might take notice of it, and confirm it, or object if they had anything to say to the contrary: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land : by which it should seem that they were not removed from the spot where they lived, but retained their own land... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:24

And it shall come to pass, in the increase ,.... When the land shall produce an increase, and it shall be gathered in: that you shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh ; a fifth part of the increase: and four parts shall be your own ; for the following uses, one part for seed of the field : to sow again with for the next year: a second part for your food ; for food for themselves: a third part for them of your household ; their servants and maids: and the fourth part ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:25

And they said, thou hast saved our lives ,.... Preserved them from death through famine, by laying up stores of corn, which he had sold out to them for their money, cattle, and land, or otherwise they must have perished, they and theirs, and this favour they thankfully acknowledge: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants ; signifying, that they esteemed it a great favour to be so on the foot of the bargain made with them, and they desired a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:26

And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day ,.... With the consent of Pharaoh, his nobles, and all the people of the land, who readily came into it; and so it became, a fundamental law of their constitution, and which continued to the times of Moses, the writer of this history: that Pharaoh should have the fifth part ; that is, of the increase the whole land of Egypt produced: except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's ; it not being... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:21

And as for the people, he removed them to cities - It is very likely that Joseph was influenced by no political motive in removing the people to the cities, but merely by a motive of humanity and prudence. As the corn was laid up in the cities he found it more convenient to bring them to the place where they might be conveniently fed; each being within the reach of an easy distribution. Thus then the country which could afford no sustenance was abandoned for the time being, that the people... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:22

The land of the priests bought he not - From this verse it is natural to infer that whatever the religion of Egypt was, it was established by law and supported by the state. Hence when Joseph bought all the lands of the Egyptians for Pharaoh, he bought not the land of the priests, for that was a portion assigned them by Pharaoh; and they did eat - did live on, that portion. This is the earliest account we have of an established religion supported by the state. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:23

I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh - It fully appears that the kingdom of Egypt was previously to the time of Joseph a very limited monarchy. The king had his estates; the priests had their lands; and the common people their patrimony independently of both. The land of Rameses or Goshen appears to have been the king's land, Genesis 47:11 . The priests had their lands, which they did not sell to Joseph, Genesis 47:22 , Genesis 47:26 ; and that the people had lands... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:23

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