Genesis 41:54-57

"And the seven years of famine began to come, according as Joseph had said: and there was famine in all the lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith unto you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine was sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was sore in all the earth."

"In all the land of Egypt, there was bread (Genesis 41:54) ... And when all the land of Egypt was famished (Genesis 41:55) ..." The first statement refers to the beginning of the famine, and also to the vast storehouse of food accumulated during the years of plenty. The second statement applies to the second phase of the famine, when the supplies the people had available were depleted and they began to be in want.

"The famine was in all lands (Genesis 41:54) ... over all the face of the earth ... All countries came into Egypt ... to buy grain ... The famine was sore in all the earth (Genesis 41:57) ..." These expressions are usually understood as hyperbole, and there cannot be any doubt that such a figure of speech is used throughout the Bible, even in the N.T. However, men of the fourth millenium after the event are in no position to tell us what really happened. We appreciate the candor of Leupold who said, concerning this universal famine, "We do not deny the possibility of a world-wide famine at that time." Neither do we!

This chapter sets the stage for the removal of Israel to Egypt, an event that begins to unfold in the very next chapter.