Genesis 47:16
in Genesis 47“Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
KJV
And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
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This verse in Genesis 47
Commentary
5 notes on this verseGive your cattle - This was the wisest measure that could be adopted, both for the preservation of the people and of the cattle also. As the people had not grain for their own sustenance, consequently they could have none for their cattle; hence the cattle were in the most imminent danger of starving; and the people also were in equal danger, as they must have divided a portion of that bought for themselves with the cattle, which for the sake of tillage, etc., they wished of course to preserve till the seven years of famine should end.
This site's exposition
Then bring me your livestock
on Genesis 47:16-19
Joseph takes the money first, then the livestock, then the land and the people themselves. Adam Clarke read the second stage as a mercy to both, the herds fed and the people fed with them. The Egyptians themselves say purchase us and our land.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And Joseph said, give your cattle,.... Oxen, sheep, horses, asses, as follows: and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail; that is, corn for cattle, if they had no money to give.
If its usual favours are suspended but for a while, we die, we perish, we all perish. All our wealth would not keep us from starving if the rain of heaven were but withheld for two or three years. See how much we lie at God's mercy, and let us keep ourselves always in his love.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
And Joseph said, Give your cattle--"This was the wisest course that could be adopted for the preservation both of the people and the cattle, which, being bought by Joseph, was supported at the royal expense, and very likely returned to the people at the end of the famine, to enable them to resume their agricultural labors."
The words behind it
10 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֤אמֶר | vaiyomer | and he said | H559 → | 5305 times |
| יוֹסֵף֙ | yosef | Joseph | H3130 → | 213 times |
| הָב֣וּ | havu | give | H3051 → | 34 times |
| מִקְנֵיכֶ֔ם | mikneikhem | livestock your | H4735 → | 76 times |
| וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה | veetenah | so let me give [it] | H5414 → | 2011 times |
| לָכֶ֖ם | lakhem | to you | ||
| בְּמִקְנֵיכֶ֑ם | bemikneikhem | for livestock your | H4735 → | 76 times |
| אִם־ | ʾim- | if | H518 → | 1069 times |
| אָפֵ֖ס | ʾafes | it has come to an end | H656 → | |
| כָּֽסֶף׃ | kasef | money | H3701 → | 403 times |
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he said
vaiyomerH559 →5305 times
יוֹסֵף֙Joseph
yosefH3130 →213 times
הָב֣וּgive
havuH3051 →34 times
מִקְנֵיכֶ֔םlivestock your
mikneikhemH4735 →76 times
וְאֶתְּנָ֥הso let me give [it]
veetenahH5414 →2011 times
לָכֶ֖םto you
lakhem
בְּמִקְנֵיכֶ֑םfor livestock your
bemikneikhemH4735 →76 times
אִם־if
ʾim-H518 →1069 times
אָפֵ֖סit has come to an end
ʾafesH656 →
כָּֽסֶף׃money
kasefH3701 →403 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
it leads to
- James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Titus 2:7
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- Romans 12:9–21
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
- 2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- James 3:17
Through
Colossians 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
it leads to
- Ephesians 5:15–17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
- James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12
Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
- Ephesians 5:15–17
About Genesis
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.