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The land became Pharaoh's,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/47-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/01_Gen_47_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 47:20 - Joseph's Leadership During the Famine" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh's," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/47-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/47-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/47.htm">Chapter 47</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/47-19.htm" title="Genesis 47:19">◄</a> Genesis 47:20 <a href="/genesis/47-21.htm" title="Genesis 47:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/47.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/47.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh&#8217s,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/47.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold him their fields because the famine was so severe, and soon all the land belonged to Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/47.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for all the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe on them. The land became Pharaoh’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/47.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh’s,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/47.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/47.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/47.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/47.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. Thus the land became Pharaoh&#8217s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/47.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. Thus the land became Pharaoh’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/47.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field because the famine was severe upon them. Thus the land became Pharaoh’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/47.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every Egyptian sold his field because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/47.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In this way, Joseph acquired all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh, because every Egyptian sold his field since the famine was so severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/47.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In this way, Joseph acquired all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh, because every Egyptian sold his field since the famine was so severe for them. The land became Pharaoh&#8217s, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/47.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine was sore upon them: and the land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/47.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The famine became so severe that Joseph finally bought every piece of land in Egypt for the king <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/47.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine was sore upon them: and the land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/47.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian sold his fields because the famine was so severe. The land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/47.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian was forced to sell his land, because the famine was so severe; and all the land became the king's property. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/47.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Joseph purchased all of the Egyptian territory for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine's effect was so severe. That's how Pharaoh came to own the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/47.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh?s,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/47.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. Each of the Egyptians sold his field, for the famine was severe. So the land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/47.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, because every Egyptian sold his field, since the famine was severe on them. So the land became Pharaoh?s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/47.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/47.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe on them, and the land became Pharaoh’s. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/47.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph buys all the ground of Egypt for Pharaoh, for the Egyptians have each sold his field, for the famine has been severe on them, and the land becomes Pharaoh’s;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/47.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Joseph buyeth all the ground of Egypt for Pharaoh, for the Egyptians have sold each his field, for the famine hath been severe upon them, and the land becometh Pharaoh's;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/47.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph will buy all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold each his field, for the famine was strong over them: and the land will be to Pharaoh.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/47.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt, every man selling his possessions, because of the greatness of the famine. And he brought it into Pharao's hands: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/47.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, Joseph bought all the land of Egypt, each one selling his possessions because of the magnitude of the famine. And he subjected it to Pharaoh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/47.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So Joseph acquired all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. Each of the Egyptians sold his field, since the famine weighed heavily upon them. Thus the land passed over to Pharaoh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/47.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe upon them; and the land became Pharaoh’s.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/47.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them; so the land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/47.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yoseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, because the Egyptians sold, each man, his field, because the famine was severe upon them and it became the land of Pharaoh.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/47.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine was sore upon them; and the land became Pharaoh's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/47.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph bought all the land of the Egyptians, for Pharao; for the Egyptians sold their land to Pharao; for the famine prevailed against them, and the land became Pharao's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/47-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=12426" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/47.htm">Joseph's Leadership During the Famine</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food. Then we, along with our land, will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">So Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7069.htm" title="7069: way·yi·qen (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to erect, i.e. Create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase; by implication to own.">acquired</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: lə·p̄ar·‘ōh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">for Pharaoh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: ’aḏ·maṯ (N-fsc) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·ra·yim (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">in Egypt;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4713.htm" title="4713: miṣ·ra·yim (N-proper-fs) -- Inhab. of Eg. From Mitsrayim; a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim.">the Egyptians,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one and all,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: mā·ḵə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">sold</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: śā·ḏê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">their fields</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: hā·rā·‘āḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">the famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: ḥā·zaq (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">was so severe</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">upon them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">The land</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tə·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">became Pharaoh’s,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: lə·p̄ar·‘ōh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings."></a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>and Joseph reduced the people to servitude from one end of Egypt to the other.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-56.htm">Genesis 41:56-57</a></span><br />When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. / And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Genesis 47:13-14</a></span><br />There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. / Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11</a></span><br />So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-23.htm">Leviticus 25:23-24</a></span><br />The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me. / Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-15.htm">1 Kings 21:15-16</a></span><br />When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to give it to you for silver. For Naboth is no longer alive, but dead.” / And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-6.htm">2 Kings 8:6</a></span><br />When the king asked the woman, she confirmed it. So the king appointed for her an officer, saying, “Restore all that was hers, along with all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the country until now.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-3.htm">Nehemiah 5:3-5</a></span><br />Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” / Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. / We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8</a></span><br />Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-43.htm">Jeremiah 32:43-44</a></span><br />And fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it has been delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans.’ / Fields will be purchased with silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed, and witnessed in the land of Benjamin, in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah—the cities of the hill country, the foothills, and the Negev—because I will restore them from captivity, declares the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-12.htm">Ezekiel 7:12-13</a></span><br />The time has come; the day has arrived. Let the buyer not rejoice and the seller not mourn, for wrath is upon the whole multitude. / The seller will surely not recover what he sold while both remain alive. For the vision concerning the whole multitude will not be revoked, and because of their iniquity, not one of them will preserve his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-21.htm">Matthew 19:21-22</a></span><br />Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-21.htm">Mark 10:21-22</a></span><br />Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a></span><br />Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-22.htm">Luke 18:22-23</a></span><br />On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.</p><p class="hdg">no references listed for this verse.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/47-14.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Buyeth</a> <a href="/genesis/47-15.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/39-5.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/genesis/47-15.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/genesis/47-17.htm">Exchange</a> <a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/genesis/41-48.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/41-48.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/genesis/47-19.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/46-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/47-17.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/47-19.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/47-14.htm">Pharaoh's</a> <a href="/genesis/41-53.htm">Prevailed</a> <a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/genesis/45-5.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Sore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-11.htm">Buyeth</a> <a href="/genesis/47-21.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/1-19.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/genesis/47-27.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Exchange</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/genesis/47-24.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/47-24.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/47-27.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/47-21.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/47-25.htm">Pharaoh's</a> <a href="/genesis/49-26.htm">Prevailed</a> <a href="/exodus/9-3.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/exodus/23-19.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/genesis/50-10.htm">Sore</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 47</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-1.htm">Joseph presents his father, and five of his brothers before Pharaoh.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-11.htm">He gives them habitation and maintenance.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">He gets the Egyptian's money;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-16.htm">their cattle;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-18.htm">and their lands, except the priests', to Pharaoh.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-23.htm">He restores the land for a fifth.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-28.htm">Jacob's age.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/47-29.htm">He swears Joseph to bury him with his fathers.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/47.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/47.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt;</b><br>Joseph, as the vizier of Egypt, acted on behalf of Pharaoh, consolidating power and resources during a time of crisis. This acquisition of land reflects the centralization of authority, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. Joseph's actions can be seen as a fulfillment of the dreams he interpreted for Pharaoh, where he foresaw the need to prepare for a severe famine. This centralization also foreshadows the later enslavement of the Israelites, as the Egyptians themselves become dependent on Pharaoh's provisions. Joseph's role as a savior figure during the famine can be seen as a type of Christ, who provides spiritual sustenance and salvation.<p><b>the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them.</b><br>The severity of the famine forced the Egyptians to sell their land, highlighting the desperation and dire circumstances they faced. This reflects the historical reality of famines in the ancient world, which often led to significant social and economic upheaval. The phrase "one and all" emphasizes the widespread impact of the famine, affecting every level of society. This situation can be compared to the spiritual famine described in <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a>, where there is a lack of hearing the words of the Lord. The Egyptians' willingness to sell their fields underscores the theme of reliance on a higher power for survival, paralleling the spiritual dependence on God.<p><b>The land became Pharaoh’s,</b><br>The transfer of land ownership to Pharaoh signifies a shift in economic and social structures, with Pharaoh gaining unprecedented control over the resources of Egypt. This centralization of land under Pharaoh's control can be seen as a precursor to the later enslavement of the Israelites, as it sets a precedent for the absolute authority of the Egyptian ruler. Theologically, this can be viewed as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation, as ultimately, all land and resources belong to Him. The consolidation of land under Pharaoh also serves as a backdrop for the eventual Exodus, where God demonstrates His power and authority over earthly rulers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The son of Jacob, who rose to power in Egypt as Pharaoh's second-in-command. He was responsible for managing the resources during the severe famine.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt, who benefited from Joseph's management of the famine crisis, acquiring all the land in Egypt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egyptians.htm">Egyptians</a></b><br>The people of Egypt who, due to the severity of the famine, sold their land to Pharaoh in exchange for food.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>A severe and prolonged shortage of food that affected Egypt and surrounding regions, leading to economic and social changes.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where these events took place, a significant location in the biblical account, especially in the account of Joseph and the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_wisdom.htm">Stewardship and Wisdom</a></b><br>Joseph's management of resources during the famine demonstrates the importance of wise stewardship and planning for future needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/economic_impact_of_crisis.htm">Economic Impact of Crisis</a></b><br>The famine led to significant economic changes, reminding us of the need to trust God and seek His wisdom in times of crisis.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the difficult circumstances, God's plan was at work, using Joseph to preserve life and fulfill His promises to Abraham's descendants.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>The Egyptians' dependence on Pharaoh for survival can remind us of our need to depend on God, who provides for our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/social_justice_and_compassion.htm">Social Justice and Compassion</a></b><br>The account challenges us to consider how we respond to those in need and the importance of compassion and justice in our dealings with others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_47.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 47</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_non-biblical_record_of_gen_47.htm">Why is there no clear non-biblical documentation of both a severe seven-year famine and the Hebrews thriving in Egypt (Genesis 47)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_egypt's_7-year_famine.htm">Genesis 41:30–31: Where is the historical or archeological evidence of a widespread seven-year famine affecting Egypt so severely? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_hebrews_thriving_in_egypt.htm">Throughout Genesis 39, is there any evidence outside the text that corroborates the presence of Hebrews prospering in Egypt under divine favor?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible_say_on_famine's_impact.htm">How does the Bible describe famine's impact?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/47.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">So the land became Pharaoh's.</span>--Joseph has been accused of reducing a free people to slavery by his policy. Undoubtedly he did vastly increase the royal power; but from what we read of the vassalage under which the Egyptians lived to a multitude of petty sovereigns, and also to their wives, their priests, and their embalmers, an increase in the power of the king, so as to make it predominant, would be to their advantage. The statement made here that the land in Egypt belonged entirely to the king is confirmed by Herodotus and other Greek authorities. The same is the case in India at this day; only, instead of the rent being a fifth part of the produce, it is in India a fixed annual sum, which is settled at comparatively distant intervals. In Burmah the agriculturists hold their land directly from the Crown.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/47.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so</span> (literally, <span class="accented">and</span>) <span class="cmt_word">the land became Pharaoh's</span>. From this it may be concluded that originally Pharaoh had no legal claim to the soil, but that the people had a valid title to its absolute possession, each man being regarded as the legitimate proprietor of the portion on which he had expended the labor of cultivation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/47-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֜ף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">acquired</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֨קֶן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·qen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7069.htm">Strong's 7069: </a> </span><span class="str2">To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for Pharaoh</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפַרְעֹ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ar·‘ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the land</span><br /><span class="heb">אַדְמַ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(’aḏ·maṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ground, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Egypt;</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְרַ֙יִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Egyptians,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְרַ֙יִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4713.htm">Strong's 4713: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one and all,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sold</span><br /><span class="heb">מָכְר֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ḵə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their fields</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂדֵ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(śā·ḏê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the famine</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָעָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·‘āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> </span><span class="str2">Famine, hunger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was so severe</span><br /><span class="heb">חָזַ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·zaq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon them.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֖רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">became Pharaoh’s,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּהִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/47-20.htm">Genesis 47:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/47-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 47:20 So Joseph bought all the land (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/47-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 47:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 47:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/47-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 47:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 47:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>