‘And when that year ended they came to him the second year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord how that our silver is all spent, and the herds of cattle are my lord's. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. Why should we die before your eyes, both we... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And as for the people he removed them to the cities from one end of the border of Egypt even to the other end of it.' This refers to a largish part of the people and was probably for administrative convenience. Not all would be taken away from the land. But the task of feeding the people was onero... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Only the land of the priests he did not buy. For the priests had a portion from Pharaoh and ate their portion which Pharaoh gave them, and for that reason they did not sell their land.' The priests were powerful and influential. Furthermore they were provided with their food by Pharaoh. Thus they... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Then Joseph said, “Behold I have bought you this day, and your land, for Pharaoh. Look here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land, and it shall be that at the ingatherings you shall give one fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food and for t... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they said, “You have saved our lives. Let us find favour in the eyes of my lord and we will be servants to Pharaoh.” ' The people are profoundly grateful. They do not look on Joseph's measures as harsh. They rather think of him as the one who has delivered them from disaster. He has well serve... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh's.' The writer summarises the position as it still is in his day. How long the fifth remained the standard we do not know. But when t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FAMILY TRIBE PROSPER - JACOB'S PLEA (GENESIS 47:27) Genesis 47:27 ‘And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they obtained possessions in it and were fruitful, and multiplied greatly.' This summary states what happened after the famine was over and covers many years. J... [ Continue Reading ]