Genesis 47:13-31 ▼

13 There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt (land of bondage) and Canaan (lowland) had been exhausted by the famine.

14 Joseph (YHWH has added) collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt (land of bondage) and the land of Canaan (lowland) in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s (great house) palace.

15 When the money from the lands of Egypt (land of bondage) and Canaan (lowland) was gone, all the Egyptians (double straits) came to Joseph (YHWH has added) and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!”

16 “Then bring me your⁺ livestock,” said Joseph (YHWH has added). “Since the money is gone, I will sell you⁺ food in exchange for your⁺ livestock.”

17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph (YHWH has added), and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their flocks and herds, and their donkeys. Throughout that year he provided them with food in exchange for all their livestock.

18 When that year was over, they came to him the second year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord that our money is gone and all our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.

19 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 (great house). Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

20 So Joseph (YHWH has added) acquired for Pharaoh (great house) all the land in Egypt (land of bondage); the Egyptians (double straits), one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh’s,

21 and Joseph reduced the people to servitude [removed the people to the cities] from one end of Egypt (land of bondage) to the other.

22 However, he did not acquire the priests’ portion of the land, for it had been given to them by Pharaoh (great house). They ate the rations that Pharaoh supplied; so they did not sell their land.

23 Then Joseph (YHWH has added) said to the people, “Now that I have acquired you⁺ and your⁺ land for Pharaoh (great house) this day, here is seed for you⁺ to sow in the land.

24 At harvest time, you⁺ are to give a fifth of it to Pharaoh (great house), and four-fifths will be yours⁺ as seed for the field and food for yourselves and your⁺ households and children.”

25 “You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s (great house) servants.”

26 So Joseph (YHWH has added) established a law that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh (great house), and it is in effect in the land of Egypt (land of bondage) to this day. Only the priests’ land does not belong to Pharaoh.

27 Now the Israelites (God prevails) settled in the land of Egypt (land of bondage), in the region of Goshen (drawing near). They acquired property there and became fruitful and increased greatly in number.

28 And Jacob (he grasps the heel) lived in the land of Egypt (land of bondage) seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.

29 When the time drew near for Israel (he wrestles with God) to die, he called his son Joseph (YHWH has added) and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt (land of bondage),

30 but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt (land of bondage) and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.”

31 “Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel (he wrestles with God) bowed in worship at the head of his bed.