King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Let Pharaoh do [this], and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Pharaoh should do this, and he should appoint supervisors over the land to receive a twenty percent tax on the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
Berean Standard Bible:
Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
American Standard Version:
Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Let Pharaoh{H6547} do{H6213} this, and let him appoint{H6485} officers{H6496} over the land{H776}, and take up the fifth part{H2567} of the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714} in the seven{H7651} plenteous{H7647} years{H8141}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 22:3
- ¶ A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Numbers 31:14
- And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, [with] the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.
Proverbs 6:6
- ¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 6:8
- Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.
Job 5:20
- In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
Luke 16:5
- So he called every one of his lord's debtors [unto him], and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
Psalms 33:19
- To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 41:34
Genesis 41:34 is part of the narrative involving Joseph, who has been brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. Pharaoh has been troubled by dreams that no one can interpret, and these dreams involve seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean cows, and seven plump ears of grain being swallowed by seven withered ears. Joseph interprets these dreams as a prophecy of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.
The verse captures Joseph's advice to Pharaoh on how to prepare for the impending famine. The themes include wisdom, foresight, and administrative planning. Joseph's suggestion to Pharaoh is to appoint officials to oversee the collection and storage of grain during the seven prosperous years, so that there will be enough food to sustain Egypt during the subsequent seven years of famine. The historical context reflects ancient Egyptian practices of storing surplus goods to safeguard against future scarcity, as well as the role of wise advisors in the administration of the state.
By recommending the collection of a fifth of the produce during the years of abundance, Joseph is advocating for a significant, yet sustainable, tax or tribute to ensure the survival of the population and the stability of the kingdom. This passage also illustrates the biblical theme of God's providence, as Joseph, through his God-given ability to interpret dreams, rises to a position of power and is able to save many lives, including those of his own family, who will later join him in Egypt.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6547
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
Transliteration: Parʻôh
Pronunciation: par-o'
Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H6485
There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּקַד
Transliteration: pâqad
Pronunciation: paw-kad'
Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. - Strong's Number: H6496
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּקִיד
Transliteration: pâqîyd
Pronunciation: paw-keed'
Description: from פָּקַד; a superintendent (civil, military or religious); which had the charge, governor, office, overseer, (that) was set. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H2567
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמַשׁ
Transliteration: châmash
Pronunciation: khaw-mash'
Description: a denominative from חָמֵשׁ; to tax a fifth; take up the fifth participle - Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. - Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - Strong's Number: H7647
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂבָע
Transliteration: sâbâʻ
Pronunciation: saw-baw'
Description: from שָׂבַע; copiousness; abundance, plenteous(-ness, -ly). - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).