Genesis 41:56

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The famine was over all the earth, but then Yosef opened all the storehouses and sold food to the Egyptians, since the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the store-houses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine was sore in the land of Egypt.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the famine^{H7458} was over all the face^{H6440} of the earth^{H776}: And Joseph^{H3130} opened^{H6605} all the storehouses, and sold^{H7666} unto the Egyptians^{H4714}; and the famine^{H7458} waxed sore^{H2388} in the land^{H776} of Egypt^{H4714}.

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Commentary for Genesis 41:56

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence:** The verse reflects the theme of divine providence, as Joseph, through God's guidance, has prepared Egypt for the famine, demonstrating God's care for His people.
- **Wisdom and Foresight:** Joseph's ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and plan for the future famine showcases the importance of wisdom and foresight.
- **Stewardship:** Joseph's role as a steward over Egypt's resources is highlighted, as he manages the storehouses and distributes food during the crisis.
- **Sovereignty of God:** The famine affecting the entire earth underscores the sovereignty of God over nature and human affairs.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Joseph's Elevation:** Prior to this verse, Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, rises to power in Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, which foretold seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.
- **Preparation for Famine:** As Pharaoh's right-hand man, Joseph implements a strategy to store grain during the plentiful years, effectively preparing Egypt for the impending famine.
- **Famine Arrives:** The famine has now spread across Egypt and beyond, fulfilling the prophetic dreams interpreted by Joseph.
- **Economic Management:** With the onset of the famine, Joseph begins to sell the stored grain to the Egyptians, likely transitioning from a centralized, free distribution system to an economic model that manages resources while also generating income for Pharaoh's treasury.
- **Global Impact:** The famine's reach "over all the face of the earth" suggests a widespread crisis, likely affecting trade routes and encouraging Joseph's brothers to later travel to Egypt in search of food, leading to the family's reunion.

In summary, Genesis 41:56 encapsulates the culmination of Joseph's God-given wisdom in action, as he manages the resources of Egypt to mitigate the effects of a severe famine, with the broader context reflecting God's oversight of human history and the interconnectedness of global events.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7458
   There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָעָב
   Transliteration: râʻâb
   Pronunciation: raw-awb'
   Description: from רָעֵב; hunger (more or less extensive); dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3130
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹסֵף
   Transliteration: Yôwçêph
   Pronunciation: yo-safe'
   Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7666
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁבַר
   Transliteration: shâbar
   Pronunciation: shaw-bar'
   Description: denominative from שֶׁבֶר; to deal in grain; buy, sell.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2388
   There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָזַק
   Transliteration: châzaq
   Pronunciation: khaw-zak'
   Description: a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.