King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion [assigned them] of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Only the priests' land did he not acquire, because the priests were entitled to provisions from Pharaoh, and they ate from what Pharaoh provided them; therefore they did not sell their land.
Berean Standard Bible:
However, he did not acquire the priests’ portion of the land, for it had been given to them by Pharaoh. They ate the rations that Pharaoh supplied; so they did not sell their land.
American Standard Version:
Only the land of the priests bought he not: for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them; wherefore they sold not their land.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Only the land{H127} of the priests{H3548} bought he{H7069} not; for the priests{H3548} had a portion{H2706} assigned them of Pharaoh{H6547}, and did eat{H398} their portion{H2706} which Pharaoh{H6547} gave{H5414} them: wherefore they sold{H4376} not their lands{H127}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ezra 7:24
- Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
Deuteronomy 12:19
- Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
Genesis 41:45
- And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt.
1 Corinthians 9:13
- Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
2 Thessalonians 3:10
- For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Matthew 10:10
- Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Genesis 14:18
- And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 47:22
Genesis 47:22 is set within the broader narrative of Joseph's administration over Egypt during a severe famine. After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph had risen to a position of power and had prepared the nation for the coming hardship by storing grain.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Providence:** The story illustrates how God's plan is fulfilled through Joseph, ensuring the survival of his family and the nations during the famine.
2. **Wisdom and Governance:** Joseph's wise management is highlighted, as he effectively deals with the crisis, including the acquisition of land and resources for Pharaoh.
3. **Social Structure:** The verse reflects the socio-economic system of ancient Egypt, where the priesthood held a special status, being supported by Pharaoh, which protected them from the economic hardships faced by others.
4. **Economic Control:** The passage underscores the extent of Pharaoh's control over the land and its people during the crisis, as he acquires all the land of Egypt, except for that of the priests.
**Historical Context:**
During the time of Joseph, which some scholars place in the Middle or Late Bronze Age (c. 2000-1200 BCE), Egypt's economy was heavily agrarian, and the Pharaoh was considered the ultimate owner of all the land. The priests were an influential class with religious and political power, often closely aligned with the Pharaoh. They were typically exempt from certain taxes and obligations, and in return, they performed religious duties and helped maintain the social order.
In the narrative, Joseph's policy of centralizing land ownership under Pharaoh during the famine would have been seen as a necessary measure to ensure the survival of the population and the stability of the state. The priests' land was not sold to Pharaoh because they received a regular stipend or provision from the royal treasury, which ensured their loyalty and prevented them from suffering economic distress that might destabilize their role in society.
This verse reflects the historical reality of the special status and economic security of the priestly class in ancient Egypt, as well as the broader themes of divine providence and the exercise of power and wisdom in governance.
*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: H127
There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲדָמָה
Transliteration: ʼădâmâh
Pronunciation: ad-aw-maw'
Description: from אָדַם; soil (from its general redness); country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H7069
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָנָה
Transliteration: qânâh
Pronunciation: kaw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own; attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover, redeem, [idiom] surely, [idiom] verily. - Strong's Number: H2706
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹק
Transliteration: chôq
Pronunciation: khoke
Description: from חָקַק; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task. - 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: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H4376
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָכַר
Transliteration: mâkar
Pronunciation: maw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender); [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self).