Genesis 41:47

KJV

And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the seven {H7651} plenteous {H7647} years {H8141} the earth {H776} brought forth {H6213} by handfuls {H7062}.

Complete Jewish Bible

During the seven years of abundance, the earth brought forth heaps of produce.

Berean Standard Bible

During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully.

American Standard Version

And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 41:47 vividly portrays the extraordinary agricultural abundance experienced during the initial seven years of plenty in Egypt, directly fulfilling Joseph's prophetic interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams. This verse underscores the immense divine provision that enabled Joseph to meticulously gather and store vast quantities of grain, strategically preparing the nation for the ensuing years of severe famine and demonstrating God's sovereign hand in sustaining life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 41:47 is nestled within the pivotal narrative of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, immediately following his divinely inspired interpretation of Pharaoh's two prophetic dreams concerning seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. Having accurately foretold these events and proposed a strategic plan for national survival, Joseph was elevated to the second-highest position in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. This verse marks the tangible commencement of the prophecy's fulfillment, describing the unprecedented agricultural bounty that began to manifest, setting the stage for Joseph's divinely guided stewardship in collecting and storing the surplus grain in anticipation of the lean years ahead, as detailed in [Genesis 41:48-49](/genesis/41-48-49 "Joseph's Storage of Grain").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was an agrarian society whose prosperity was intimately tied to the annual inundation of the Nile River, which deposited fertile silt onto the floodplains. A "plenteous year" would typically signify a good Nile flood, leading to a successful harvest. However, the abundance described in Genesis 41:47 goes far beyond typical good years, implying a supernatural level of fertility. Pharaoh's dreams, and Joseph's interpretation, would have been understood within a cultural framework where dreams were considered significant divine communications. The concept of a central authority managing resources, particularly grain, was also common in ancient Near Eastern empires, but Joseph's systematic, large-scale storage program was unprecedented in its foresight and scope, reflecting a unique divine mandate for national preservation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating God's absolute control over natural phenomena and His meticulous orchestration of events to fulfill His purposes, even through seemingly secular leaders like Pharaoh and through the wisdom of His servant, Joseph. It also underscores the theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as the extraordinary harvests directly validate Joseph's interpretation, confirming God's faithfulness to His revealed word. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **Wisdom and Stewardship**, showcasing Joseph's divinely-given wisdom not only in interpreting dreams but also in implementing a practical, long-term strategy for resource management, a theme that resonates throughout the book, particularly in [Genesis 41:33-36](/genesis/41-33-36 "Joseph's Wise Counsel to Pharaoh"). The overwhelming **Abundance and Blessing** described here serves as a stark contrast to the impending famine, emphasizing God's capacity for superabundant provision even in the face of future hardship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **plenteous (Hebrew, _sâbâʻ'_):** From the root meaning "to be satisfied, full, or abundant," this word signifies copiousness, abundance, or plentifulness. In this context, it emphasizes the extraordinary, overflowing nature of the agricultural yield, far surpassing normal expectations and indicating a supernatural blessing rather than mere natural fertility.
* **brought forth (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root is broad in meaning, encompassing "to do or make." Here, it describes the active production of the earth, indicating that the land itself was performing an act of yielding or producing. The choice of this verb highlights the direct agency of the earth, under divine influence, in generating the immense bounty.
* **handfuls (Hebrew, _qômets'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to grasp," this noun literally means "a grasp" or "a handful." It vividly conveys the sheer volume of the produce. The imagery suggests that the yield was so immense that one could gather grain not just by cutting stalks, but by simply scooping up large quantities with ease, emphasizing an almost effortless, overwhelming abundance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the seven plenteous years":** This opening phrase precisely situates the events within the initial phase of the prophecy's fulfillment. The "seven plenteous years" are not just good years but years characterized by exceptional abundance, a direct result of God's providential hand, setting the stage for the strategic actions Joseph would undertake.
* **"the earth brought forth":** This clause highlights the direct agency of the land itself in producing the bounty. It implies that the fertility was inherent and active, not merely a result of human labor, but a divinely enabled outpouring from the ground. This phrasing emphasizes the supernatural aspect of the abundance.
* **"by handfuls":** This climactic phrase uses a powerful idiom to convey the unprecedented nature of the yield. It paints a picture of such overwhelming productivity that the harvest could be gathered not just in measured amounts, but in large, overflowing quantities, as if one could simply scoop up the grain with a full hand. It signifies a super-normal, almost effortless, and incredibly abundant harvest.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Hyperbole** and vivid **Imagery** to convey the extraordinary nature of the agricultural bounty. The phrase "brought forth by handfuls" is a hyperbolic expression, suggesting a yield so prolific that one could gather grain in large, effortless scoops, far exceeding typical harvests. This imagery evokes a sense of overwhelming abundance and divine blessing. The concise declaration of "seven plenteous years" followed by the description of the earth's yield creates a sense of **Fulfillment** and **Validation**, immediately confirming the accuracy of Joseph's prophetic interpretation and the power of God's word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:47 stands as a powerful testament to God's meticulous providence and sovereign control over creation. The extraordinary abundance described is not merely a natural phenomenon but a direct, supernatural manifestation of God's plan unfolding. It demonstrates His ability to orchestrate events, even through the natural world, to preserve life and fulfill His covenantal purposes, ultimately preparing for the preservation of Joseph's family, through whom the lineage of the Messiah would come. This divine foresight and overflowing provision serve as a foundational truth, reminding us that God's plan is comprehensive and extends to every detail of life.

* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "Blessings for Obedience")
* [Psalm 65:9-13](/psalms/65-9-13 "God's Provision in Nature")
* [Joel 2:23-26](/joel/2-23-26 "Promise of Restoration and Abundance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights into God's character and our human responsibility. It reveals a God who is not only sovereign over the grand sweep of history but also meticulously involved in the details of the natural world, providing abundantly for His purposes. The "seven plenteous years" were a season of extraordinary blessing, not for indulgence, but for strategic preparation. This calls us to a similar mindset: when God blesses us with abundance—whether material resources, time, talents, or opportunities—it is often for a greater purpose than immediate consumption. We are called to be wise stewards, recognizing that prosperity can be a divine provision for future needs, for the good of others, and for the advancement of God's kingdom. Just as Joseph's foresight saved a nation, our prudent management of blessings can have far-reaching impacts, demonstrating faith in God's future provision and our willingness to participate in His redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I recognize and respond to seasons of "plenty" in my own life, whether material, relational, or spiritual?**
* **In what ways can I practice wise stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to me, preparing for future needs or serving others, rather than consuming everything immediately?**
* **How does understanding God's providential care in Genesis 41:47 deepen my trust in His ability to provide for my needs, even in uncertain times?**

### FAQ
**What does "brought forth by handfuls" signify?**

Answer: This phrase, a translation of the Hebrew *biqmatzim* (H7062), literally means "by handfuls" or "by fistfuls." It is a vivid idiom signifying an extraordinary, unprecedented agricultural yield, far beyond normal harvests. It paints a picture of the land being so incredibly prolific that grain could be gathered almost effortlessly in large quantities, symbolizing an overwhelming divine blessing and supernatural abundance during these seven years of plenty. It emphasizes the sheer volume and ease of the harvest.

**How did Joseph's actions during the years of plenty prepare for the famine?**

Answer: Recognizing the divine nature and purpose of the abundance, Joseph implemented a comprehensive and divinely inspired strategy to collect and store a massive surplus of grain during the seven years of plenty. As described in [Genesis 41:48](/genesis/41-48 "Joseph's Storage Strategy"), he appointed officers throughout Egypt to gather one-fifth of the produce from the fertile land and store it in the cities. This foresight and diligent stewardship ensured that Egypt and surrounding nations had enough food to survive the subsequent seven years of severe famine ([Genesis 41:53-57](/genesis/41-53-57 "The Famine Begins")), thereby preserving countless lives, including his own family, who would later come to Egypt seeking food.

**Does this verse imply God's direct intervention in nature?**

Answer: Yes, the extraordinary abundance described in Genesis 41:47, characterized by the land bringing forth "by handfuls," is presented as a direct manifestation of God's providential hand. It is not merely a natural phenomenon but a supernatural blessing, explicitly linked to the fulfillment of Pharaoh's divinely revealed dreams interpreted by Joseph. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His meticulous plan unfolding through Joseph to sustain life and advance His redemptive purposes. The text attributes this exceptional yield directly to God's design.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, culminating in the overflowing provision described in Genesis 41:47, serves as a profound type of Christ. Just as Joseph was exalted from the humiliation of prison to a position of unparalleled power, becoming the savior and provider for Egypt and his own family during a time of great need, so too was Christ exalted from the humiliation of the cross to the right hand of God, becoming the ultimate Savior and Provider for all humanity. The physical abundance of grain that Joseph stored and distributed, preserving physical life, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual abundance found in Christ, who declared Himself the "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus: The Bread of Life")) and the "living bread that came down from heaven" ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "Jesus: The Living Bread")). Through Him, God provides everlasting spiritual nourishment and salvation, preparing us not just for earthly famines but for eternal life, demonstrating His ultimate foresight and provision for our deepest spiritual needs, securing a future of unending abundance for those who believe ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus: Abundant Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 26:12

¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

Psalms 72:16

There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and [they] of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.