TRV
Translation
King James Version
And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
KJV (with Strong's)
Complete Jewish Bible
He collected all the food of these seven years in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities - the food grown in the fields outside each city he stored in that city.
Berean Standard Bible
During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it.
American Standard Version
And he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
World English Bible Messianic
He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was around every city, he laid up in the same.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And hee gathered vp all the foode of the seuen plenteous yeeres, which were in the lande of Egypt, and layde vp foode in the cities: the foode of the fielde, that was round about euery citie, layde he vp in the same.
Young's Literal Translation
And he gathereth all the food of the seven years which have been in the land of Egypt, and putteth food in the cities; the food of the field which is round about each city hath he put in its midst;
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In the KJVVerse 1,244 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 41 verses 46–57
46 ¶ And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
56 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.
57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Observe here, I. The building of Joseph's family in the birth of two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Gen 41:50-52. In the names he gave them, he owned the divine Providence giving this happy turn to his affairs, 1. He was made to forget his misery, Job 11:16. We should bear our afflictions when they are present as those that know not but Providence may so outweigh them by after-comforts as that we may even forget them when they are past. But could he be so unnatural as to forget all his father's house? He means the unkindness he received from his brethren, or perhaps the wealth and honour he expected from his father, with the birthright. The robes he now wore made him forget the coat of divers colours which he wore in his father's house. 2. He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction. It had been the land of his affliction, and in some sense it was still so, for it was not Canaan, the land of promise. His distance from his father was still his affliction. Note, Light is sometimes sown for the righteous in a barren and unlikely soil; and yet if God sow it, and water it, it will come up again. The afflictions of the saints promote their fruitfulness. Ephraim signifies fruitfulness, and Manasseh forgetfulness, for these two often go together; when Jeshurun waxed fat, he forgot God his Maker.
II. The accomplishment of Joseph's predictions. Pharaoh had great confidence in the truth of them, perhaps finding in his own mind, beyond what another person could, an exact correspondence between them and his dreams, as between the key and the lock; and the event showed that he was not deceived. The seven plenteous years came (Gen 41:47), and, at length, they were ended, Gen 41:53. Note, We ought to foresee the approaching period of the days both of our prosperity and of our opportunity, and therefore must not be secure in the enjoyment of our prosperity nor slothful in the improvement of our opportunity; years of plenty will end, therefore, Whatever thy hand finds to do do it; and gather in gathering time. The morning cometh and also the night (Isa 21:12), the plenty and also the famine. The seven years of dearth began to come, Gen 41:54. See what changes of condition we are liable to in this world, and what need we have to be joyful in a day of prosperity and in a day of adversity to consider, Ecc 7:14. This famine, it seems, was not only in Egypt, but in other lands, in all lands, that is, all the neighbouring countries; fruitful lands are soon turned into barrenness for the iniquity of those that dwell therein, Psa 107:34. It is here said that in the land of Egypt there was bread, meaning probably, not only that which Joseph had bought up for the king, but that which private persons, by his example, and upon the public notice of this prediction, as well as by the rules of common prudence, had laid up.
III. The performance of Joseph's trust. He was found faithful to it, as a steward ought to be. 1. He was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted, Gen 41:48, Gen 41:49. He that thus gathers is a wise son. 2. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came, and kept the markets low by furnishing them at reasonable rates out of his stores. The people in distress cried to Pharaoh, as that woman to the king of Israel (Kg2 6:26), Help, my lord, O king: he sent them to his treasurer, Go to Joseph. Thus God in the gospel directs those that apply to him for mercy and grace to go to the Lord Jesus, in whom all fulness dwells; and, What he saith to you, do. Joseph, no doubt, with wisdom and justice fixed the price of the corn he sold, so that Pharaoh, whose money had bought it up, might have a reasonable profit, and yet the country might not be oppressed, nor advantage taken of their prevailing necessity; while he that withholdest corn when it is dear, in hopes it will yet grow dearer, though people perish for want of it, has many a curse for so doing (and it is not a curse causeless), blessings shall be upon the head of him that thus selleth it, Pro 11:26. And let the price be determined by that golden rule of justice, to do as we would be done by.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 46–57. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 41:48 meticulously details Joseph's divinely inspired and diligently executed strategy for national food security during Egypt's seven years of abundance. Under Pharaoh's authority, Joseph systematically collected all surplus grain from the fields surrounding each city and meticulously stored it within those urban centers, establishing a comprehensive and decentralized reserve to sustain the population through the prophesied severe famine that would follow.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 41:48 is Repetition, particularly of the word "food" (Hebrew: ʼôkel). This triple recurrence emphasizes the central importance and sheer volume of the provisions being collected and stored. It underscores the meticulous and comprehensive nature of Joseph's task, highlighting that the entire national effort was singularly focused on securing this vital resource. Additionally, the verse employs Precision and Detail, providing a clear, almost administrative, account of the storage strategy. This meticulous detailing reflects the practical wisdom and organizational genius of Joseph, implicitly contrasting it with the potential chaos that would have ensued without such careful planning. The entire narrative of Joseph's famine preparation also serves as Foreshadowing, hinting at the immense scale of the impending crisis and the critical role this stored food will play in preserving life, including that of Joseph's own family, thereby fulfilling God's larger redemptive plan.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:48 profoundly illustrates the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While Joseph's wisdom was a direct gift from God, his diligent and meticulous execution of the plan demonstrates that God often works through the faithful, practical efforts of His people. This verse is a powerful testament to the biblical principle of wise stewardship, urging believers to manage resources—whether material, temporal, or spiritual—with foresight and prudence, especially during times of abundance. It teaches that blessings are not merely for consumption but for responsible deployment, anticipating future needs and challenges.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's actions in Genesis 41:48 provide a timeless blueprint for responsible living, urging us to cultivate foresight and diligent stewardship in every aspect of our lives. Just as Joseph wisely managed Egypt's abundance to prepare for a devastating famine, we are called to exercise prudence with the resources God entrusts to us—our finances, time, talents, and spiritual gifts. This means not squandering present blessings but investing them wisely, saving for future needs, preparing for potential hardships, and building reserves not just for ourselves but for the benefit of our communities and for God's kingdom. This proactive approach, rooted in faith and wisdom, prepares us not only for unforeseen challenges but also for the Lord's return, as seen in the call to readiness in Matthew 25:13. Ultimately, Joseph's story reminds us that God often works through our faithful and diligent efforts to accomplish His divine purposes, transforming potential disaster into an opportunity for His glory and the preservation of life, as it did for Joseph's family and the entire region in Genesis 45:7-8.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the food stored in the cities rather than a central granary?
Answer: Joseph's strategy of storing food "in the cities" and specifically "the food of the field, which [was] round about every city, laid he up in the same" was a highly practical, efficient, and divinely inspired approach. This decentralized system minimized the immense logistical challenges and costs associated with transporting vast quantities of grain across the entire land of Egypt to a single central location. Ancient transportation methods were slow and costly, making a centralized model highly inefficient for a nation of Egypt's size. By storing the surplus locally, it ensured that provisions were readily accessible to the populations in various regions when the famine struck, facilitating orderly distribution and preventing widespread panic or localized shortages. This foresight demonstrates Joseph's exceptional administrative wisdom, guided by divine insight, ensuring equitable and timely access to sustenance across the entire kingdom.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's meticulous gathering and storing of grain in Genesis 41:48, divinely inspired to save a nation from physical famine, serves as a profound foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate provision for humanity. Just as Joseph prepared for a physical crisis by accumulating earthly sustenance, Jesus Christ, the true Bread of Life, came to prepare for humanity's deepest spiritual crisis—the famine of sin and separation from God. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ "gathered up" the spiritual provisions necessary for eternal life, offering Himself as the inexhaustible sustenance that saves all who believe from spiritual death and judgment. He is the living water that quenches eternal thirst (John 4:14), and the bread that gives life to the world (John 6:35). His act of ultimate stewardship and foresight on the cross ensures that all who come to Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually, fulfilling the deepest need of humanity and providing an eternal storehouse of grace and salvation (John 3:16).