Genesis 47:13

ยถ And [there was] no bread in all the land; for the famine [was] very sore, so that the land of Egypt and [all] the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.

And there was no bread {H3899} in all the land {H776}; for the famine {H7458} was very {H3966} sore {H3515}, so that the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} and all the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667} fainted {H3856} by reason {H6440} of the famine {H7458}.

There was no food anywhere, for the famine was very severe, so that both Egypt and Kena'an grew weak from hunger.

There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine.

And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.

Commentary

Genesis 47:13 vividly portrays the dire consequences of the prolonged famine across the ancient Near East, specifically in Egypt and Canaan. This verse highlights the extreme scarcity of food, leading to widespread suffering and debilitation among the populations of both regions. It underscores the critical situation that made Joseph's foresight and administrative skills indispensable for survival.

Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of Joseph's administration in Egypt during the seven-year famine, which he had accurately predicted through interpreting Pharaoh's dreams. Years of plenty had allowed Joseph to store vast quantities of grain, but by the time of this verse, the reserves were becoming the sole source of sustenance. Jacob's family, the nascent nation of Israel, had already migrated to Egypt due to this very famine, finding refuge and provision under Joseph's care in the land of Goshen. The verse sets the stage for Joseph's subsequent economic policies, where people would eventually surrender their money, livestock, and even land for food, as described in Genesis 47:14-26.

Key Themes

  • The Severity of the Famine: The phrase "no bread in all the land" and the description of both Egypt and Canaan "fainting" emphasize the overwhelming and debilitating nature of the famine. It was not merely a shortage but a complete lack of basic sustenance, affecting vast geographical areas.
  • Joseph's Foresight and God's Providence: This desperate situation underscores the divine wisdom given to Joseph to prepare for such a calamity. Without his prior actions of storing grain during the years of plenty (Genesis 41:47-49), the entire region, including the family of Israel, would have perished. It demonstrates God's sovereign hand at work, even through natural disasters, to preserve His chosen people and fulfill His covenant promises.
  • Interconnectedness of Regions: The famine affected both Egypt, a powerful empire, and Canaan, the land promised to Abraham's descendants. This highlights the widespread impact of the crisis and explains why people from surrounding lands, including Jacob's family, came to Egypt for food.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV word "fainted" comes from the Hebrew verb 'ataph (ืขึธื˜ึทืฃ), which literally means "to cover," but in this context, it conveys a sense of being overwhelmed, feeble, or drooping from exhaustion and weakness. It paints a picture of a land and its inhabitants utterly depleted and collapsing under the weight of the severe famine, emphasizing the profound physical and economic distress.

Significance and Application

Genesis 47:13 serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of wise stewardship and preparedness, both individually and nationally. It also powerfully illustrates God's faithful providence and care for His people, even amidst the most challenging circumstances. The famine, while devastating, ultimately served God's larger purpose of bringing Jacob's family into Egypt, where they would grow into a great nation before their eventual exodus. For believers today, it encourages trust in God's plan and the wisdom He provides for navigating difficult times, knowing that He can use any situation to accomplish His will.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 7:11 (4 votes)

    Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

  • Jeremiah 9:12 (2 votes)

    ยถ Who [is] the wise man, that may understand this? and [who is he] to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth [and] is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?

  • Lamentations 4:9 (2 votes)

    [They that be] slain with the sword are better than [they that be] slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for [want of] the fruits of the field.

  • Joel 1:10 (2 votes)

    The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

  • Joel 1:12 (2 votes)

    The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, [even] all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

  • Genesis 41:30 (2 votes)

    And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

  • Genesis 41:31 (2 votes)

    And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it [shall be] very grievous.