Genesis 47:16

KJV

And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} said {H559}, Give {H3051} your cattle {H4735}; and I will give {H5414} you for your cattle {H4735}, if money {H3701} fail {H656}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef replied, "Give me your livestock. If you don't have money, I will give you food in exchange for your livestock."

Berean Standard Bible

“Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.”

American Standard Version

And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 47:16 marks a critical juncture in Joseph's famine management strategy, detailing the shift from monetary transactions to a bartering system where the Egyptian populace exchanges their livestock for grain. This verse underscores Joseph's strategic foresight and adaptable leadership in sustaining the population through the severe famine, ensuring their immediate survival while simultaneously consolidating Pharaoh's economic power and control over the land's resources and its people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of the seven-year famine that afflicted Egypt and the surrounding regions, as prophesied and prepared for by Joseph. Preceding this verse, [Genesis 47:13-15](/genesis/47-13-15 "Genesis 47:13-15 - The Famine's Impact and Money's Failure") describes the people's increasing desperation as their money runs out, leading them to approach Joseph with the plea, "Give us bread, for why should we die before your eyes? For money has failed." Verse 16 is Joseph's direct response to this crisis, initiating the second phase of his economic policy. This phase precedes the people offering their land and eventually themselves to Pharaoh in [Genesis 47:18-26](/genesis/47-18-26 "Genesis 47:18-26 - The People Surrender Land and Themselves"), illustrating a progressive deepening of their dependence and Pharaoh's control.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt's economy, while utilizing a form of currency (often in weighed metals), also heavily relied on agricultural produce and livestock as primary forms of wealth and exchange. During times of severe famine, as described here, traditional monetary systems would naturally collapse or become irrelevant when the essential commodity—food—was scarce and controlled by a central authority. Joseph's policy reflects a pragmatic adaptation to these extreme conditions. The concept of a ruler owning the land and its people was not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, and Joseph's actions, while preserving life, also served to solidify Pharaoh's absolute dominion, transforming the populace into a form of indentured servitude to the crown in exchange for survival.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 47:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God uses human agents, even through challenging circumstances like famine, to preserve life and fulfill His covenant promises, particularly concerning the survival of Jacob's family who are now in Egypt. The verse also showcases the theme of **Wise Stewardship and Leadership**, as Joseph's actions exemplify prudent management of resources and strategic planning in a crisis, a wisdom divinely bestowed upon him as seen in [Genesis 41:38-40](/genesis/41-38-40 "Joseph's Divine Wisdom and Authority"). Furthermore, it underscores the **Fragility of Human Self-Sufficiency** and the escalating **Cost of Survival**, as the people progressively surrender their assets—money, then livestock, then land, and finally their freedom—in exchange for life, reflecting humanity's ultimate dependence on a higher power for sustenance and existence, a theme echoed throughout [the Pentateuch](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cattle (Hebrew, _miqneh'_):** From H4735, meaning "something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition." In this context, _miqneh_ refers specifically to the people's livestock—their herds and flocks—which represented a significant portion of their wealth and means of livelihood. The exchange of cattle for grain signifies the depletion of liquid assets (money) and the move to a more fundamental form of wealth exchange, indicating the severity of the famine.
* **money (Hebrew, _keçeph'_):** From H3701, meaning "silver (from its pale color); by implication, money." _Keçeph_ here denotes the silver currency that the Egyptians had previously used to purchase grain. Its failure signifies the collapse of the conventional economic system and the inability of financial wealth to procure the most basic necessity for survival.
* **fail (Hebrew, _ʼâphêç'_):** From H656, a primitive root meaning "to disappear, i.e. cease; be clean gone (at an end, brought to nought)." This word powerfully conveys the absolute and complete exhaustion of the people's monetary resources. It is not merely a shortage, but an utter cessation, highlighting the dire straits they were in and the necessity of Joseph's new policy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph said,"**: This opening phrase establishes Joseph's authority and his role as the primary decision-maker and administrator under Pharaoh. It signifies his direct engagement with the people's plea and his immediate response to their desperate situation, highlighting his active management of the crisis.
* **"Give your cattle;"**: This is Joseph's direct command, initiating the new phase of the famine relief program. It mandates the exchange of livestock for grain, indicating a fundamental shift from a monetary economy to a barter system. This command reveals Joseph's strategic thinking, as he ensures the people's survival while also securing valuable assets for Pharaoh's treasury.
* **"and I will give you for your cattle,"**: This clause outlines the reciprocal agreement. Joseph, representing Pharaoh, promises to provide food in exchange for their livestock. This is not charity, but a managed transaction, preserving the dignity of exchange while addressing the critical need for sustenance. It underscores the state's control over the food supply.
* **"if money fail."**: This conditional clause, which in the Hebrew implies "because money has failed" or "since money has ceased," provides the justification for this drastic measure. It explicitly states the reason for the shift in policy: the complete depletion of the people's financial resources. This phrase emphasizes the severity of the famine's impact on the economy and the people's livelihood.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and impact. **Irony** is present in the fact that money, typically a symbol of power and security, has become utterly worthless in the face of a more fundamental need: food. The very thing that once facilitated exchange has "failed," forcing a return to a more primitive form of barter. **Symbolism** is evident in the "cattle" (**_miqneh_**), which represent the people's tangible wealth, their means of production, and their future security. The surrender of cattle symbolizes the increasing erosion of their independence and their deepening reliance on Pharaoh. Furthermore, the progression of the people's concessions—from money to livestock, then land, and ultimately themselves—can be seen as a form of **Climax** or escalating tension, vividly portraying the dire and worsening conditions of the famine and the increasing desperation of the populace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 47:16 profoundly illustrates the interplay between divine providence and human responsibility. Joseph's pragmatic and adaptable leadership, while seemingly a purely economic strategy, is ultimately an instrument of God's overarching plan to preserve life, particularly the lineage through which the Messiah would come. This passage reminds us that even in the most severe crises, God works through human agents and their wise decisions to sustain His people and purposes. It challenges us to consider what true security entails, revealing that material wealth can quickly become meaningless when basic necessities are absent, prompting a deeper reliance on God's ultimate provision.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [Psalm 37:19](/psalms/37-19 "Psalm 37:19 - The Righteous Will Not Be Ashamed in Evil Times")
* [Matthew 6:31-33](/matthew/6-31-33 "Matthew 6:31-33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 47:16 offers a powerful mirror for contemporary challenges, highlighting the critical importance of adaptability, foresight, and compassionate yet strategic leadership in times of crisis. It teaches us that true resilience is not simply about accumulating wealth, but about the ability to pivot, innovate, and prioritize fundamental needs when traditional systems fail. For individuals, this means cultivating resourcefulness, valuing essential skills over fleeting assets, and recognizing that our ultimate security rests not in what we possess, but in our capacity to adapt and our trust in a higher provision. For leaders, Joseph's example calls for courageous decision-making that prioritizes the well-being of the community, even if it requires difficult measures or a re-evaluation of conventional economic models. It underscores the spiritual lesson that in moments of extreme scarcity, the value of life itself transcends all material possessions, prompting us to consider what we would truly be willing to surrender for survival and sustenance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of true security and wealth in times of crisis?**
* **In what ways can I, or my community, cultivate greater adaptability and resourcefulness in the face of unexpected challenges?**
* **What does Joseph's leadership teach me about prioritizing essential needs over conventional economic structures?**

### FAQ
**Why did Joseph continue to extract wealth from the people instead of simply providing food as a charitable act?**

Answer: Joseph's policy, while ensuring the survival of the population, was also a shrewd administrative strategy designed to consolidate Pharaoh's power and wealth, reflecting the economic and political realities of ancient empires. His actions were not merely about charity but about establishing a sustainable system that managed the crisis, prevented societal collapse, and maintained state authority. By acquiring the people's livestock, and later their land and even their persons, Joseph secured long-term stability for Egypt, transforming its citizens into tenants of Pharaoh. This approach ensured that the state would not only survive the famine but emerge from it with even greater control over its resources and populace, setting a precedent for the future relationship between the people and the crown, as seen in [Genesis 47:26](/genesis/47-26 "Genesis 47:26 - The Law of the Fifth Part").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph, in his role as the provider of physical sustenance and preserver of life during a devastating famine, serves as a profound type of Christ. Just as Joseph, through his divinely-given wisdom and foresight, gathered and distributed grain to save an entire nation and his own family from perishing, so too does Christ, the ultimate "Bread of Life" (as declared in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), provide true spiritual sustenance that saves humanity from eternal death. Joseph's actions ensured physical continuation, albeit at the cost of worldly possessions and eventual servitude to Pharaoh; Christ's ultimate provision cost Him everything, as He gave His very life on the cross (as foretold in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")) to offer eternal life and freedom from the bondage of sin to all who believe. In Christ, we find a provision that never fails, a spiritual wealth that transcends all earthly currency, and a sacrifice that secures not temporary survival but everlasting life and true liberation (as promised in [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God is Eternal 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

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Colossians 4:5

¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Daniel 6:5

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God.

Daniel 6:7

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Proverbs 12:17

¶ [He that] speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.