Genesis 47:19

KJV

Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give [us] seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore shall we die {H4191} before thine eyes {H5869}, both we and our land {H127}? buy {H7069} us and our land {H127} for bread {H3899}, and we and our land {H127} will be servants {H5650} unto Pharaoh {H6547}: and give {H5414} us seed {H2233}, that we may live {H2421}, and not die {H4191}, that the land {H127} be not desolate {H3456}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be enslaved to Pharaoh. But also give us seed to plant, so that we can stay alive and not die, and so that the land won't become barren."

Berean Standard Bible

Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food. Then we, along with our land, will be slaves to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”

American Standard Version

wherefore should we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, and that the land be not desolate.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 47:19 captures the desperate plea of the Egyptian populace to Pharaoh during the severe famine, offering their very lives and ancestral land in exchange for food and seed for future planting. Having exhausted all other assets, they willingly surrender their personal freedom and property, acknowledging their complete dependence on Pharaoh's provision to survive and prevent the desolation of their nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse occurs at the climax of the famine narrative within the larger Joseph story, specifically following the exhaustion of all the Egyptians' financial and livestock assets. Earlier, Joseph, as Pharaoh's prime minister, had meticulously prepared for the seven-year famine by storing grain during the years of abundance, a plan divinely revealed to Pharaoh (see [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Pharaoh's Dreams and Joseph's Rise")). The people first spent all their money to buy grain (as detailed in [Genesis 47:14](/genesis/47-14 "Genesis 47:14 - Egyptians' Money Exhausted")), then traded their livestock for food (recorded in [Genesis 47:17](/genesis/47-17 "Genesis 47:17 - Livestock for Food")). With no remaining possessions, their plea in verse 19 represents the ultimate act of desperation: surrendering their personal liberty and hereditary land to escape starvation. This policy ultimately centralized all land ownership under Pharaoh, establishing a system where the people became his tenants, paying a fifth of their produce as tax (as seen in [Genesis 47:26](/genesis/47-26 "Genesis 47:26 - The Fifth-Part Tax")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was an agrarian society, and land ownership was foundational to wealth, status, and family inheritance. The Nile River's annual inundation was critical for agriculture, and a prolonged famine, as described here, was an existential threat. Pharaoh was considered a divine king, the ultimate owner of all Egypt, and the people's appeal to him reflects this hierarchical structure and their understanding of his absolute authority. Their offer to become "servants" (bonded laborers) and to surrender their land was a drastic measure, indicating the severity of the crisis and the cultural acceptance of such a transaction in times of extreme need, especially when the alternative was death. This event significantly reshaped the socio-economic landscape of Egypt, consolidating immense power and wealth in the hands of the pharaoh.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 47:19 contributes to several overarching themes within the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **divine providence** at work through human agency, as Joseph's God-given wisdom and foresight are the direct cause of Egypt's survival. The verse also underscores the theme of **human desperation and survival**, revealing the extreme measures people will take when faced with existential threats. Furthermore, it exemplifies **wise stewardship and governance**, as Joseph's policies, though leading to a radical societal restructuring, ultimately preserved life. Finally, it demonstrates the **centralization of power and resources** under a sovereign authority, a pattern observed throughout history in times of crisis, where the state often expands its control in exchange for security and provision.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 47:19 vividly portrays the extreme desperation of a people facing starvation, driven to offer their fundamental rights and possessions for survival. The verse encapsulates a moment of profound vulnerability and the strategic consolidation of power by Pharaoh through Joseph's administration.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** H4191 - This primitive root signifies the cessation of life, whether literally or figuratively, and can also mean to be killed. In this context, it conveys the imminent and horrifying reality of death by starvation that the Egyptians face. Their rhetorical question, "Wherefore shall we die...?", underscores the absolute finality and terror of their situation, emphasizing that their very existence is at stake.
* **buy (Hebrew, _qânâh'_):** H7069 - This root means to acquire, especially by purchase, but also by creation or possession. Here, it implies a complete and permanent transfer of ownership. The people are not merely asking for a transaction of goods for money; they are offering themselves and their land as the commodity to be "bought," signifying a total surrender of their autonomy and property rights in exchange for life-sustaining provisions.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** H2233 - Derived from a root meaning "to sow," this word refers to literal seed for planting, but can also figuratively mean fruit, plant, or posterity. In this verse, the request for "seed" is crucial because it represents not just immediate sustenance but the hope for future life, agricultural renewal, and the prevention of total desolation. Without seed, there would be no future harvest, ensuring continued starvation and the permanent barrenness of the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land?"**: This rhetorical question is a desperate plea, highlighting the imminent threat of death for both the people and their agricultural society. It appeals directly to Pharaoh's awareness and responsibility, implying that their demise would be a failure on his part, or at least a tragedy he would witness. The inclusion of "our land" alongside "we" emphasizes the holistic nature of their impending demise—not just individual lives but the very fabric of their societal existence and agricultural future.
* **"buy us and our land for bread,"**: The people offer the ultimate sacrifice: their persons and their ancestral property. The verb "buy" (Hebrew *qânâh*) here signifies a complete acquisition or transfer of ownership, demonstrating their willingness to become Pharaoh's property in exchange for the most basic necessity—"bread," which represents all life-sustaining food.
* **"and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh:"**: This clause explicitly states the terms of their offer. The Hebrew word for "servants" (*ʻebed*) denotes a state of bonded labor or servitude. This marks a radical shift in their social and economic status, transforming free citizens and landowners into perpetual tenants or subjects of the crown. The land, too, becomes Pharaoh's, and they are bound to work it for him.
* **"and give [us] seed,"**: Beyond immediate sustenance, the people request "seed" (*zeraʻ*). This is a forward-looking request, vital for future harvests. Without seed, even if they survived the immediate famine, they would face renewed starvation in the next planting season, leading to a permanent collapse of their agricultural economy.
* **"that we may live, and not die,"**: This phrase reiterates the core motivation behind their desperate offer. It underscores the stark choice they face: surrender and live, or retain their property and perish. It highlights the profound human instinct for survival.
* **"that the land be not desolate."**: This final clause emphasizes the profound fear of a complete collapse of their agricultural society and the permanent ruin of their fertile land. It reflects a concern for the long-term viability of their nation, not just their individual survival. The word "desolate" (*yâsham*) paints a picture of utter barrenness and ruin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the urgency and desperation of the situation. The opening, "Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land?", is a potent **rhetorical question**, not seeking an answer but emphasizing the direness of their plight and appealing to Pharaoh's compassion and responsibility. The repeated phrase "we and our land" functions as **repetition** and **synecdoche**, where "land" represents not just the physical ground but the entire societal and economic structure tied to it, underscoring the holistic nature of their impending collapse. The phrase also uses **hyperbole** to stress the extremity of their situation, implying that without intervention, total annihilation of both people and productive capacity is inevitable. Furthermore, the request for "seed" serves as powerful **symbolism**, representing not just future harvests but the very hope for life, renewal, and the prevention of utter desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 47:19, while a record of human desperation and political maneuvering, also deeply intertwines with broader theological themes. It powerfully illustrates God's overarching **divine sovereignty and provision**, demonstrating how He works through human agents and even through challenging circumstances to preserve life and fulfill His purposes. Joseph's wisdom, divinely granted, averted a catastrophic famine, turning a potential disaster into a means of sustenance for all, including the nascent nation of Israel residing in Goshen. The willingness of the Egyptians to sacrifice everything for life highlights humanity's fundamental dependence on a higher power for sustenance, mirroring our ultimate dependence on God for spiritual and physical life. This narrative also implicitly contrasts the temporary nature of earthly possessions and freedom with the ultimate value of life itself, and the wisdom of preparing for future difficulties through responsible stewardship.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Redemptive Purpose in Joseph's Life")
* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man Lives by Every Word of God")
* [Psalm 33:18-19](/psalms/33-18-19 "God Preserves the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 47:19 offers profound lessons on human resilience, the wisdom of preparation, and the ultimate source of provision. In times of severe crisis, fundamental needs often eclipse other concerns like property or personal freedom, prompting us to re-evaluate our priorities and what we truly value. Joseph's example underscores the importance of foresight and responsible stewardship, reminding us that preparing for future difficulties, both materially and spiritually, is a mark of wisdom. This passage challenges us to consider our own dependencies: on whom or what do we ultimately rely for our sustenance and security? It reminds us that even in scarcity and profound human desperation, God remains the ultimate provider, capable of sustaining His people through unexpected means and individuals, fulfilling His promise to meet our needs. Our readiness to surrender our perceived control and trust in divine provision, even when it demands significant sacrifice, is a testament to our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does this passage reveal about the true value of life versus material possessions or personal autonomy?**
* **How does Joseph's foresight and stewardship challenge me to prepare for future difficulties in my own life, both practically and spiritually?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own resources rather than trusting in God's ultimate provision?**

### FAQ

**Did Joseph's policy exploit the Egyptian people?**

Answer: Joseph's policy, while resulting in the centralization of land ownership under Pharaoh and the people becoming his tenants, was primarily a measure to prevent mass starvation and death during a severe, prolonged famine. The narrative presents it as a mutually agreed-upon solution to an existential crisis, not an act of arbitrary oppression. The alternative was widespread death, as the people themselves acknowledged in [Genesis 47:19](/genesis/47-19 "Genesis 47:19 - The Egyptians' Desperate Plea"). Joseph's actions ensured the survival of the nation by securing food distribution and future agricultural stability. While it led to a new socio-economic order where the people were bound to Pharaoh by a 20% tax on their produce (as established in [Genesis 47:26](/genesis/47-26 "Genesis 47:26 - The Law of the Fifth Part")), it was seen as a fair exchange for their lives and the preservation of their land from desolation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph's role in Egypt, culminating in the desperate plea of Genesis 47:19, profoundly foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ. Just as Joseph, through divine wisdom, became the sole source of life and provision for a dying nation, demanding a surrender of all earthly assets for survival, so too does Christ offer ultimate life to a humanity perishing in sin. We, like the Egyptians, are called to surrender our "lives and land"—our self-sufficiency, our perceived ownership of ourselves and our futures—to Him in exchange for true spiritual sustenance and eternal life. Joseph's act of "buying" the people for bread prefigures Christ's ultimate purchase of humanity through His sacrifice on the cross (as seen in [1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price") and [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redeemed by His Blood")). Through His atoning work, we become His servants, not in bondage to a human king, but in glorious freedom and belonging to the King of Kings, who provides all things necessary for life and godliness (as promised in [2 Peter 1:3](/2_peter/1-3 "2 Peter 1:3 - God's Divine Power")). He is the true "Bread of Life" (as Jesus declares in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), offering eternal sustenance to all who come to Him, ensuring that we "may live, and not die," and that our spiritual land will not be desolate but fruitful in Him.

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

Job 2:4

And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Nehemiah 5:2

For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, [are] many: therefore we take up corn [for them], that we may eat, and live.

Nehemiah 5:3

[Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

Lamentations 5:6

We have given the hand [to] the Egyptians, [and to] the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.

Lamentations 1:11

All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.

Lamentations 5:9

We gat our bread with [the peril of] our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,