Genesis 47:15

And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

And when money {H3701} failed {H8552} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, and in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, all the Egyptians {H4714} came {H935} unto Joseph {H3130}, and said {H559}, Give {H3051} us bread {H3899}: for why should we die {H4191} in thy presence? for the money {H3701} faileth {H656}.

When all the money in Egypt had been spent, and likewise in Kena'an, all the Egyptians approached Yosef and said, "Give us something to eat, even though we have no money; why should we die before your eyes?"

When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!”

And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for our money faileth.

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 47:15 KJV

Genesis 47:15 describes a critical turning point during the severe famine in ancient Egypt and the land of Canaan. After years of drought and crop failure, the people's financial resources, particularly their money, had completely run out. This verse highlights their desperation as they approached Joseph, Pharaoh's chief administrator, pleading for food to survive.

Context

This verse is situated deep within the narrative of Joseph's rise to power and his providential role in saving Egypt and the surrounding regions from a devastating seven-year famine. Earlier, Joseph had wisely advised Pharaoh to store up grain during the seven years of plenty, anticipating the coming scarcity. For a time, the Egyptians and others (including Joseph's own family) were able to purchase grain with their money. However, as the famine persisted and intensified, the financial system collapsed, leading to the desperate plea presented in this verse. This economic shift sets the stage for Joseph's subsequent policies regarding livestock and land.

Key Themes

  • Severity of the Famine: The phrase "when money failed" powerfully conveys the extreme and debilitating nature of the famine, indicating that basic economic functions had ceased. It demonstrates the widespread and severe nature of the famine across the known world.
  • Human Desperation and Vulnerability: The plea, "Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence?", underscores the profound human need and the complete dependence of the people on Joseph's provision. It reflects their fear of starvation and their trust in Joseph as the sole source of relief.
  • Joseph's Foresight and Stewardship: This verse implicitly praises Joseph's administrative genius and God-given wisdom. Without his meticulous preparation and storage of grain, the entire population would have perished, highlighting the importance of wise leadership in times of crisis.
  • Economic Transformation: The failure of money forced a new economic model, where other assets (and eventually, labor and land) became the medium of exchange for survival, showcasing a significant shift in ancient economic practices.

Practical Application

Genesis 47:15 offers timeless lessons for all generations:

  • Preparedness: The story of Joseph and the famine emphasizes the importance of foresight and preparation for future difficulties, whether personal, communal, or national.
  • Wise Stewardship: It highlights the critical role of wise and ethical leadership in managing resources, especially during times of crisis. Joseph's actions ensured the survival of a nation.
  • Dependence on Providence: Ultimately, the narrative points to God's overarching providence, using Joseph as an instrument to preserve life. It reminds us that even when human systems fail, God's plan prevails.
  • Compassion in Crisis: Joseph's willingness to continue providing for the people, even as their resources dwindled, serves as a model for compassion and care for those in dire need.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 21:3 (2 votes)

    Now therefore what is under thine hand? give [me] five [loaves of] bread in mine hand, or what there is present.

  • Genesis 47:18 (2 votes)

    When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide [it] from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:

  • Genesis 47:19 (2 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 25:8 (2 votes)

    Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

  • Psalms 37:3 (2 votes)

    Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • Judges 8:8 (2 votes)

    And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered [him].

  • Matthew 6:11 (2 votes)

    Give us this day our daily bread.