Genesis 47:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 47:21 mean?

Genesis 47:21 says that Joseph moved the people of Egypt into cities throughout the land, relocating them from one end of Egypt to the other. This was part of Joseph’s management during the famine, after the Egyptians had sold their land and themselves to Pharaoh in exchange for food.

In this part of Genesis, Joseph is acting as Pharaoh’s official during a severe famine. The people had already given up their money, livestock, and land to survive, so Joseph then relocates them to various cities across Egypt. This verse shows the extent of Pharaoh’s control and Joseph’s administrative actions to centralize the population during a crisis.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 47:21

• The word for "removed" (עָבַר, avar) often means "to pass over" or "to transfer." Here, it suggests a forced movement or resettlement, not just a casual relocation.
• The word for "cities" (עִיר, ir) points to urban centers, indicating that Joseph gathered people into established population centers rather than leaving them scattered on their former lands.
• The word for "borders" (גְּבוּל, gevul) means the boundaries or edges of Egypt, emphasizing that this resettlement was thorough and covered the entire country.

Why Genesis 47:21 matters

• Genesis 47:21 clarifies that Joseph’s actions were not just economic but also social, as he physically moved people, changing the structure of Egyptian society.
• This verse highlights the depth of Pharaoh’s power after the famine, showing that the people’s dependence on the state was now complete.
• Understanding this verse helps explain later developments in Exodus, where the Israelites are settled in a specific region (Goshen) and why the Egyptians might have viewed them as distinct from the rest of the population.