And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
GENESIS 47:24KJVWhat does Genesis 47:24 mean?
Genesis 47:24 describes how, during a time of famine in Egypt, the people were instructed to give one-fifth (20%) of their harvest to Pharaoh, while keeping the remaining four-fifths for themselves to use as seed for planting and food for their families. This arrangement allowed Pharaoh to receive a portion of the produce while still leaving enough for the people to sustain themselves.
In this verse, Joseph is speaking to the Egyptian people after they had sold their land to Pharaoh in exchange for food during the famine. Joseph explains the new system: the people will farm the land for Pharaoh, but they can keep most of what they grow, only giving a fifth to Pharaoh as a form of tax or rent. This practical instruction set up a lasting policy in Egypt and shows how Joseph managed the crisis to benefit both Pharaoh and the people.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 47:24
- "increase" (תְּבוּאָה, tevu'ah): This word refers to the produce or yield of the land, emphasizing the actual crops harvested rather than just the act of planting or sowing.
- "fifth" (חֲמִשִּׁית, chamishit): The use of this word makes it clear that the required portion for Pharaoh was exactly one-fifth, or 20%, not a vague or arbitrary amount.
- "parts" (יָד, yad): Literally meaning "hand," this word is used here to refer to "parts" or "portions," highlighting the division of the harvest into specific shares.
- "seed" (זֶרַע, zera): This word points out that part of what the people kept was meant to be used for planting future crops, not just for immediate consumption.
Why Genesis 47:24 matters
- Genesis 47:24 clarifies that Joseph did not take all the people's produce for Pharaoh, but set up a system that allowed them to keep most of their harvest, which would have helped prevent resentment and ensured ongoing productivity.
- The verse shows Joseph's practical wisdom in managing a national crisis, balancing the needs of the state with the survival of the people.
- This arrangement became a lasting law in Egypt, shaping the relationship between the ruler and the people for generations, and it helps explain later references to Egyptian land and taxation in the Bible.