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 47:24KJV
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Genesis 47:24 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“increase” Hebrew H8393 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 23:10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:
  • Deuteronomy 14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
  • Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

“food” Hebrew H400 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
  • Exodus 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
  • Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

“ones” Hebrew H2945 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
  • Numbers 31:9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
  • Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;

“fifth” Hebrew H2549 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 1:23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
  • Numbers 33:38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,