Bible Strands
Genesis 41:34
Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joseph addresses Pharaoh and his court after interpreting the royal dreams, proposing a centralized grain management system to prepare for seven years of plenty.
The words — יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה (ya'aseh) literally means "let him act," and פְּקִדִ֖ים (pekidim) translates to "overseers" or "commissioners."
The thread — This directive for appointed administrators runs parallel to other biblical mandates for structured leadership, including the military commanders in Numbers 31:14 and the royal guards in 2 Kings 11:11.
Why it lands — It demands that readers treat foresight and systematic preparation as concrete actions rather than abstract ideals.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 6:6 Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
- Numbers 31:14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle.
- 2 Kings 11:11 And the guards stood with weapons in hand surrounding the king by the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
- 2 Chronicles 34:12 And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites overseeing them were Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descendants of Kohath. Other Levites, all skilled with musical instruments,
- Nehemiah 11:9 Joel son of Zichri was the officer over them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the Second District of the city.
- Job 5:20 In famine He will redeem you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.
- Psalms 33:19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
- Proverbs 22:3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
- Proverbs 27:12 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
- Luke 16:5 And he called in each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master?’ he asked the first.