Bible Strands
Genesis 47:15
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!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — All the Egyptians approach Joseph after their money is exhausted and demand food to prevent starvation. They address him directly as the grain administrator during the famine's progression.
The words — The phrase וַ/יִּתֹּם הַ/כֶּ֗סֶף (va/i.yi.Tom ha./Ke.sef) literally translates to "the money was finished." This verb marks the conclusion of the initial asset-for-grain exchange described in Genesis 47:14.
The thread — The exhaustion of resources reappears in Genesis 47:18 when the Egyptians return the following year with depleted funds. The narrative pattern of desperate pleas for sustenance also appears in Judges 8:5.
Why it lands — The text records the moment human wealth is completely exhausted and survival shifts to livestock and future harvests. It requires the reader to track how economic collapse forces a transition from currency to labor and land management.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 47:18 When that year was over, they came to him the second year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord that our money is gone and all our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.
- Genesis 47:24 At harvest time, you are to give a fifth of it to Pharaoh, and four-fifths will be yours as seed for the field and food for yourselves and your households and children.”
- Judges 8:5 So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
- Judges 8:8 From there he went up to Penuel and asked the same from them, but the men of Penuel gave the same response as the men of Succoth.
- 1 Samuel 21:3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”
- 1 Samuel 25:8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can spare to your servants and to your son David.’”
- Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
- Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
- Isaiah 33:16 he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.