Bible Strands
Genesis 47:16
“Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joseph addresses the Egyptian populace who have exhausted their silver and are demanding food to avoid starvation (Gen. 47:15). He commands them to transfer their livestock to him so he can provide grain in return.
The words — הָב֣וּ (ha.Vu) translates as "give" or "bring," and אָפֵ֖ס ('a.Fes) means "it has come to an end." Joseph uses these terms to document the depletion of funds and to initiate the livestock exchange.
The thread — The asset-for-food transaction continues immediately in Genesis 47:17, where Joseph distributes grain for all their livestock throughout the year. This administrative model of resource redistribution parallels later biblical accounts of centralized provision during scarcity.
Why it lands — The text records a pragmatic economic shift without moral commentary, showing how leadership manages total financial depletion. It asks the reader to note the procedural steps taken when currency fails and survival depends on converted assets.
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 Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 12:17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
- Daniel 6:5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:32 Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
- Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.