Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Egyptians approach Joseph in the second year after surrendering their livestock for food during the first year. They address him as "our lord" to report their depleted resources.
The words — The phrase וַתִּתֹּם (va.titom) literally means "and it was finished," marking the conclusion of the first year. The verb וַיָּבֹאוּ (va.yavo'u) translates to "and they came," describing their physical approach to Joseph.
The thread — The address "our lord" echoes the plea for royal intervention found in 2 Kings 6:26 and the complaint against officials in Jeremiah 38:9.
Why it lands — The text records the Egyptians stating their money and livestock are gone and only their bodies and land remain. It requires the reader to recognize their desperate pivot from financial exchange to physical servitude.
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
When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 6:26 As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, “Help me, my lord the king!”
- Jeremiah 38:9 “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.”