Bible Strands
Genesis 47:22
However, he did not acquire the priests’ portion of the land, for it had been given to them by Pharaoh. They ate the rations that Pharaoh supplied; so they did not sell their land.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — This verse is narrative description within Joseph’s administration of the Egyptian land seizure during the famine. It records the administrative exception made for the priestly class while the rest of the population was reduced to servitude.
The words — רַק (rak) translates as “only” or “except,” marking the boundary of Joseph’s acquisition. קָנָה (ka.Nah) means “he bought” or “he acquired,” describing the transaction Joseph executed with the general populace.
The thread — The exemption of the priestly class from state seizure recurs in Ezra 7:24, which explicitly forbids imposing tribute on priests and Levites. The presence of a priestly class in Egypt is established earlier in Genesis 41:45 through the identification of Potiphera.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to distinguish between state policy applied universally and privileges granted by prior royal decree. It demonstrates how administrative records in Genesis track legal distinctions between public land seizure and privately held priestly property.
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
Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Cross-references
- Ezra 7:24 And be advised that you have no authority to impose tribute, duty, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.
- Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
- Genesis 41:45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.
- Genesis 41:50 Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
- Deuteronomy 12:19 and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.
- Joshua 21:1 Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel
- 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.
- Nehemiah 13:10 I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields.
- Matthew 10:10 Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.
- 1 Corinthians 9:13 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings?