Genesis 47:22

Pharaoh

²⁰ So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh’s,

²¹ and Joseph reduced the people to servitude from one end of Egypt to the other.

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.

²³ Then Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have acquired you and your land for Pharaoh this day, here is seed for you to sow in the land.

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.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: 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.
KJV: 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.
WEB: Only he didn’t buy the land of the priests, for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and ate their portion which Pharaoh gave them. That is why they didn’t sell their land.
ASV: Only the land of the priests bought he not: for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them; wherefore they sold not their land.
DARBY: Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had an assigned portion from Pharaoh, and ate their assigned portion which Pharaoh had given them; so they did not sell their land.
BLB: Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for a fixed portion [belonged] to the priests from Pharaoh, and they ate their fixed portion that Pharaoh gave to them. Upon thus they did not sell their land.

ÅB: Bare prestenes jord kjøpte han ikke; for Farao hadde gitt prestene faste inntekter, og de levde av sine faste inntekter, som Farao hadde gitt dem; derfor solgte de ikke sin jord.
OTB: Men han kjøpte ikke prestene sitt land, da de mottok en regelmessig tildeling fra farao og levde av den, så de solgte ikke sitt land.
B1930: Bare prestenes jord kjøpte han ikke; for Farao hadde gitt prestene faste inntekter, og de levde av sine faste inntekter, som Farao hadde gitt dem; derfor solgte de ikke sin jord.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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.
Read in context
Joshua 21:1–45
Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel
Read in context
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.
Read in context
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?
Read in context
Genesis 41:50
Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
Read in context
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
Read in context
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.
Read in context
Galatians 6:6
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
Read in context