Genesis 47:24
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.
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.
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.”
25 “You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”
26 So Joseph established a law that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh, and it is in effect in the land of Egypt to this day. Only the priests’ land does not belong to Pharaoh.
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
- 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.”
- KJV
- And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
- WEB
- It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of the field, for your food, for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.”
- ASV
- And it shall come to pass at the ingatherings, that ye shall give a fifth unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
- DARBY
- And it shall come to pass in the increase that ye shall give the fifth to Pharaoh, and the four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
- BLB
- And it shall come to pass at the harvest that you⁺ shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four of the hands shall be for you⁺: As seed of the field, and for your⁺ eating, and for those in your⁺ houses, and to eat for your⁺ little ones.”
- ÅB
- Og når avgrøden kommer inn, da skal dere gi en femtedel til Farao, og de fire deler skal dere ha til utsæd på deres akrer og til føde for dere og dem som er i deres hus, og til føde for deres barn.
- OTB
- Ved innhøstingen skal dere gi en femtedel til farao, og de resterende fire femtedeler skal være deres til såkorn for markene og til mat for dere selv, deres husstander og deres barn.”
- B1930
- Og når avgrøden kommer inn, da skal I gi en femtedel til Farao, og de fire deler skal I ha til utsæd på eders akrer og til føde for eder og dem som er i eders hus, og til føde for eders barn.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Genesis 41:34
Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
Read in contextPsalms 112:5
It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
Read in contextPsalms 41:1
Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
Read in contextGenesis 47:25
“You have saved our lives,” they said. “We have found favor in our lord’s eyes, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”
Read in context1 Samuel 8:15–17
He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.
Read in contextLeviticus 27:32
Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD.
Read in context