Genesis 41:56 - The Famine Begins
When the famine had spread over all the land
The phrase indicates a widespread and severe famine, not limited to Egypt but affecting the entire region. This aligns with the dream interpretation Joseph provided to Pharaoh, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:29-30). The famine's reach emphasizes the fulfillment of God's revelation through Joseph, showcasing divine sovereignty over natural events. Historically, famines were common in the ancient Near East due to reliance on agriculture and the Nile's flooding patterns. This event sets the stage for the movement of Jacob's family to Egypt, a pivotal moment in Israel's history.
Joseph opened up all the storehouses
Joseph's actions demonstrate his wisdom and administrative skills, as he had prepared for the famine during the seven years of plenty by storing surplus grain (Genesis 41:48-49). This preparation reflects God's providence and Joseph's faithfulness in executing his duties. The storehouses symbolize God's provision and the importance of stewardship. Joseph's role as a savior figure foreshadows Christ, who provides spiritual sustenance to a world in need.
and sold grain to the Egyptians
Joseph's decision to sell grain rather than give it away highlights the economic strategies employed to manage resources and maintain order during the crisis. This approach ensured the sustainability of supplies and the functioning of the Egyptian economy. It also reflects the principle of work and reward, as seen in Proverbs 12:11. Joseph's actions preserved the nation and reinforced his position of authority, prefiguring Christ's role as a provider and sustainer.
for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt
The severity of the famine underscores the dire circumstances and the necessity of Joseph's leadership. It highlights the vulnerability of human societies to natural disasters and the need for divine intervention. The famine's impact on Egypt, a powerful and resource-rich nation, illustrates that no earthly power is immune to God's plans. This situation sets the stage for the Israelites' eventual enslavement and deliverance, a key theme in the biblical narrative of redemption.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
The son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. He is a key figure in this passage, responsible for managing Egypt's resources during the famine.
2. Egypt
The land where Joseph served under Pharaoh. It became the center of survival during the famine due to Joseph's foresight and God's providence.
3. Famine
A severe shortage of food that affected not only Egypt but also the surrounding regions. It was a pivotal event that led to Joseph's family eventually coming to Egypt.
4. Storehouses
These were the places where Joseph stored the grain during the seven years of plenty, as per Pharaoh's dream interpretation.
5. Egyptians
The people of Egypt who were directly affected by the famine and relied on Joseph's management of resources for survival.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Provision
God orchestrates events for His purposes, as seen in Joseph's rise to power and the provision during the famine.
Wisdom in Preparation
Joseph's management of resources during the years of plenty teaches the importance of planning and preparation for future challenges.
Faithfulness in Adversity
Joseph remained faithful to God despite his circumstances, and God used him mightily. This encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith.
Compassion and Stewardship
Joseph's actions during the famine demonstrate compassion and responsible stewardship, reminding us to care for others in times of need.
God's Redemptive Plan
The famine set the stage for the eventual migration of Jacob's family to Egypt, which was part of God's larger plan for Israel.
Verses 56, 57. - And the famine was over all the face of the earth (vide supra, ver. 54): And Joseph opened all the storehouses, - literally, all wherein was, i.e. all the magazines that had grain in them. The granaries of Egypt are represented on the monuments. "In the tomb of Amenemha at Beni-hassan there is the painting of a great storehouse, before whose door lies a great heap of grain already winnowed. Near by stands the bushel with which it is measured, and the registrar who takes the account" (Hengstenberg's 'Egypt and the Books of Moses,' p. 36) - and sold unto the Egyptians (cf. Proverbs 2:26); - and the famine waxed sore (literally, became strong) in the land of Egypt. A remarkable inscription from the tomb at Eileythia of Barn, which Brugsch ('Histoire d'Egypte,' second ed., p. 174, seqq.) assigns to the latter part of the seventeenth dynasty, mentions a dearth of several years in Egypt ("A famine having broken out during many years, I gave corn to the town during each famine"), which that distinguished Egyptologer identifies with the famine of Joseph under Apophis, the shepherd king (vide ' Encyclopedia Britannica,' ninth edition, art. Egypt); but, this, according to Bunsen ('Egypt's Place, 3:334), is rather to be detected in a dearth of several years which occurred in the time of Osirtasen I., and which is mentioned in an inscription at Beni-hassan, recording the fact that during its prevalence food was supplied by Amenee, the governor of a district of Upper Egypt (Smith's' Dict.,' art. Joseph). The character of Chnumhotep (a near relative and favorite of Osirtasen I., and his immediate successor), and the recorded events of his government, as described in the Beni-hassan monuments, also remind one of Joseph: - "he (i.e. Chnumhotep) injured no little child; he oppressed no widow; he detained for his own purpose no fisherman; took from his work no shepherd; no overseer's men were taken. There was no beggar in his days; no one starved in his time. When years of famine occurred he ploughed all the lands of the district, producing abundant food; no one starved in it; he treated the widow as a woman with a husband to protect her" (vide 'Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 1. p. 450). And all countries (i.e. people from all the adjoining lands) came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because the famine was so sore in all lands.
Hebrew
When the famine
וְהָרָעָ֣ב (wə·hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger
had spread
הָיָ֔ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be
over
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against
all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every
the
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face
land,
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land
Joseph
יוֹסֵ֜ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites
opened up
וַיִּפְתַּ֨ח (way·yip̄·taḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every
the storehouses and sold grain
וַיִּשְׁבֹּ֣ר (way·yiš·bōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7666: To deal in grain
to the Egyptians;
לְמִצְרַ֔יִם (lə·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt
for the famine
הָֽרָעָ֖ב (hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger
was severe
וַיֶּחֱזַ֥ק (way·ye·ḥĕ·zaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer
in the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land
of Egypt.
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa
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Genesis 41:56 Catholic BibleOT Law: Genesis 41:56 The famine was over all the surface (Gen. Ge Gn)