“And wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.”
This verse is part of the account of Joseph’s rise to power in Egypt and his interaction with his family during a severe famine. Here, Joseph’s brothers, along with their father Jacob (Israel) and their families, have come to Egypt seeking food.
In this verse, the brothers are speaking to Joseph, who is the second-in-command to Pharaoh and the administrator in charge of distributing grain during the famine. The brothers are desperate for food and offer to sell both themselves and their land to Pharaoh in exchange for sustenance.
Let’s examine some key points from this verse:
- Desperation in Famine: The famine was severe, and it had affected not only Egypt but also the surrounding lands, including Canaan where Joseph’s family lived. The brothers acknowledge their dire circumstances, realizing that without food, they and their land would perish.
- Willingness to Serve: In their desperation, the brothers propose a solution: they offer to become servants to Pharaoh in exchange for food. They are willing to give up their freedom and become slaves to secure the sustenance they need.
- Preservation of the Land: The brothers express concern for the well-being of their land. They request seed from Pharaoh so they can plant crops and ensure that the land does not become desolate. This demonstrates their understanding of the importance of agriculture and their desire to maintain the productivity of their territory.
This verse highlights the depth of the famine’s impact on Joseph’s family and their willingness to make sacrifices to survive. It also illustrates the power and authority that Joseph had attained in Egypt, as his brothers looked to him for help and sustenance.
The broader context of this passage reveals Joseph’s eventual reconciliation with his brothers and the reunion with his father Jacob. It serves as a turning point in the story, leading to the fulfillment of God’s plan to preserve and bless the nation of Israel.
In summary, Genesis 47:19 portrays the desperation of Joseph’s brothers during the famine, their willingness to become servants to Pharaoh, and their concern for the preservation of their land. It showcases the difficult circumstances faced by Joseph’s family and sets the stage for the subsequent events in the narrative.
