"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."
In this verse, we find ourselves in the midst of the story of Joseph and his rise to prominence in Egypt. Joseph, having interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and successfully overseen the storage of grain during the seven years of plenty, is now in a position of power and authority. As a result, Joseph is able to implement a plan to save Egypt and the surrounding nations from famine during the subsequent seven years of drought.
Within the broader context of Genesis 47, we see that Joseph has brought his family, including his father Jacob (Israel), and all of their livestock to Egypt to ensure their survival. Pharaoh welcomes Joseph’s family and gives them the land of Goshen to dwell in.
Genesis 47:22 specifically, this verse focuses on an exception to the land allocation that took place. Joseph did not buy the land of the priests because they had a specific provision made for them by Pharaoh. The priests were assigned a portion by Pharaoh, and they were sustained by the food provided by the Egyptian ruler. Consequently, they did not have to sell their lands to acquire food like the rest of the population.
This passage sheds light on the special status of the priests within the Egyptian society of that time. While the broader population had to sell their lands to obtain food during the famine, the priests were exempt from this requirement. They were supported directly by Pharaoh, ensuring their sustenance.
From a broader theological perspective, this verse emphasizes the concept of God’s provision and the importance of providing for those who serve in religious roles. In this case, the priests were granted special treatment because of their service to Pharaoh. It serves as a reminder of the responsibility of leaders and societies to ensure that those who are devoted to spiritual matters are cared for and not burdened by the same concerns as the rest of the population.
Overall, Genesis 47:22 highlights the unique status of the priests in Egypt during Joseph’s time and points to the significance of providing for those engaged in religious service.
