Genesis 47:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Egyptians bring their livestock, and Joseph trades them grain in return, sustaining the population for another year.
The Context of Genesis 47:17
The Egyptians trade their livestock for grain, sustaining them through the famine year.
What Does Genesis 47:17 Mean?
The Egyptians comply with Joseph's offer, bringing their various livestock—horses, sheep, cattle, and donkeys—to exchange for bread. Joseph conducts these trades systematically, providing sustenance to the people in return for their animals. The arrangement sustains the Egyptians for another year of famine.
Joseph's management demonstrates both compassion and strategic administration. He keeps people alive while consolidating Pharaoh's wealth in livestock. The trade is not coercive in the moment—the Egyptians choose it to survive—yet it gradually shifts economic power toward the crown.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 47:17
What does Genesis 47:17 mean?
The Egyptians bring their livestock, and Joseph trades them grain in return, sustaining the population for another year.
What is the context of Genesis 47:17?
The Egyptians trade their livestock for grain, sustaining them through the famine year.