Genesis 47:19 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Egyptians offer themselves and their land to Pharaoh in exchange for bread and seed to plant.
The Context of Genesis 47:19
Desperate Egyptians offer themselves and their land for bread and seed.
What Does Genesis 47:19 Mean?
Faced with starvation and having no other assets, the Egyptians propose a final transaction: they will surrender themselves and their land to Pharaoh in exchange for bread and seed. Their plea—'wherefore shall we die before thine eyes?'—appeals to Pharaoh's interest in preserving his population and land. They offer servitude as the price for survival and the means to restore the land.
The Egyptians' offer demonstrates how desperation can lead to the loss of freedom. Yet their request for seed shows hope—they ask not just for immediate bread but for the means to plant and harvest, imagining a return to agricultural productivity. Joseph and Pharaoh will facilitate this exchange, creating a new social order where the people become servants and Egypt's land belongs to Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:19 in the Original Language
'Servants' (עַבְדִים, avadîm) means those bound to service, but here it emerges from voluntary agreement, not conquest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 47:19
What does Genesis 47:19 mean?
The Egyptians offer themselves and their land to Pharaoh in exchange for bread and seed to plant.
What is the context of Genesis 47:19?
Desperate Egyptians offer themselves and their land for bread and seed.