Genesis 41:36 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 41:36 kjv
And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
Genesis 41:36 nkjv
Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine."
Genesis 41:36 niv
This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
Genesis 41:36 esv
That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."
Genesis 41:36 nlt
That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land."
Genesis 41 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 45:7-8 | "...God sent me before you to preserve life... to save many people alive." | God's use of Joseph for preservation |
| Gen 50:20 | "...You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring... to save many people alive." | Divine purpose in human events for good |
| Prov 6:6-8 | "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise... stores her provisions..." | Wisdom of preparation and forethought |
| Prov 21:20 | "Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." | Wise stewardship vs. reckless consumption |
| Prov 11:14 | "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in abundance of counselors there is safety." | Value of wise counsel in leadership |
| Prov 24:6 | "For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." | Wise leadership ensures success and safety |
| Ecc 7:12 | "For wisdom is a protection, just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it." | Wisdom's protective and life-giving power |
| Dan 2:20-22 | "...Blessed be the name of God forever and ever... He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." | Divine source of wisdom and understanding |
| Dan 4:17 | "...that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom he will..." | God's sovereignty over nations |
| Lk 12:16-21 | Parable of the rich fool who stored for himself but was not rich toward God. | Contrast with selfish storage, highlights true wealth |
| Lk 16:1-13 | Parable of the dishonest manager: highlights prudent use of resources. | Wise use of earthly resources and stewardship |
| Mt 25:1-13 | Parable of the wise and foolish virgins: Wise had oil prepared for future need. | Importance of readiness and preparation |
| Acts 11:28-30 | Agabus prophesied a great famine, and disciples sent relief. | Early church's practical response to famine |
| Ps 33:18-19 | "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him... to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine." | God's protection and provision during famine |
| Ps 37:19 | "...they shall not be put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they shall have abundance." | Assurance of provision for the righteous |
| Neh 9:21 | "...Your clothes did not wear out, and your feet did not swell, these forty years." | God's sustained provision for His people |
| Is 25:4 | "For you have been a stronghold to the poor... a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." | God as a refuge in times of trouble |
| Is 46:10-11 | "...My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose... I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass." | God's sovereign plan and execution |
| Jer 38:9-10 | Jeremiah in the cistern, saved by Ebed-Melech from dying of hunger. | Deliverance from perishing by hunger |
| Lam 2:19-20 | Descriptions of famine's devastating effects on children. | Severity of famine and its consequences |
| Lev 26:26 | Threat of famine and breaking of staff of bread as consequence of disobedience. | Famine as a potential divine judgment |
| Dt 28:48 | Threat of serving enemies in hunger, thirst, nakedness if disobedient. | Hardship resulting from unfaithfulness |
| Jas 3:17 | "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." | Practical, life-preserving nature of true wisdom |
Genesis 41 verses
Genesis 41 36 meaning
Genesis 41:36 instructs that the abundant food collected during the seven years of plenty should be kept as a vital reserve for the land of Egypt. The ultimate purpose of this strategic preservation is to safeguard the nation from perishing due to the impending and severe seven years of famine, demonstrating divine wisdom applied to practical governance for the sustenance and survival of a civilization.
Genesis 41 36 Context
Genesis chapter 41 details Pharaoh's two disturbing dreams of cows and grain, and his subsequent inability for his magicians and wise men to interpret them. Joseph, remembering his dream-interpreting ability in prison, is brought before Pharaoh. After interpreting the dreams as signifying seven years of abundant harvests followed by seven years of severe famine across all Egypt and surrounding lands, Joseph not only reveals the future but also provides a comprehensive, divinely inspired strategy for national survival. Verse 36 is the crucial final instruction of this plan, detailing the necessity and purpose of the grain storage, directly impacting the entire nation's fate. The historical context reveals ancient Egypt's dependence on the annual Nile floods; however, this prophesied famine transcended normal climatic fluctuations, demanding extraordinary, divinely guided foresight and planning.
Genesis 41 36 Word analysis
- And that food shall be as a reserve for the land
- food (Hebrew: ’ōkhel – אֹכֶל): Signifies general sustenance or provisions. Here, specifically the gathered grain. It underscores the basic need for survival and is a broad term for whatever provides nourishment, often contrasted with a state of hunger (ra'av).
- reserve (Hebrew: piqqādōn – פִּקָּדוֹן): More than just "storage," this term denotes a "deposit," "trust," or "something entrusted to be kept safely." It carries the connotation of responsibility and careful guardianship. This implies the stored grain is a sacred trust for the nation's well-being, not for individual gain or reckless spending. It speaks to stewardship.
- land (Hebrew: ’erets – אֶרֶץ): Refers specifically to the entire territory of Egypt, emphasizing the national scope and collective benefit. This highlights that the plan is for the well-being of the whole population, not just a select few.
- against the seven years of famine which are to be in the land of Egypt
- against (Hebrew: negdāh – נֶגְדָהּ): Meaning "opposite" or "for the face of," conveying direct preparedness and opposition to the famine. It highlights proactive, anticipatory action.
- seven years of famine (Hebrew: shiv‘a shnêy rā‘āv – שֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי רָעָב): Precise, prophetically revealed duration and nature of the crisis. rā‘āv (famine/hunger) is a severe condition leading to widespread distress, disease, and death in the ancient Near East, often viewed as a divine judgment or curse. This specification adds urgency and validity to Joseph's advice.
- land of Egypt: Reiteration emphasizes the direct impact on this specific nation.
- so that the land may not perish through the famine.
- perish (Hebrew: tikkārēth – תִּכָּרֵת from kārath – כָּרַת): "To be cut off," "to be utterly destroyed," "annihilated." This term describes a catastrophic end, not merely scarcity but complete demographic devastation. It conveys the life-or-death stakes involved and the extreme consequence that Joseph's plan seeks to avert. It often carries theological weight, denoting the removal of a people or individual from existence or covenant.
- through the famine: Reaffirms the cause of the potential annihilation, reinforcing the critical need for the proposed solution.
Genesis 41 36 Bonus section
The profound counsel given by Joseph demonstrates God's sovereignty even over pagan nations and their leaders, orchestrating events for His grand redemptive purposes. Joseph's proposed system was an advanced form of national economic policy for its time, contrasting with common reliance on yearly Nile floods; it points to a divine foresight beyond natural phenomena. The term piqqādōn (reserve) carries strong ethical implications, signifying something entrusted to be cared for with integrity. This principle can be applied to modern stewardship of resources—financial, natural, and spiritual—reminding believers to use what God has provided with foresight, prudence, and for the benefit of the wider community, not solely for personal accumulation, thereby averting "perishing" of various kinds, be it economic, social, or spiritual.
Genesis 41 36 Commentary
Genesis 41:36 stands as a profound testament to practical wisdom informed by divine revelation. It encapsulates Joseph's ultimate objective: the preservation of a nation. This is not mere financial foresight but a comprehensive plan for survival born from God's communicated truth. The use of "reserve" (piqqādōn) elevates the stored grain from a simple commodity to a sacred trust for the people's collective welfare. This verse beautifully illustrates how divine insight can translate into tangible, life-saving strategies for even the most dire circumstances. It shows that God's concern extends beyond spiritual matters to the physical well-being and governance of human societies. It implicitly contrasts the short-sightedness and immediate gratification that often characterize human leaders with the far-reaching, benevolent vision offered through divine wisdom, saving a major power from utter collapse. This action eventually secured the survival of the very family that would become the nation of Israel.