Genesis 41 48

Genesis 41:48 kjv

And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

Genesis 41:48 nkjv

So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them.

Genesis 41:48 niv

Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it.

Genesis 41:48 esv

and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it.

Genesis 41:48 nlt

During those years, Joseph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt and stored the grain from the surrounding fields in the cities.

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 48 meaning

Genesis 41:48 describes Joseph's meticulous execution of the famine-prevention plan in Egypt. During the seven years of abundant harvest, he diligently collected a massive quantity of grain from throughout the land. This food was then strategically stored in the cities themselves, specifically laying up the produce from the fields immediately surrounding each city. This action highlights Joseph's divinely-given wisdom and administrative foresight in preparing for the impending famine, ensuring that resources would be readily accessible across the kingdom when the lean years arrived.

Genesis 41 48 Context

Genesis 41 recounts Joseph's dramatic rise to power in Egypt. After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, which foretold seven years of abundant harvests followed by seven years of severe famine, Joseph proposed a strategic plan for food storage. Pharaoh, recognizing divine wisdom in Joseph, appointed him second-in-command over all Egypt. Verse 48 details the immediate and effective implementation of this plan. This crucial step ensured Egypt's survival during the impending scarcity, but also providentially positioned Egypt to become the place of refuge and sustenance for Joseph's own family, ultimately preserving the lineage through which God's covenant promises to Abraham would be fulfilled. Historically, ancient Egypt was highly centralized, and its agricultural economy depended almost entirely on the annual flooding of the Nile. Periods of insufficient floods, or even excessive ones, could devastate crops, making famine a very real and recurrent threat. Centralized grain storage, though on a scale less than what Joseph initiated, was an existing practice, but Joseph's system was unprecedented in its scope, foresight, and decentralized distribution for a coming nationwide disaster.

Genesis 41 48 Word analysis

• So he gathered: The Hebrew verb is וַיִּקְבֹּץ (wayyiqqebōṣ), derived from קָבַץ (qabaṣ), meaning "to collect, to assemble, to gather." It signifies an intentional, systematic collection, not haphazard accumulation. This demonstrates Joseph's diligent and active management.
• all the food: The Hebrew כָּל-הָאֹכֶל (kol-hāʾōḵel) emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the collection. אָכַל (ʾōḵel) specifically refers to food or sustenance, often implying grain as the primary staple in this context. It signifies that no viable produce was wasted; every usable resource from the abundant years was conserved.
• of these seven years: Refers to the שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים (shevaʿ shanim), precisely linking Joseph's actions to the prophetic dream Pharaoh had concerning the years of plenty, underscoring his precise adherence to the divine revelation.
• which were in the land of Egypt: בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם (bəʾereṣ miṣrayim) specifies the national scope of the undertaking. The effort was widespread across the entire nation, not limited to certain regions, highlighting the scale of his administration.
• and laid up the food: The Hebrew וַיִּצְבֹּר (wayyiṣbōr), from צָבַר (ṣāḇar), means "to heap up, to store up, to accumulate." The repetition of this verb (or its derived form וַיִּצְבֹּר) emphasizes the continuous and extensive nature of the storage process, denoting the vast quantities involved. It also indicates organized, methodical storage, not just throwing things together.
• in the cities: בָּעָרִים (bāʿārîm), refers to "cities" or "towns." This signifies a decentralized storage system. Instead of one or a few massive central granaries, Joseph strategically located storehouses within numerous urban centers. This wise logistical decision would prove crucial during the famine, allowing for efficient distribution and preventing overwhelming the transport infrastructure when scarcity struck.
• he laid up in every city: The re-emphasis with וַיִּצְבֹּר בָּעִיר וָעִיר (wayyiṣbōr bāʿîr wāʿîr – "he stored up in city and city" or "in every single city") reinforces the meticulousness and completeness of the storage strategy. It confirms that the system was uniformly implemented across the kingdom.
• the food of the surrounding fields: אֹכֶל שְׂדֵי סְבִיבֹתֶיהָ (ʾōḵel śǝdê sǝvîḇōtehā). This phrase specifies the origin of the stored food. שְׂדֵי סְבִיבֹתֶיהָ refers to "the fields of its surroundings." This indicates an ingenious and practical aspect of Joseph's plan: food was stored locally. Grain harvested near a specific city was stored within or near that very city. This reduced transportation costs and logistical strain during the harvest period, making the storage process more efficient and sustainable for the long term. It highlights an early principle of distributed supply chains.

Genesis 41 48 Bonus section

The efficiency and decentralization implied in this verse ("laid up in every city the food of the surrounding fields") suggest an advanced administrative capability, pointing to Joseph's divinely-empowered wisdom for leadership, going beyond typical human planning. This was not merely hoarding but structured national provisioning. The strategy also indirectly critiques the common ancient belief that gods provided haphazardly; here, the one true God provides not only foresight but also the means and wisdom for humans to proactively manage His provisions. The success of this system ensured that Egypt would not only survive but also become a beacon of salvation, indirectly preparing the way for Jacob's family (Israel) to be preserved and flourish there during the famine. This verse lays the groundwork for God's larger plan to bring His people to Egypt where they would grow into a mighty nation, as foretold in Genesis 15.

Genesis 41 48 Commentary

Genesis 41:48 showcases Joseph's remarkable wisdom and diligence in leadership, a wisdom ultimately derived from God. Beyond simply collecting grain, Joseph implemented a comprehensive national strategy. His decentralized storage system, where produce from surrounding fields was stored locally within cities, reveals keen administrative foresight, mitigating the logistical nightmare that a famine would entail. This systematic preparation during times of plenty demonstrates responsible stewardship and underscores the biblical principle of prudent planning for the future (Prov 6:6-8; Prov 30:25). It’s a testament to Joseph's integrity and obedience to God's revealed plan, serving as a powerful example of how divine guidance, when coupled with human diligence, can yield miraculous results in times of crisis, ultimately fulfilling God's larger redemptive purpose in preserving His covenant people.