Genesis 41:56 kjv

And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:56 nkjv

The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:56 niv

When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.

Genesis 41:56 esv

So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:56 nlt

So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 56 Meaning

Genesis 41:56 reveals the immediate impact of the devastating famine foretold by God, which had spread across "all the face of the earth," indicating its global reach from the perspective of the ancient Near East. In response to the intensifying crisis, Joseph, as the wise administrator under Pharaoh, activated the system of distribution he had established during the seven years of plenty. He "opened all the storehouses" and began "selling" the reserved grain, first to the Egyptians, because even in Egypt, where the food was stored, the "famine waxed sore." This verse highlights God's providential care through Joseph, preparing a means of preservation for His people and surrounding nations amidst widespread scarcity.

Genesis 41 56 Context

Genesis 41:56 is nestled within the dramatic narrative of Joseph's life, specifically following his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams. These dreams, sent by God, foretold seven years of abundant harvests followed by seven years of severe famine. Acting on divine wisdom and Pharaoh's authority, Joseph diligently collected a massive surplus of grain during the years of plenty, storing it in Egypt's cities. The preceding verses (Gen 41:53-55) describe the end of the years of plenty and the initial onset of the famine, not only in Egypt but also in surrounding lands. Joseph's strategic planning and the implementation of a national food security system, divinely inspired, are now put to the test. This verse marks the crucial moment when Joseph transitions from storage to distribution, as the widespread scarcity necessitates opening the granaries to preserve life. It sets the stage for the arrival of Joseph's own family in Egypt in search of food.

Genesis 41 56 Word analysis

• And the famine (וְהָרָעָב - v'ha'ra'av): "Famine" (ra'av, רָעָב) denotes an extreme lack of food. Biblically, it often serves as a form of divine judgment or a test of faith, as seen in the experiences of Abraham and Isaac (Gen 12:10, 26:1). Here, its appearance emphasizes the fulfillment of God's prophecy.
• was (הָיָה - hayah): A foundational Hebrew verb signifying existence, becoming, or occurrence. It denotes the famine's tangible presence and onset.
• over all the face of the earth (עַל כָּל־פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ - al kol-p'nei ha'aretz): "Face of the earth" (פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ) signifies the known inhabited world, implying a famine of unprecedented, vast scope. For an ancient audience, this would typically refer to the entire Near East. This scale highlights Egypt's unique position as the sole place of relief due to Joseph's divinely-guided preparations. This concept subtly critiques the local deities of other lands, such as Canaanite gods of fertility, showing they are powerless before the sovereign God of Israel who controls universal conditions.
• And Joseph (יוֹסֵף - Yosef): The human agent chosen by God. Joseph's name (meaning "he adds" or "may he add") carries prophetic significance here, as he is adding to the preservation of life and, ultimately, setting the stage for the growth of Israel in Egypt. His actions demonstrate faithful stewardship (Matt 25:21).
• opened (וַיִּפְתַּח - vayiftach): "He opened." This active verb emphasizes Joseph's authority and deliberate action in controlling the nation's food supply. It implies not just access, but regulated release.
• all the storehouses (אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם - et-kol-asher bahem): Literally, "all that was in them" (referring to the cities where the grain was stored, mentioned in earlier verses). This signifies the comprehensive nature of Joseph's administration and the immense quantity of grain saved. It showcases the scale of God's provision through human agency.
• and sold (וַיִּשְׁבֹּר - vayishbor): This verb literally means "to break," but in the context of grain, it idiomatically means "to sell" or "to ration out." It denotes a commercial transaction, not merely a free distribution. This system ensured continued economic activity and control over resources, eventually leading to Egyptian subservience to Pharaoh (Gen 47:13-26).
• unto the Egyptians (לְמִצְרָיִם - lemitzrayim): Specifically denotes the initial beneficiaries within Egypt. Even with abundant stores within their own land, Egyptians had to purchase the grain, demonstrating the Pharaoh's control and the dire situation.
• and the famine waxed sore (וַיֶּחֱזַק הָרָעָב - vayechězák hara'av): "Waxed sore" or "grew severe/strong" (from chazak, חָזַק, to be strong). This reiteration of "famine" coupled with "waxed sore" emphasizes the escalating crisis and underscores the immediate necessity for Joseph's intervention. It illustrates the prophetic accuracy of God's word regarding the famine's intensity.
• in the land of Egypt (בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם - b'eretz Mitzrayim): Pinpoints the worsening condition within Egypt itself, confirming that even the nation with grain stores was not exempt from the general hardship, necessitating strict rationing and sale.

Word-group analysis

• "the famine was over all the face of the earth": This phrase paints a picture of global (from an ancient perspective) calamity. It establishes the vast scale of the crisis, setting Egypt apart as the lone beacon of hope due to divine foresight. This universality is key to understanding the impending migration of many peoples, including Jacob's family, to Egypt. It subtly emphasizes God's omnipotence and universal control over nature, contrasting with local human or polytheistic understandings of weather and crops.
• "Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians": This highlights Joseph's decisive administrative action and the practical mechanism for distributing food. It reveals the planned economy God orchestrated through Joseph. The "selling" implies an organized system of commerce rather than chaos, and it also demonstrates Joseph's wise management of resources, extending the provision for as long as possible. This phase marks the fulfillment of the seven years of famine's onset and the activation of the preservation strategy.
• "and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt": This emphasizes the intensifying distress. Even though Egypt was prepared, the severity of the famine was such that it was still a great affliction within its borders. This serves to stress the vital importance of Joseph's stores and management, preventing total devastation, and setting the stage for the dramatic societal changes (like the Pharaoh owning all land) detailed later.

Genesis 41 56 Bonus section

The widespread nature of the famine, described as "over all the face of the earth," underscores the unique providential preparation in Egypt under Joseph's guidance. While "earth" (ארץ, aretz) can sometimes refer to a specific land or region, in this context, coupled with "all the face of," it conveys a comprehensive, perceived global calamity affecting areas far beyond Egypt. This interpretation elevates Joseph's role from a national manager to a universal savior within the scope of their known world. His position, second only to Pharaoh, illustrates God's ability to raise individuals from obscurity (like a prisoner) to positions of immense influence, all for His redemptive purposes. This specific event of grain sale sets in motion a significant shift in ancient Egyptian socio-economic structure, as people traded all their possessions, including land, for food (Gen 47:13-26), concentrating power and wealth with Pharaoh, indirectly strengthening his position over generations. This divinely-orchestrated famine thus served multiple purposes: to test and prove God's control, to preserve the line of Abraham (by drawing Jacob's family to Egypt), and to demonstrate the unparalleled wisdom of Joseph, guided by the one true God, over any human or pagan foresight.

Genesis 41 56 Commentary

Genesis 41:56 marks a pivotal moment, shifting from foresight and preparation to the execution of a life-saving plan. The widespread famine, encompassing the "face of the earth" in its known ancient scope, demonstrates the overwhelming nature of God's judgment and the severity of the prophesied crisis. Yet, amidst this desolation, God's grace is profoundly evident through Joseph. His administrative wisdom, granted by God, not only prevented catastrophe for Egypt but positioned it as the universal supplier of grain.

The act of "opening the storehouses" under Joseph's command symbolizes access to divine provision, available to those who come in their hunger. The system of selling the grain, even to Egyptians, indicates the immense value placed on the stored food and foreshadows the eventual consolidation of power and wealth under Pharaoh, achieved through Joseph's management (Gen 47). This also hints at the principle of valuable provision—not freely given, but requiring effort or payment. The repeated emphasis on the famine "waxing sore" highlights the escalating desperation, underscoring that even vast preparations were necessary given the unprecedented challenge. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereign control over nations and natural forces, and His capacity to provide salvation and preserve life even in the most dire circumstances through chosen human instruments like Joseph. It is a precursor to a spiritual truth: that ultimate provision for humanity's deeper hunger comes through the divinely appointed "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35).