Genesis 47 15

Genesis 47:15 kjv

And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

Genesis 47:15 nkjv

So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, "Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed."

Genesis 47:15 niv

When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, "Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone."

Genesis 47:15 esv

And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, "Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our money is gone."

Genesis 47:15 nlt

When the people of Egypt and Canaan ran out of money, all the Egyptians came to Joseph. "Our money is gone!" they cried. "But please give us food, or we will die before your very eyes!"

Genesis 47 verses

Genesis 47 15 meaning

Genesis 47:15 describes a pivotal moment in the famine when the people of Egypt and Canaan ran out of money to buy food. Having exhausted their currency, the Egyptians came to Joseph, the famine administrator, pleading for sustenance, expressing their dire situation and fear of starvation due to the complete failure of their financial resources. This illustrates the severity of the famine and Joseph's critical role as Pharaoh's provident manager.

Genesis 47 15 Context

This verse is situated during the advanced stages of a severe seven-year global famine, precisely in the second year of its duration when the grain stored by Joseph began to dwindle in availability for purchase by ordinary people. Chapters 41 to 47 detail Joseph's God-given wisdom in interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, his subsequent appointment as vizier, and his diligent administration of collecting and storing grain during the years of plenty, and then distributing it during the famine. By Genesis 47, the initial phase where people paid with money for grain had concluded (v. 14). The people's resources had completely diminished. The historical and cultural context reflects an ancient Near Eastern society heavily dependent on agricultural yield, where famine was a recurring existential threat. The highly centralized nature of the Egyptian state, with Pharaoh as divine king, enabled Joseph to implement such a wide-reaching policy, ultimately bringing all Egyptian assets under Pharaoh's control.

Genesis 47 15 Word analysis

• And when money failed: The Hebrew verb for 'failed' is וַיִּתֹּם (vay-yit-tom), derived from תָּמַם (tamam), meaning "to be complete, finished, come to an end, consumed, or spent." This indicates not a temporary shortage, but a total depletion, the absolute exhaustion of currency. This highlights the severity of the economic collapse, not just food scarcity. The original audience would grasp the dire implications of an entire region being financially bankrupt.
• in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan: This specifies the broad geographical scope of the crisis, indicating that the famine affected not only the primary territory of Joseph's administration but also the surrounding regions, including the homeland of his family, Canaan. This shows Joseph's influence and the breadth of the famine's impact, underscoring the universal nature of the suffering and dependency on Egypt for survival.
• all the Egyptians came unto Joseph: The use of "all" (כָּל, kol) emphasizes the collective desperation and the universal turning point. It shows that Joseph, as Pharaoh's prime minister, was recognized as the sole accessible source of life-sustaining food. This centralized authority highlights Pharaoh's power and Joseph's stewardship.
• and said, Give us bread: 'Bread' (לֶחֶם, lechem) here is metonymy for food or sustenance in general. The direct and urgent plea "Give us!" signifies absolute dependency and utter lack, moving from transactional buying to begging. It contrasts with the earlier buying process, showing their helplessness.
• for why should we die before thee? This is a desperate rhetorical question, appealing to Joseph's presence, authority, and perceived ability to prevent death. It frames Joseph as their immediate savior, putting pressure on him by invoking the specter of death right in front of him. It's a poignant plea, acknowledging Joseph's power over life and death in this context.
• for the money faileth: This reiterates the cause of their plea, confirming the complete depletion of their monetary resources. It clearly states the primary reason for their current phase of desperation and the necessity for a different exchange system for survival. This direct statement of financial failure justifies their profound appeal to Joseph.

Genesis 47 15 Bonus section

The famine narrative, and particularly this verse, serves as a powerful testament to God's foresight and divine providence working through His chosen instruments. Joseph, often seen as a prefigurement of Christ, is presented as the one through whom "life" (bread) is granted to those facing "death" (starvation), irrespective of their prior means or status. Their complete financial surrender mirrors a spiritual truth: that ultimate provision and salvation are not purchased with human currency or effort but are received by complete reliance on God's chosen deliverer. This gradual process of relinquishing assets (money, livestock, land, person) illustrates a profound surrender, ultimately leading to a more centralized governmental control under Pharaoh, facilitated by Joseph's administration, which would have long-term socio-economic implications for Egypt's structure.

Genesis 47 15 Commentary

Genesis 47:15 captures the critical turning point in the Egyptian famine crisis where conventional economic means of sustenance collapsed. The exhaustion of money, described with the word tamam ("to be consumed" or "finished"), signals the complete failure of human financial systems in the face of prolonged disaster. The desperate plea of "all the Egyptians" to Joseph—"Give us bread; for why should we die before thee? for the money faileth"—underscores their absolute vulnerability and their recognition of Joseph as the single conduit of life. This demonstrates Joseph's extraordinary administrative wisdom, providentially guided by God, which ensured not just Egypt's survival but also positioned them to provide for other nations. This verse starkly reveals human inadequacy when faced with overwhelming crisis and emphasizes the need for a capable, provident provider. It shows a profound shift in dependency, moving from economic exchange to a state of absolute reliance on Joseph's (and through him, God's) provision.