Genesis 47:21 kjv

And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.

Genesis 47:21 nkjv

And as for the people, he moved them into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end.

Genesis 47:21 niv

and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.

Genesis 47:21 esv

As for the people, he made servants of them from one end of Egypt to the other.

Genesis 47:21 nlt

As for the people, he made them all slaves, from one end of Egypt to the other.

Genesis 47 verses

Genesis 47 21 Meaning

Genesis 47:21 describes a key phase of Joseph's administrative policy during the famine in Egypt. After the people had exhausted their money, livestock, and lands in exchange for food, they offered themselves as servants to Pharaoh. Joseph's response was to "remove them to cities from one end of Egypt even to the other end thereof." This action solidified Pharaoh's dominion over both the land and the populace, centralizing control, perhaps for more efficient distribution of food or to streamline administration, leading to their dependency and the subsequent establishment of a perpetual tax. It signifies a radical restructuring of Egyptian society under Pharaoh's absolute authority.

Genesis 47 21 Context

Genesis chapter 47 unfolds during the severe, multi-year famine affecting Egypt and the surrounding regions. Joseph, having been elevated to second-in-command to Pharaoh, is executing the famine relief plan God revealed to him. Chapters 45 and 46 describe Jacob and his family coming to Egypt, settling in Goshen, separate from the Egyptians. Verses 13-26 of chapter 47 detail Joseph's economic strategy for the Egyptians, who, desperate for food, progressively barter all their wealth: first money (v. 14), then livestock (v. 17), and finally their land and their persons (v. 18-19). This economic surrender culminates in Pharaoh's acquisition of all land (except for the priests') and the people becoming his servants. Verse 21 describes the practical implementation of this surrender of the people, where they are moved to the cities, leading directly to the establishment of the one-fifth tax (v. 26). This policy fundamentally transformed Egyptian society, creating a more centralized and monarchical system with Pharaoh as the ultimate proprietor, and setting the socio-economic stage for Israel's prolonged stay in Egypt.

Genesis 47 21 Word analysis

• And as for the people (וְאֶת-הָעָם, və'et-hā'ām):

  • וְ (və-): Conjunction "and," continuing the narrative, linking this action to the previous exchanges of wealth for food.
  • אֶת- ('et-): Direct object marker, indicating "the people" are the recipients of the action.
  • הָעָם (hā'ām): "The people," specifically referring to the populace of Egypt, indicating a collective and comprehensive measure targeting the entire nation. It highlights that the policy applied universally to the common Egyptian citizens.

• he removed them (וְהֶעֱבִיר אֹתוֹ, vəhaʿăvîr ʾōṯō):

  • וְהֶעֱבִיר (vəhaʿăvîr): From the root עָבַר (ʿābar), in the Hiphil stem. Hiphil denotes causing an action. Thus, it means "he caused to pass over," "he made them move," "he removed/transported them." This verb signifies Joseph's active role as an administrator in relocating the population, rather than simply people moving on their own initiative.
  • אֹתוֹ (ʾōṯō): "him/it," but here it acts as a collective singular referring back to "the people" (hā'ām), who are seen as a single corporate entity in this context. It confirms the mass relocation.

• to cities (לֶעָרִים, laʿārîm):

  • לֶ (la-): Preposition "to/for," indicating destination or purpose.
  • עָרִים (ʿārîm): "Cities," plural. This signifies a directed movement away from their rural or specific homesteads into urban centers, presumably where the grain storage was, or where better administration/control could be exerted. It points to centralization and agglomeration of people.

• from one end of Egypt (מִקְצֵה גְּבוּל-מִצְרַיִם, miqṣēh gəvûl-miṣrayim):

  • מִקְצֵה (miqṣēh): "From the end/extremity of." This emphasizes the sweeping and extensive nature of the policy, reaching across the entire geographical spread of Egypt.
  • גְּבוּל- (gəvûl-): "Border/territory." It reinforces the notion of the physical boundaries of the land.
  • מִצְרַיִם (miṣrayim): "Egypt." The entire nation.

• even to the other end thereof (עַד-קָצֵהוּ, ʿad-qāṣēhū):

  • עַד- (ʿad-): "Even to/until." Indicates the full extent or boundary.
  • קָצֵהוּ (qāṣēhū): "Its end/extremity." The suffix -hū refers to Egypt. This phrase functions as a literary idiom "from end to end," signifying comprehensive and absolute application throughout the entire land, leaving no region untouched.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And as for the people, he removed them": This phrase immediately establishes the active role of Joseph (on behalf of Pharaoh) in dealing with the masses, emphasizing the authority exerted over them. The people, having surrendered their autonomy through economic necessity, now faced governmental direction regarding their physical dwelling. This marks their transition from landowners/freemen to state dependents.
• "to cities from one end of Egypt even to the other end thereof": This entire phrase conveys the systematic, national-level implementation of the policy. It indicates a grand design for reorganization, impacting the entire fabric of Egyptian society geographically. The widespread forced migration facilitated efficient distribution of aid during the famine, but concurrently ensured the consolidation of state power and centralized control over the populace, enabling future taxation and potentially state labor (though not explicitly stated here). This act reflects an advanced administrative strategy for governance and crisis management.

Genesis 47 21 Bonus section

• Socio-economic Transformation: This verse depicts a radical feudal-like restructuring of Egyptian society. Before this, land was likely held privately or tribally. Joseph's policy, born out of famine, transformed private ownership into state ownership, making the population vassals of the Pharaoh. This ensured loyalty and simplified administration for the crown, providing Pharaoh with immense power and wealth that extended beyond the famine period.
• Absolutism's Foundation: The "removal to cities" solidified Pharaoh's absolute power. It meant a comprehensive registry and greater control over his subjects, making it easier to impose levies and organize labor in the future. This move served as a foundation for the robust and highly centralized Egyptian kingdom, influencing subsequent centuries of Pharaoh's rule, including the eventual enslavement of the Israelites (Exod 1:8-14).
• Divine Wisdom in Worldly Affairs: Joseph, empowered by God's wisdom, implements a policy that, while severe, saved a nation and secured resources. It illustrates how divine guidance can be applied to even the most pragmatic and worldly challenges like economic crises, turning calamity into an occasion for strategic societal reordering, ultimately serving God's broader redemptive purposes through Israel.

Genesis 47 21 Commentary

Genesis 47:21 is a succinct yet profound statement revealing the climax of Joseph's extraordinary administrative efforts during the devastating famine. By "removing the people to cities," Joseph, acting under Pharaoh's ultimate authority, completed the social and economic transformation of Egypt. This was not merely a convenience for food distribution; it solidified Pharaoh's dominion, converting the populace from independent landholders to state tenants or servants entirely dependent on the centralized government.

This measure effectively turned a crisis into an opportunity for state centralization. The people, stripped of their land and even their freedom, became beholden to Pharaoh for their very sustenance. This drastic societal overhaul laid the groundwork for the 1/5th tax (Gen 47:26) which became a perpetual institution, generating a constant revenue stream for Pharaoh. This arrangement demonstrates Joseph's acute wisdom and strategic foresight, not only in preserving life but also in establishing a highly efficient (though absolute) system of governance for Pharaoh's benefit.

From a biblical theological perspective, while Joseph's actions seem politically astute, they are also part of God's overarching plan to sustain the burgeoning nation of Israel (who are ironically exempt from this economic enslavement due to Goshen's unique status). Yet, it also prefigures the oppressive environment Israel would eventually experience in Egypt, demonstrating how unchecked state power, though initially beneficial in crisis, can later become a tool of oppression. This verse subtly contrasts divine provision through a wise steward with the potentially totalizing demands of human political systems.