Genesis 47:22 kjv

Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.

Genesis 47:22 nkjv

Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had rations allotted to them by Pharaoh, and they ate their rations which Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their lands.

Genesis 47:22 niv

However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land.

Genesis 47:22 esv

Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh and lived on the allowance that Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their land.

Genesis 47:22 nlt

The only land he did not buy was the land belonging to the priests. They received an allotment of food directly from Pharaoh, so they didn't need to sell their land.

Genesis 47 verses

Genesis 47 22 Meaning

Genesis 47:22 states an exception to Joseph's famine-relief policy in Egypt: the land of the priests was not purchased by Pharaoh. This was because Egyptian priests received a guaranteed provision, a "portion" or fixed allowance, directly from Pharaoh. As they were already sustained by royal decree, they had no economic compulsion to sell their ancestral lands, distinguishing them as a privileged and independent class during the widespread land transfer to the crown.

Genesis 47 22 Context

Genesis 47:22 is set during the fifth year of the seven-year famine, after the first two years of widespread agricultural failure and food scarcity have exhausted the people's money and livestock. Joseph, acting as Pharaoh's prime minister, has implemented a centralized system of grain distribution. As a climax to this economic transformation, the Egyptian people, desperate for food, offer themselves and their land to Pharaoh in exchange for sustenance. This results in the complete transfer of land ownership to Pharaoh, effectively turning the populace into Pharaoh's tenant farmers, obligated to give a fifth of their produce to the crown (Gen 47:26). Amidst this profound societal restructuring, the verse highlights the exceptional position of the Egyptian priests, whose economic stability was maintained outside this system due to their direct endowment from Pharaoh. This exception contrasts sharply with the servitude of the general populace, including Joseph's own family who settled in Goshen.

Genesis 47 22 Word analysis

• Only (רַק, raq): This emphatic particle sets apart the priests' land as the sole exception to Joseph's overarching policy, highlighting its distinct status. It signifies a unique exclusion from the general rule.
• the land (אֲדָמָה, 'adamah): Refers specifically to the cultivable soil, the basis of wealth and sustenance in an agrarian society. It represents their territorial holdings and the means of production.
• of the priests (הַכֹּהֲנִים, ha-kohanim): Refers to the powerful and influential religious class in ancient Egypt. These were not Israelite priests, but officials of the various Egyptian deities, who wielded significant political, economic, and spiritual authority within the Pharaonic system. Their temples owned vast estates and were integral to the state's functioning.
• did he not buy (לֹא קָנָה, lo qanah): This phrase indicates a conscious decision or a pre-existing exemption, rather than an oversight. Joseph, as Pharaoh's agent, deliberately excluded their land from the widespread acquisition, showing respect for their unique standing or political necessity.
• for (כִּי, ki): Introduces the reason or justification for the priests' exceptional status.
• the priests had a portion (חֹק לַכֹּהֲנִים, khoq la-kohanim): Khoq refers to a fixed decree, allowance, or established provision. It suggests a regular, designated share or ration from the state treasury or royal stores, a perpetual endowment that ensured their financial security. This was not merely payment for services but an inherent right.
• from Pharaoh (מֵאֵת פַּרְעֹה, me'et Par'oh): Directly from the king himself, reinforcing the royal authority and sacred nature of their support. This provision bypassed any intermediaries and was a direct concession from the supreme ruler.
• and they ate their portion (וְאָכְלוּ אֶת חֻקָּם, ve'akhlu et khuqqam): Emphasizes that this portion was sufficient for their sustenance, covering their daily needs. They consumed what was designated for them, indicating their lack of financial distress.
• which Pharaoh gave them (אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָהֶם פַּרְעֹה, 'asher natan lahem Par'oh): Reiteration of the source and nature of the provision—a royal grant, an endowment, or a statutory right, rather than a commodity they had to earn or purchase during the famine.
• therefore (עַל־כֵּן, al-ken): Connects the cause (fixed provision) to the effect (not needing to sell).
• they did not sell their land (לֹא מָכְרוּ אֶת־אַדְמָתָם, lo makhru et-'admatam): The consequence of their secure financial position. Unlike the rest of the Egyptians who were forced to sell their land out of necessity, the priests had no such compulsion, preserving their extensive estates and economic power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Only the land of the priests did he not buy": This highlights the singular privilege of the priestly class amidst a nation-wide confiscation of land. It underscores their unique, untouchable status within the Pharaonic system, suggesting political acumen on Joseph's part to not disturb such a powerful institution.
• "for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh": This phrase explains why the exemption existed. Their economic security was not derived from their land's produce or by exchanging it, but from a direct, statutory provision from the highest authority in the land. This indicates an established royal support system.
• "and they ate their portion which Pharaoh gave them": This detail clarifies that the "portion" was adequate for their sustenance, ensuring they had no financial need to part with their land. It paints a picture of state-guaranteed sustenance, solidifying their exemption.
• "therefore they did not sell their land": This provides the direct causal link, concluding the reason for the exceptional status. Their continued possession of land was a direct consequence of Pharaoh's ongoing provision, a clear demonstration of their exemption from the general economic hardship.

Genesis 47 22 Bonus section

• The Egyptian priests formed a powerful administrative class in their own right, managing vast temple estates, which could amount to 15-30% of Egypt's arable land. Exempting them was not merely a favor but a strategic political move, ensuring stability and cooperation from a crucial societal institution.
• The "portion" (חֹק, khoq) highlights an institutionalized support system that existed prior to the famine. This system would have ensured the priests' sustenance from state revenue or temple endowments, meaning they were never in a position where they needed to sell their land for food like the general populace.
• This verse can be seen as an instance of how God preserves His purposes, even through pagan systems. Joseph's wise administration not only preserved Egypt but also positioned Israel for growth within Goshen before the later oppression. The divine wisdom working through Joseph implicitly influenced this balanced approach to power.
• The contrast between the land-owning Egyptian priests and the landless Israelite Levites underscores different models of supporting religious ministry. The Egyptian model linked the priesthood with extensive wealth and land, while the Israelite model aimed for the priesthood to rely directly on God's provision through the people's offerings, fostering a unique spiritual dependency and identity.

Genesis 47 22 Commentary

Genesis 47:22 serves as a pivotal detail in the narrative of Joseph's administration of Egypt during the famine, revealing the limits of even Pharaoh's ultimate authority and Joseph's profound administrative wisdom. While Joseph consolidates all land ownership under Pharaoh, the priests' lands remain untouched due to their pre-existing royal endowments. This exemption points to the significant influence and unique status of the Egyptian priesthood, who were pillars of the state, custodians of religious rites, and often land-rich institutions critical to societal order. From an Israelite perspective, this detail implicitly contrasts the Egyptian priestly system with the future Levitical priesthood, who would not possess tribal land inheritance but be sustained by tithes and offerings directly from God's people (e.g., Num 18:20-24; Deut 18:1-2), thus ensuring their dependence on God rather than an earthly monarch for their basic needs. The verse illustrates a secular ruler's pragmatic decision to maintain the powerful religious elite, ensuring stability even during profound economic upheaval, reflecting the wisdom God granted Joseph to navigate the complex social and political realities of Egypt. It teaches that even in the most transformative policies, exceptions often exist based on historical relationships and power dynamics, reflecting divine sovereignty working through human governance.