Genesis 47:24

24 When harvest time comes, you are to give twenty percent to Pharaoh; eighty percent will be yours to keep for seed to plant in the fields, as well as for your food and for that of your households and your little ones."

Genesis 47:24 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 47:24

And it shall come to pass, in the increase
When the land shall produce an increase, and it shall be gathered in:

that you shall give the fifth [part] unto Pharaoh;
a fifth part of the increase:

and four parts shall be your own;
for the following uses, one part

for seed of the field:
to sow again with for the next year: a second part

for your food;
for food for themselves: a third part

for them of your household;
their servants and maids: and the fourth part

for food for your little ones;
for their children, be they young or old; or however four parts of five he proposed they should have for their own use, and for the maintenance of their families, which was a kind and generous proposal, when all might have been demanded, and they and theirs treated as slaves.

Genesis 47:24 In-Context

22 Only the priests' land did he not acquire, because the priests were entitled to provisions from Pharaoh, and they ate from what Pharaoh provided them; therefore they did not sell their land.

23 Then Yosef said to the people, "As of today I have acquired you and your land for Pharaoh. Here is seed for you to sow the land.

24 When harvest time comes, you are to give twenty percent to Pharaoh; eighty percent will be yours to keep for seed to plant in the fields, as well as for your food and for that of your households and your little ones."

25 They replied, "You have saved our lives! So if it pleases my lord, we will be Pharaoh's slaves."

26 Yosef made it a law for the country of Egypt, valid to this day, that Pharaoh should have twenty percent. Only the property belonging to the priests did not become Pharaoh's.