Genesis 47:15

15 When the money was all spent in the land of Mitzrayim, and in the land of Kana`an, all the Mitzrim came to Yosef, and said, "Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For our money fails."

Genesis 47:15 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 47:15

And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land
of Canaan
It had been all spent in the third, fourth, and fifth years of the famine; for it seems to be at the end of the fifth, or beginning of the sixth year of the famine, that this was the case, since we after read of a second or following year, which was very plainly the last, since seed was given them to sow the land with, which shows the time of drought to be near at an end: all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, give us bread;
freely, for nothing, since they had no money to buy any with: no mention is made of the Canaanites, who could not presume to come and ask for corn on such a footing: for why should we die in thy presence?
before his eyes, he not relieving them when it was in his power to do it; they knew such an argument as this would work upon a mind so humane, tender, and generous as was Joseph's: for the money faileth;
all was gone, they had none left to purchase corn with; or they suggest they should not have desired to have had it at free cost.

Genesis 47:15 In-Context

13 There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Mitzrayim and the land of Kana`an fainted by reason of the famine.

14 Yosef gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Mitzrayim, and in the land of Kana`an, for the grain which they bought: and Yosef brought the money into Par`oh's house.

15 When the money was all spent in the land of Mitzrayim, and in the land of Kana`an, all the Mitzrim came to Yosef, and said, "Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For our money fails."

16 Yosef said, "Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fails."

17 They brought their cattle to Yosef, and Yosef gave them bread in exchange for the horses, and for the flocks, and for the herds, and for the donkeys: and he fed them with bread in exchange for all their cattle for that year.