Genesis 47:20-30

20 So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian sold Joseph his field, because the hunger was very great. So the land became the king's,

21 and Joseph made the people slaves from one end of Egypt to the other.

22 The only land he did not buy was the land the priests owned. They did not need to sell their land because the king paid them for their work. So they had money to buy food.

23 Joseph said to the people, "Now I have bought you and your land for the king, so I will give you seed and you can plant your fields.

24 At harvest time you must give one-fifth to the king. You may keep four-fifths for yourselves to use as seed for the field and as food for yourselves, your families, and your children."

25 The people said, "You have saved our lives. If you like, we will become slaves of the king."

26 So Joseph made a law in Egypt, which continues today: One-fifth of everything from the land belongs to the king. The only land the king did not get was the priests' land. "Don't Bury Me in Egypt"

27 The Israelites continued to live in the land of Goshen in Egypt. There they got possessions and had many children and grew in number.

28 Jacobn lived in Egypt seventeen years, so he lived to be one hundred forty-seven years old.

29 When Israel knew he soon would die, he called his son Joseph to him and said to him, "If you love me, put your hand under my leg. Promise me you will not bury me in Egypt.

30 When I die, carry me out of Egypt, and bury me where my ancestors are buried." Joseph answered, "I will do as you say."

Genesis 47:20-30 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 47

This chapter gives an account of the presentation of five of Joseph's brethren, and then of his father, to Pharaoh, and of what passed between them, Ge 47:1-10; of Joseph's settlement of them, according to the direction of Pharaoh, in the land of Rameses in Goshen, and of his provision for them there, Ge 47:11,12; of his getting into his hands, for Pharaoh, the money, cattle, and lands, of the Egyptians, excepting the lands belonging to the priests, for corn he had supplied them with, Ge 47:13-22; of his giving them seed to sow with, on condition of Pharaoh's having a fifth part of the produce, Ge 47:23-26, of the increase of Jacob's substance in Egypt, and that of his children; of the time of his living there, and his approaching death, when he called Joseph to him, and obliged him by an oath to bury him in the burying place of his fathers, Ge 47:27-31.