Genesis 47:16

16 And Joseph answered, "Give your cattle, and I will give you food in exchange for your cattle, if your money is gone."

Genesis 47:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 47:16

And Joseph said, give your cattle
Oxen, sheep, horses, asses, as follows: and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail;
that is, corn for cattle, if they had no money to give.

Genesis 47:16 In-Context

14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.

15 And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and said, "Give us food; why should we die before your eyes? For our money is gone."

16 And Joseph answered, "Give your cattle, and I will give you food in exchange for your cattle, if your money is gone."

17 So they brought their cattle to Joseph; and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the herds, and the asses: and he supplied them with food in exchange for all their cattle that year.

18 And when that year was ended, they came to him the following year, and said to him, "We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent; and the herds of cattle are my lord's; there is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands.