Genesis 47:24

24 ut fruges habere possitis quintam partem regi dabitis quattuor reliquas permitto vobis in sementem et in cibos famulis et liberis vestris

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 praeter terram sacerdotum quae a rege tradita fuerat eis quibus et statuta cibaria ex horreis publicis praebebantur et idcirco non sunt conpulsi vendere possessiones suas

23 dixit ergo Ioseph ad populos en ut cernitis et vos et terram vestram Pharao possidet accipite semina et serite agros

24 ut fruges habere possitis quintam partem regi dabitis quattuor reliquas permitto vobis in sementem et in cibos famulis et liberis vestris

25 qui responderunt salus nostra in manu tua est respiciat nos tantum dominus noster et laeti serviemus regi

26 ex eo tempore usque in praesentem diem in universa terra Aegypti regibus quinta pars solvitur et factum est quasi in legem absque terra sacerdotali quae libera ab hac condicione fuit