King James Version

What Does Genesis 41:36 Mean?

Genesis 41:36 in the King James Version says “And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; tha...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. perish: Heb. be not cut off”

Genesis 41:36 · KJV

Salvation

Context

34

Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. officers: or, overseers

35

And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

36

And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. perish: Heb. be not cut off

37

And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

38

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Read Genesis 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in th... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֨ה1 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָאֹ֤כֶל2 of 15

“And that food”

H400

food

לְפִקָּדוֹן֙3 of 15

“shall be for store”

H6487

a deposit

הָאָ֖רֶץ4 of 15

“that the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְשֶׁ֙בַע֙5 of 15

“against the seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שְׁנֵ֣י6 of 15

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בָּֽרָעָֽב׃7 of 15

“not through the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּֽהְיֶ֖יןָ9 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָאָ֖רֶץ10 of 15

“that the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם11 of 15

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְלֹֽא12 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִכָּרֵ֥ת13 of 15

“perish”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הָאָ֖רֶץ14 of 15

“that the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בָּֽרָעָֽב׃15 of 15

“not through the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 41:36 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 41:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 47:13-25

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 41 →

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