King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:13 Mean?

Genesis 47:13 in the King James Version says “And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Cana...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.”

Genesis 47:13 · KJV

Context

11

And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

12

And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families. according: or, as a little child is nourished: Heb. according to the little ones

13

And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.

14

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

15

And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

Read Genesis 47 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and ... 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. What theological truths about Settlement in Goshen emerge from this passage?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְלֶ֤חֶם1 of 15

“And there was no bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

אֵין֙2 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בְּכָל3 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וְאֶ֣רֶץ4 of 15

“and all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּֽי5 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָבֵ֥ד6 of 15

“sore”

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

הָֽרָעָֽב׃7 of 15

“for the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

מְאֹ֑ד8 of 15

“was very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַתֵּ֜לַהּ9 of 15

“fainted”

H3856

to be rabid (figuratively, insane); also (from the exhaustion of frenzy) to languish

וְאֶ֣רֶץ10 of 15

“and all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙11 of 15

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְאֶ֣רֶץ12 of 15

“and all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֔עַן13 of 15

“of Canaan”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

מִפְּנֵ֖י14 of 15

“by reason”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָֽרָעָֽב׃15 of 15

“for 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 47:13 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 47:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 7:11Jeremiah 14:1-61 Kings 18:5Joel 1:10-12Jeremiah 9:12Lamentations 4:9

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 47 →

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 47 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 47 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes