King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:14 Mean?

Genesis 47:14 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 47:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.

Read Genesis 47 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan,... 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. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיְלַקֵּ֣ט1 of 20

“gathered up”

H3950

properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean

יוֹסֵ֛ף2 of 20

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶת3 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל4 of 20
H3605

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

הַכֶּ֖סֶף5 of 20

“all the money”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

הַנִּמְצָ֤א6 of 20

“that was found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

וּבְאֶ֣רֶץ7 of 20

“and in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙8 of 20

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וּבְאֶ֣רֶץ9 of 20

“and in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֔עַן10 of 20

“of Canaan”

H3667

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

בַּשֶּׁ֖בֶר11 of 20

“for the corn”

H7668

grain (as if broken into kernels)

אֲשֶׁר12 of 20
H834

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

הֵ֣ם13 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

שֹֽׁבְרִ֑ים14 of 20

“which they bought”

H7666

to deal in grain

וַיָּבֵ֥א15 of 20

“brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יוֹסֵ֛ף16 of 20

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶת17 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֶּ֖סֶף18 of 20

“all the money”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

בֵּ֥יתָה19 of 20

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

פַרְעֹֽה׃20 of 20

“into Pharaoh's”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

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 47:14 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 47:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 41:56Luke 16:10-121 Peter 4:10Luke 16:1-21 Corinthians 4:2

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 →

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