King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:17 Mean?

Genesis 47:17 in the King James Version says “And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and fo...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year. fed: Heb. led them”

Genesis 47:17 · KJV

Context

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.

17

And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year. fed: Heb. led them

18

When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:

19

Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.

Read Genesis 47 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and fo... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיָּבִ֣יאוּ1 of 21

“And they brought”

H935

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

אֶת2 of 21
H853

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

מִקְנֵהֶ֔ם3 of 21

“and for the cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

אֶל4 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יוֹסֵ֨ף5 of 21

“and Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

וַיִּתֵּ֣ן6 of 21

“gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶם֩7 of 21
H0
יוֹסֵ֨ף8 of 21

“and Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

בַּלֶּ֙חֶם֙9 of 21

“them bread”

H3899

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

בַּסּוּסִ֗ים10 of 21

“in exchange for horses”

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

מִקְנֵהֶ֔ם11 of 21

“and for the cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

הַצֹּ֛אן12 of 21

“and for the flocks”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

מִקְנֵהֶ֔ם13 of 21

“and for the cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

הַבָּקָ֖ר14 of 21

“of the herds”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וּבַֽחֲמֹרִ֑ים15 of 21

“and for the asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וַיְנַֽהֲלֵ֤ם16 of 21

“and he fed”

H5095

properly, to run with a sparkle, i.e., flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain

בַּלֶּ֙חֶם֙17 of 21

“them bread”

H3899

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

בְּכָל18 of 21
H3605

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

מִקְנֵהֶ֔ם19 of 21

“and for the cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה20 of 21

“for that year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַהִֽוא׃21 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 47:17 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 47:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 9:3Job 2:4Isaiah 31:1Matthew 6:241 Kings 10:28

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