King James Version

What Does Genesis 47:19 Mean?

Genesis 47:19 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 47:19 · KJV

Context

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.

20

And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.

21

And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.

Read Genesis 47 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and w... 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 contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How should this truth about Jacob's Last Days shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
לָ֧מָּה1 of 25
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נָמ֔וּת2 of 25

“Wherefore shall we die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

לְעֵינֶ֗יךָ3 of 25

“before thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

גַּם4 of 25
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙5 of 25
H587

we

גַּ֣ם6 of 25
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה7 of 25

“and we and our land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

קְנֵֽה8 of 25

“buy”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

אֹתָ֥נוּ9 of 25
H853

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

וְאֶת10 of 25
H853

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

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה11 of 25

“and we and our land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

בַּלָּ֑חֶם12 of 25

“for bread”

H3899

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

וְנִֽהְיֶ֞ה13 of 25
H1961

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

אֲנַ֤חְנוּ14 of 25
H587

we

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה15 of 25

“and we and our land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

עֲבָדִ֣ים16 of 25

“will be servants”

H5650

a servant

לְפַרְעֹ֔ה17 of 25

“unto Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וְתֶן18 of 25

“and give”

H5414

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

זֶ֗רַע19 of 25

“us seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וְנִֽחְיֶה֙20 of 25

“that we may live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וְלֹ֣א21 of 25
H3808

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

נָמ֔וּת22 of 25

“Wherefore shall we die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְהָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה23 of 25

“and we and our land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

לֹ֥א24 of 25
H3808

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

תֵשָֽׁם׃25 of 25

“be not desolate”

H3456

to lie waste

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 47:19 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 47:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 5:2-3Job 2:4Lamentations 5:6Lamentations 1:11Lamentations 5:9Philippians 3:8-9

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