Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 47בראשית 47

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Settlement in Egypt, royal administration under famine, patriarchal blessing, and the first explicit preparation for burial in the promised land are all joined here into one densely transitional movement. Joseph's wisdom is no longer shown only in dream-interpretation or family reconciliation, but in the concrete ordering of political economy under severe scarcity. At the same time, Jacob does not disappear into the background. He is brought before Pharaoh as a blessing-bearing patriarch, he speaks of his life as pilgrimage marked by few and hard days, and he closes the narrative by binding Joseph under oath to carry him back for burial with the fathers. The result is a striking double movement. On one side Egypt becomes the place of provision, administrative centralization, and multiplying settlement for Israel in Goshen. On the other side Israel's future is already being oriented beyond Egypt, since Jacob insists that even in death he belongs with Abraham and Isaac in the ancestral burial place. Famine policy, covenant memory, royal favor, and deathbed faith are therefore held together here in a way that prepares both for Israel's growth in Egypt and for the eventual necessity of a return.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Joseph's management of settlement and famine comes to the forefront here, while Jacob's appearance before Pharaoh and his burial oath keep covenant identity fixed beyond Egypt itself. Verse 1 resumes directly from the strategy prepared in Genesis 46 and should preserve Joseph's formal report to Pharaoh as an act of court mediation for the family. Verse 2's selection of five brothers is terse and has drawn discussion; the text does not explain the choice, so translation should preserve the economical presentation without speculative embellishment. In verses 3-4 the brothers identify themselves as shepherds like their fathers and explicitly frame their presence as sojourning under famine pressure. The request to dwell in Goshen should retain both its humility and its practical clarity. Verse 6's 'the best of the land' and the offer to appoint capable men over Pharaoh's livestock are politically important, since they combine royal generosity with royal appropriation of their skill. Verses 7-10 present Jacob before Pharaoh in a brief but weighty audience. Jacob blesses Pharaoh both on entering and leaving, and verse 9 is one of the narrative's great interpretive lines: 'the days of the years of my sojournings' casts life as pilgrimage, while 'few and evil' should not be softened into mere melancholy. The comparison with the fathers heightens both continuity and affliction. Verse 11's mention of the land of Rameses has long been noticed historically and literarily; it should be rendered as the text gives it while leaving larger chronological discussions to annotation rather than forced harmonization in translation. Verse 12's לפי הטף is also important, since Joseph's provision is scaled to the household, including dependent mouths. The famine administration in verses 13-26 must be handled without flattening either its severity or its administrative logic. Verse 13's ותלהה describes the land as exhausted or worn down by famine. Verse 14 gathers all the money into Pharaoh's house, and verses 15-17 move from cash economy to exchange in livestock. Verse 18's bodily language and verse 19's offer, 'buy us and our land for bread,' are intentionally stark: the Egyptians themselves articulate the terms of dependency under famine pressure. Verse 20 states the resulting transfer of land to Pharaoh, while verse 21 contains a well-known textual crux concerning Joseph's treatment of the people, whether understood as moving them to cities or otherwise relocating them through the land; the MT wording should be preserved carefully. Verse 22's exception for the priests and verse 26's notice of the enduring fifth both matter for the narrative's account of Egyptian social order. In verses 23-24 Joseph's grant of seed and demand of a fifth present him not simply as confiscator but as the organizer of renewed agricultural life under Pharaoh's claim. The people's response in verse 25, 'you have kept us alive,' is therefore central, whatever questions later readers may press about the system it affirms. Verses 27-31 then return to Israel. The growth formula in verse 27 deliberately echoes earlier promise language even within Egypt, while verse 29's request to place the hand under the thigh renews the oath-form of patriarchal solemnity. Jacob's plea not to be buried in Egypt and Israel's final act of bowing at the head of the bed together close the narrative by directing memory, body, and hope back toward the fathers. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיָּבֹ֣א יוֹסֵף֮ וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לְפַרְעֹה֒ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אָבִ֨י וְאַחַ֜י וְצֹאנָ֤ם וּבְקָרָם֙ וְכָל אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֔ם בָּ֖אוּ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְהִנָּ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ גֹּֽשֶׁן

Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh and said, 'My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that is theirs have come from the land of Canaan, and behold, they are in the land of Goshen.'

Joseph formally reports the family’s arrival to Pharaohוַיָּבֹא
The plan prepared in the previous chapter is now executed in courtly form, with Joseph mediating between patriarchal household and royal power.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיָּבֹ֣אand he cameWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; standard motion verb; the wayyiqtol here opens the chapter's court scene by marking Joseph's arrival before Pharaoh.
יוֹסֵף֮JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיָּבֹאיוֹסֵף (H3130), the patriarch's name meaning 'may he add'; here acting as court mediator between his family and Pharaoh.
וַיַּגֵּ֣דand he toldWayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046) 'to tell, report, declare'; Hiphil of a root meaning to be conspicuous/in front; formal court reporting idiom.
לְפַרְעֹה֒to Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Indirect object (recipient of the report)פַּרְעֹה (H6547), Egyptian royal title transliterated into Hebrew; the reigning king of Egypt who holds power over settlement.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; the standard speech-introduction verb; here introduces the formal report to Pharaoh.
אָבִ֨יmy fatherN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of the following verb בָּאוּ (compound subject)אָב (H1) 'father'; here with 1cs suffix refers to Jacob, the patriarch head of the migrating household.
וְאַחַ֜יand my brothersconj וְ + N m pl constr + 1cs suffix · אָח (H251)Compound subject (coordinate with אָבִי)אָח (H251) 'brother'; plural with 1cs suffix; the brothers who form the extended family delegation now in Goshen.
וְצֹאנָ֤םand their flocksconj וְ + N collective constr + 3mp suffix · צֹאן (H6629)Compound subject (coordinate, extending the list)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep and goats'; collective noun; the pastoral wealth whose presence justifies Goshen as the fitting settlement.
וּבְקָרָם֙and their cattleconj וּ + N collective constr + 3mp suffix · בָּקָר (H1241)Compound subject (continuing list of household possessions)בָּקָר (H1241) 'herd, cattle, oxen'; collective noun alongside צֹאן completing the pastoral inventory.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (compound subject, inclusive summary)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, totality'; in construct with the following relative clause; summarizes the entire household estate.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (modifying כָּל)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun/particle; introduces the attributive clause 'which is theirs'; standard syntax.
לָהֶ֔םis theirsprep לְ + 3mp suffix · (H)Predicate of relative clause (possessive)Prepositional phrase of possession: לָהֶם 'belonging to them'; no independent lemma beyond the preposition לְ; a standard possessive construction.
בָּ֖אוּhave comeQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Main predicate verb of the reported statement→ Perfective: completed arrival, presented as a fait accompli to Pharaohבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the Qal perfect reports the family's arrival as an accomplished fact within Joseph's speech.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Ablative prepositional phrase (source of movement)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth, country'; in construct with the following proper noun; marks origin of the migration.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)כְּנַעַן (H3667), the land of Canaan; ancestral homeland from which the famine drove Jacob's household; geographical counterpart to Egypt throughout the chapter.
וְהִנָּ֖םand behold, they areconj וְ + particle הִנֵּה + 3mp suffix · הִנֵּה (H2005)Presentative clause (pointing to present location)הִנֵּה (H2005) 'behold, here, look'; deictic particle with pronominal suffix; draws Pharaoh's attention to the family's present location.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (present location)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, region'; in construct with the proper noun following; locates the family within Goshen.
גֹּֽשֶׁןGoshenProper noun · גֹּשֶׁן (H1657)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)גֹּשֶׁן (H1657), the district of Goshen in Egypt; the region suited for pasture where the family will be settled; recurring throughout the chapter.
2

וּמִקְצֵ֣ה אֶחָ֔יו לָקַ֖ח חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וַיַּצִּגֵ֖ם לִפְנֵ֥י פַרְעֹֽה

And from the whole number of his brothers he took five men and presented them before Pharaoh.

Joseph presents a representative group of brothers before Pharaohוּמִקְצֵה
The five brothers stand as the visible delegation through whom the family will be received and settled.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּמִקְצֵ֣הand from the end ofconj וּ + prep מִן + N m sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Partitive prepositional phrase (source from which five were chosen)קָצֶה (H7097) 'end, extremity, some portion'; מִקְצֵה + genitive means 'from some of'; the expression is idiomatic for a representative selection.
אֶחָ֔יוhis brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Genitive of מִקְצֵה (construct chain, specifying the pool)אָח (H251) 'brother'; with 3ms suffix referring to Joseph's brothers; the five chosen are a representative delegation of the full group.
לָקַ֖חhe tookQal perf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a single completed act of selectionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, select, choose'; common Qal verb; here denotes Joseph's deliberate selection of five brothers as the royal delegation.
חֲמִשָּׁ֣הfivecardinal numeral m abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Direct object (quantifier of the men selected)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; the number five is terse and unexplained in the text; its significance is left open.
אֲנָשִׁ֑יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object (head noun of the object phrase)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, individual'; plural אֲנָשִׁים; with חֲמִשָּׁה forms the direct object 'five men' selected from the brothers.
וַיַּצִּגֵ֖םand he presented themWayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms + 3mp suffix · יָצַג (H3322)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (result of selection)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצַג (H3322) 'to set, place, present'; Hiphil causative: Joseph caused them to stand before Pharaoh; formal court presentation idiom.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (audience location)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; the idiom לִפְנֵי 'before the face of' indicates formal audience in the royal court.
פַרְעֹֽהPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of לִפְנֵי (object of the prepositional phrase)פַּרְעֹה (H6547) the Egyptian king; recipient of the formal presentation of the five brothers.
3

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר פַּרְעֹ֛ה אֶל אֶחָ֖יו מַה מַּעֲשֵׂיכֶ֑ם וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֗ה רֹעֵ֥ה צֹאן֙ עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ גַּם אֲנַ֖חְנוּ גַּם אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ

And Pharaoh said to his brothers, 'What is your occupation?' And they said to Pharaoh, 'Your servants are shepherds of flocks, both we and our fathers.'

Pharaoh asks their occupation, and the brothers answer as shepherdsוַיֹּאמֶר
Their answer openly embraces the identity Joseph had coached them to confess, tying them to both present skill and ancestral continuity.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard speech-introduction wayyiqtol; Pharaoh now takes the initiative in the court dialogue.
פַּרְעֹ֛הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרפַּרְעֹה (H6547), Egyptian royal title; questioner in the court dialogue who asks the brothers about their occupation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking recipient of speech)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition introducing the addressee of Pharaoh's question.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Object of אֶל (addressees)אָח (H251) 'brother'; 3ms suffix refers to Joseph; these are the five representative brothers now facing Pharaoh's question.
מַהwhatinterrogative pronoun · מַה (H4100)Predicate of interrogative clauseמַה (H4100) 'what?'; introduces Pharaoh's direct question about occupation; standard interrogative syntax.
מַּעֲשֵׂיכֶ֑םis your workN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Subject of the interrogative clause (nominal predicate)מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed, occupation'; from עָשָׂה 'to do/make'; here means vocation or livelihood, the question Pharaoh presses.
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּand they saidWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing the brothers' reply→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers collectively answer Pharaoh's question about their occupation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking recipient of reply)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the recipient of the brothers' formal reply.
פַּרְעֹ֗הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of אֶל (addressee of the reply)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); addressed directly in the brothers' formal court response.
רֹעֵ֥הshepherds ofQal ptc m sg constr · רָעָה (H7462)Predicate nominative (occupational description)→ Participle: ongoing occupational role — shepherding as continuous identityרָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd, tend flocks'; the Qal participle used as a nominal/occupational title; the brothers openly claim the identity Joseph had advised them to affirm.
צֹאן֙flocksN collective abs · צֹאן (H6629)Genitive of רֹעֵה (construct chain, object of shepherding)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock of sheep and goats'; collective noun; object of the participle רֹעֵה in construct; establishes the pastoral vocation.
עֲבָדֶ֔יךָyour servantsN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of the nominal clause (occupational statement)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; with 2ms suffix addressing Pharaoh; the brothers adopt courtly self-designation as a mark of deference.
גַּםbothadverbial particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (correlative with the second גַּם)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even, both'; used in the correlative structure גַּם … גַּם meaning 'both … and'; links present generation with ancestral identity.
אֲנַ֖חְנוּweindependent pronoun 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of the first member of the correlative clauseאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; 1cp independent pronoun; the brothers identify themselves as the present generation of shepherds.
גַּםandadverbial particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (second member of correlative)גַּם (H1571) 'also'; second of the גַּם…גַּם pair, introducing the ancestral parallel and grounding their identity in the fathers.
אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּour fathersN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of the second member of the correlative clauseאָב (H1) 'father'; with 1cp suffix; the brothers extend their occupational identity back through the patriarchal lineage, reinforcing continuity with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
4

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֗ה לָג֣וּר בָּאָרֶץ֮ בָּאנוּ֒ כִּי אֵ֣ין מִרְעֶ֗ה לַצֹּאן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ כִּֽי כָבֵ֥ד הָרָעָ֖ב בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְעַתָּ֛ה יֵֽשְׁבוּ נָ֥א עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ בְּאֶ֥רֶץ גֹּֽשֶׁן

And they said to Pharaoh, 'We have come to sojourn in the land, because there is no pasture for the flocks that belong to your servants, for the famine is heavy in the land of Canaan. And now, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.'

The brothers explain the famine pressure and request Goshenוַיֹּאמְרוּ
Their speech frames the move as temporary sojourning under necessity while directly asking for the region best suited to flocks.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּand they saidWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing the brothers' petition→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers now move from occupational identification to explicit request for settlement in Goshen.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Pharaoh as the addressee of the brothers' request.
פַּרְעֹ֗הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of אֶל (addressee)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the royal authority who must grant permission for settlement in Goshen.
לָג֣וּרto sojournprep לְ + Qal inf constr · גּוּר (H1481)Infinitive of purpose (goal of the brothers' coming)→ Infinitive: purpose/intention — temporary residence, not permanent immigrationגּוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn, live as a resident alien'; a key term in the patriarchal narratives; frames the stay in Egypt as temporary and provisional.
בָּאָרֶץ֮in the landprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (location of intended sojourn)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with article referring to Egypt generally; the brothers acknowledge they are entering a foreign land.
בָּאנוּ֒we have comeQal perf 1cp · בּוֹא (H935)Main predicate verb (fronted infinitive precedes for emphasis)→ Perfective: completed act of arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the Qal perfect presents the arrival as accomplished fact, reinforcing the urgency of the request.
כִּיbecauseconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (introducing reason for the sojourn)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; causal use introducing the explanation of famine pressure that drove the migration.
אֵ֣יןthere is noparticle of negated existence · אַיִן (H369)Negated existential predicateאַיִן (H369) 'there is not, non-existence'; used as a predicate of negative existence; 'there is no pasture' states the crisis directly.
מִרְעֶ֗הpastureN m sg abs · מִרְעֶה (H4829)Subject of the existential clauseמִרְעֶה (H4829) 'pasture, grazing ground'; from רָעָה 'to shepherd'; the absence of pasture directly threatens the flock-based livelihood.
לַצֹּאן֙for the flocksprep לְ + art + N collective abs · צֹאן (H6629)Dative/benefactive prepositional phrase (for whom pasture is lacking)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock'; the specific concern is the survival of the pastoral herd; no pasture means no livelihood.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (modifying הַצֹּאן)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the attributive clause specifying whose flocks are affected.
לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָbelongs to your servantsprep לְ + art + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate of relative clause (possessive)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; with 2ms suffix; the brothers again use the self-designation 'your servants' to frame their livestock as possessions of a loyal household.
כִּֽיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (reinforcing second reason)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; second causal clause intensifies the explanation with the weight of the famine across Canaan.
כָבֵ֥דis heavyadj m sg abs · כָּבֵד (H3515)Predicate adjective (describing the famine)כָּבֵד (H3515) 'heavy, severe, burdensome'; root כבד associated with weight and gravity; used here of famine severity, the same term used in 47:4 and echoing earlier chapters.
הָרָעָ֖בthe famineart + N m sg abs · רָעָב (H7458)Subject of the predicate adjective כָּבֵדרָעָב (H7458) 'famine, hunger'; one of the chapter's central themes; its severity drives the entire sequence of events in 47:13–26.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (location of famine)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with the following proper noun; specifies the geographic extent of the famine.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)כְּנַעַן (H3667) the land of Canaan; the ancestral homeland ravaged by famine; its suffering forms the essential backdrop to the family's migration.
וְעַתָּ֛הand nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal adverb (transitional, marking rhetorical turn to request)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; a common transitional marker in Hebrew petitions, pivoting from the explanation of need to the request itself.
יֵֽשְׁבוּlet them dwellQal jussive 3mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Jussive (volitional main clause — the petition)→ Volitional: jussive expressing entreaty/requestיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'; the Qal jussive carries the main weight of the petition, requesting permission for settlement.
נָ֥אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (softening the jussive request)נָא (H4994) 'please, I pray'; enclitic particle that marks the petition as polite entreaty; standard with volitional forms in court speech.
עֲבָדֶ֖יךָyour servantsN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of the jussive יֵשְׁבוּעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; again with 2ms suffix for Pharaoh; the brothers request settlement for themselves under the deferential label of royal servants.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (requested location)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct, specifying Goshen as the desired settlement area.
גֹּֽשֶׁןGoshenProper noun · גֹּשֶׁן (H1657)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain, named destination)גֹּשֶׁן (H1657) the region of Goshen; the brothers name their specific desired location, suitable for herding and close enough to Joseph.
5

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר פַּרְעֹ֔ה אֶל יוֹסֵ֖ף לֵאמֹ֑ר אָבִ֥יךָ וְאַחֶ֖יךָ בָּ֥אוּ אֵלֶֽיךָ

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, saying, 'Your father and your brothers have come to you.'

Pharaoh turns to Joseph with recognition of the family’s arrivalוַיֹּאמֶר
The audience shifts back to Joseph, whose court position governs the family’s reception.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Pharaoh's response→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Pharaoh's reply to the brothers' petition, now directed specifically to Joseph.
פַּרְעֹ֔הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרפַּרְעֹה (H6547); the king now addresses Joseph directly, signaling that the grant of Goshen passes through Joseph's mediation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to'; directional preposition; the audience shifts from the brothers to Joseph as the one responsible for the family.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Object of אֶל (addressee)יוֹסֵף (H3130); Pharaoh addresses Joseph directly, acknowledging his role as mediator and administrator on behalf of the family.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of manner (introducing the content of speech)→ Infinitive: the conventional marker introducing quoted speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the phrase לֵאמֹר is a standard formula for introducing direct discourse, here marking the transition to Pharaoh's spoken decree.
אָבִ֥יךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of the following verb (compound subject)אָב (H1) 'father'; with 2ms suffix for Joseph; Pharaoh acknowledges Jacob's familial status in his acknowledgment of the arrival.
וְאַחֶ֖יךָand your brothersconj וְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Compound subject (coordinate with אָבִיךָ)אָח (H251) 'brother'; plural with 2ms suffix; the brothers are acknowledged alongside the father as the complete family unit now under Joseph's care.
בָּ֥אוּhave comeQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the nominal clause→ Perfective: completed arrival, reported as established factבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; Pharaoh confirms the arrival that Joseph reported, lending royal recognition to the family's presence.
אֵלֶֽיךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (indicating Joseph as recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 2ms suffix; Pharaoh's statement locates the family's arrival as coming to Joseph, acknowledging Joseph's personal responsibility.
6

אֶ֤רֶץ מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ לְפָנֶ֣יךָ הִ֔וא בְּמֵיטַ֣ב הָאָ֔רֶץ הוֹשֵׁ֥ב אֶת אָבִ֖יךָ וְאֶת אַחֶ֑יךָ יֵשְׁבוּ֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ גֹּ֔שֶׁן וְאִם יָדַ֗עְתָּ וְיֶשׁ בָּם֙ אַנְשֵׁי חַ֔יִל וְשַׂמְתָּ֛ם שָׂרֵ֥י מִקְנֶ֖ה עַל אֲשֶׁר לִֽי

'The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know that there are among them capable men, then appoint them as overseers of livestock over what belongs to me.'

Pharaoh grants Goshen and invites capable men into royal livestock serviceאֶרֶץ
Royal favor expands from permission to settlement into possible incorporation of their expertise into Pharaoh’s own estate.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
אֶ֤רֶץthe land ofN f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of the nominal clause (fronted, presentational)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, country'; in construct with the proper noun following; Pharaoh opens with a sweeping grant of his entire domain.
מִצְרַ֨יִם֙EgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) the land of Egypt; Pharaoh's royal domain offered to Joseph's family as their available territory.
לְפָנֶ֣יךָbefore youprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Predicate prepositional phrase (describing availability of the land)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; the idiom לְפָנֶיךָ 'before you' indicates complete disposal or free availability; Pharaoh grants unrestricted access.
הִ֔ואit isindependent pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Predicate pronoun (copular; confirms the clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, she, it'; fs form הִוא functioning as a copula; the clause is a presentative statement: 'The land of Egypt — it is before you.'
בְּמֵיטַ֣בin the best ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מֵיטַב (H4315)Locative prepositional phrase (specifying the settlement location)מֵיטַב (H4315) 'the best part, the choicest'; a superlative construct noun from טוֹב 'good'; Pharaoh is granting not just any territory but the finest region.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of מֵיטַב (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with article; the land of Egypt as the referent of 'the best'; Goshen is embedded within this superlative grant.
הוֹשֵׁ֥בsettleHiphil impv 2ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Imperative (command to Joseph to settle the family)→ Volitional: imperative — direct royal commandיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; Hiphil causative impv: 'cause [them] to dwell'; Pharaoh issues a direct command to Joseph to settle the family in the best territory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking the definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the following noun phrase as the definite direct object of הוֹשֵׁב.
אָבִ֖יךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object of הוֹשֵׁב (first member)אָב (H1) 'father'; with 2ms suffix for Joseph; Jacob is the primary person Pharaoh instructs Joseph to settle in Egypt.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (coordinate second object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; the וְ coordinates the second direct object with the first; the command extends from Jacob to the brothers.
אַחֶ֑יךָyour brothersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Direct object of הוֹשֵׁב (second member)אָח (H251) 'brother'; plural with 2ms suffix; the brothers are co-recipients of Pharaoh's settlement grant alongside Jacob.
יֵשְׁבוּ֙let them dwellQal impf 3mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Imperfect of permission/expectation (following on the imperative)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the expected outcome of the commandיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, settle'; the imperfect here describes the anticipated result; after Joseph settles them, 'they shall dwell' in Goshen.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (specifying Goshen)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with the proper noun; the specific territory granted for settlement.
גֹּ֔שֶׁןGoshenProper noun · גֹּשֶׁן (H1657)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain, named district)גֹּשֶׁן (H1657) the region of Goshen; the brothers had requested it explicitly; Pharaoh now formally grants it.
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (introducing a contingent clause)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces a conditional that extends the grant into possible royal service if capable men are identified.
יָדַ֗עְתָּyou knowQal perf 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Protasis of the conditional clause→ Perfective in conditional protasis: if you have come to knowיָדַע (H3045) 'to know, perceive'; Pharaoh grants Joseph the authority to appoint capable men if Joseph has already identified them; implies trust in Joseph's judgment.
וְיֶשׁand there areconj וְ + existential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential predicate (content of what Joseph may know)יֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is, there are'; existential particle; the clause states the condition: that capable men exist among the brothers.
בָּם֙among themprep בְּ + 3mp suffix · בְּ (H)Locative prepositional phrase (specifying location of capable men)Prepositional phrase בָּם 'among them/in them'; the 3mp suffix refers to the brothers; indicates the reservoir from which appointees would be drawn.
אַנְשֵׁיmen ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of the existential clause (in construct)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural construct אַנְשֵׁי before חַיִל forms the idiom for 'able-bodied men of worth/valor'; a standard biblical phrase for capable persons.
חַ֔יִלabilityN m sg abs · חַיִל (H2428)Genitive of אַנְשֵׁי (construct chain, characterizing the men)חַיִל (H2428) 'strength, ability, valor, wealth'; the construct phrase אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל denotes capable and competent men; here it refers to skill in livestock management rather than military prowess.
וְשַׂמְתָּ֛םthen appoint themWeqatal Qal 2ms + 3mp suffix · שִׂים (H7760)Weqatal apodosis (consequential command following the conditional)→ Weqatal: sequential action following the conditional — then you shall appoint themשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, place, appoint'; in weqatal consecutive: 'and you shall set them'; Pharaoh authorizes Joseph to make appointments over the royal livestock.
שָׂרֵ֥יoverseers ofN m pl constr · שַׂר (H8269)Predicate complement (official role assigned by appointment)שַׂר (H8269) 'prince, official, chief, overseer'; plural construct; the office to which the capable men would be appointed has administrative authority over Pharaoh's livestock.
מִקְנֶ֖הlivestockN m sg abs · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Genitive of שָׂרֵי (construct chain, the domain administered)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, possessions (especially cattle)'; from קָנָה 'to acquire'; Pharaoh's own livestock estates are the domain these overseers would manage.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of authority (specifying what they oversee)עַל (H5921) 'over, upon, concerning'; here indicating supervisory authority; the preposition marks the domain of administrative responsibility.
אֲשֶׁרwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (object of supervision)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the clause 'which belongs to me'; the referent is Pharaoh's own estate.
לִֽיis mineprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְ (H)Predicate of relative clause (possessive)Prepositional phrase לִי 'to me, belonging to me'; 1cs suffix refers to Pharaoh; the phrase asserts royal ownership of the livestock enterprise.
7

וַיָּבֵ֤א יוֹסֵף֙ אֶת יַֽעֲקֹ֣ב אָבִ֔יו וַיַּֽעֲמִדֵ֖הוּ לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֑ה וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶת פַּרְעֹֽה

Then Joseph brought Jacob his father and set him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

Joseph brings Jacob before Pharaoh, and Jacob blesses himוַיָּבֵא
The old patriarch enters the imperial court not merely as dependent but as one who confers blessing.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיָּבֵ֤אand he broughtWayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; Hiphil 'to bring'; Joseph formally brings Jacob before Pharaoh in a distinct audience from the brothers' meeting.
יוֹסֵף֙JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיָּבֵאיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph acts as sponsor and escort of his father before the royal court.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the following proper noun phrase as the direct object of the Hiphil verb.
יַֽעֲקֹ֣בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Direct object of וַיָּבֵאיַעֲקֹב (H3290), the patriarch; his formal presentation before Pharaoh contrasts with the brothers' presentation; he comes not only as a dependent but as one who blesses.
אָבִ֔יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Appositive to יַעֲקֹב (identifying relation)אָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix for Joseph; the appositive emphasizes the filial relationship between Joseph and the patriarch he escorts.
וַיַּֽעֲמִדֵ֖הוּand he set himWayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms + 3ms suffix · עָמַד (H5975)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; Hiphil causative: 'to cause to stand, to present'; formal court posture — Joseph stood Jacob in the presence of Pharaoh.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (position before the king)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before'; the idiom indicates formal audience and subordinate position before royal authority.
פַרְעֹ֑הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of לִפְנֵי (object of the prepositional phrase)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the king before whom Jacob is presented; the scene is solemn and has the character of a royal audience.
וַיְבָ֥רֶךְand he blessedWayyiqtol Piel 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the action of the scene)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — and the narrative high pointבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel intensive; Jacob actively pronounces blessing upon Pharaoh, reversing the expected social dynamic in which Pharaoh would be the benefactor.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיְבָרֶךְיַעֲקֹב (H3290); as the lesser (Heb 7:7) blesses the greater, the patriarch's act here signals covenant dignity even in the context of dependency on Egypt.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks Pharaoh as the direct object of Jacob's blessing.
פַּרְעֹֽהPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Direct object of וַיְבָרֶךְפַּרְעֹה (H6547); the recipient of Jacob's blessing; the narrative brackets the encounter (vv. 7, 10) with this act of patriarchal blessing.
8

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר פַּרְעֹ֖ה אֶֽל יַעֲקֹ֑ב כַּמָּ֕ה יְמֵ֖י שְׁנֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ

And Pharaoh said to Jacob, 'How many are the days of the years of your life?'

Pharaoh asks Jacob about the span of his lifeוַיֹּאמֶר
The question opens the brief but weighty exchange in which Jacob interprets his own years.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Pharaoh opens the royal inquiry with a single focused question about Jacob's age.
פַּרְעֹ֖הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרפַּרְעֹה (H6547); the king now turns from political business to personal inquiry about the patriarch's remarkable appearance.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces Jacob as the addressee of Pharaoh's question.
יַעֲקֹ֑בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Object of אֶל (addressee)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); the patriarch addressed directly by Pharaoh; the question opens the brief but theologically dense exchange about Jacob's years.
כַּמָּ֕הhow manyprep כְּ + interrogative pronoun מַה (H4100)Interrogative (quantitative question about the days)מַה (H4100) 'what, how'; with כְּ 'how many'; Pharaoh's question asks for the number of Jacob's years, opening the door to Jacob's reflective answer in v. 9.
יְמֵ֖יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of the interrogative clause (construct head)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural יְמֵי in construct; 'the days of the years' is a double construct chain expressing lifespan as an accumulation of days-within-years.
שְׁנֵ֥יthe years ofN m du constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive of יְמֵי (middle element of construct chain)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; dual construct form שְׁנֵי; in construct with the following noun, forming the idiom 'the days of the years of your life.'
חַיֶּֽיךָyour lifeN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · חַי (H2416)Genitive of שְׁנֵי (innermost genitive of the construct chain)חַי (H2416) 'life, living'; plural חַיִּים with 2ms suffix; the phrase שְׁנֵי חַיֶּיךָ 'the years of your life' is the standard idiom for reckoning a lifespan in the patriarchal narratives.
9

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יַעֲקֹב֙ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֔ה יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵ֣י מְגוּרַ֔י שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה מְעַ֣ט וְרָעִ֗ים הָיוּ֙ יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵ֣י חַיַּ֔י וְלֹ֣א הִשִּׂ֗יגוּ אֶת יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י אֲבֹתַ֔י בִּימֵ֖י מְגוּרֵיהֶֽם

And Jacob said to Pharaoh, 'The days of the years of my sojournings are one hundred and thirty years. Few and hard have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not reached the days of the years of the lives of my fathers in the days of their sojournings.'

Jacob describes his years as few, hard, and marked by sojourningוַיֹּאמֶר
He answers with the language of pilgrimage and affliction, measuring his life against the longer span of the fathers.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Jacob's reply→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob's answer is one of the most introspective speeches of the patriarchal narratives, framing his life as sojourning marked by affliction.
יַעֲקֹב֙JacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריַעֲקֹב (H3290); the patriarch speaks for himself, offering not just a number but a theological interpretation of his years.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking Pharaoh as addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the directional recipient of Jacob's speech.
פַּרְעֹ֔הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of אֶל (addressee)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the royal audience before whom Jacob makes his remarkable statement about pilgrimage and affliction.
יְמֵי֙the days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of the nominal clause (construct head, fronted)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural in construct; the construct chain echoes Pharaoh's question while reframing its significance.
שְׁנֵ֣יthe years ofN m du constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive of יְמֵי (medial construct)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; in construct with the following noun; the triple construct chain 'days of years of my sojournings' is deliberately weighty.
מְגוּרַ֔יmy sojourningsN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · מָגוּר (H4033)Genitive of שְׁנֵי (innermost genitive, reframing the subject)מָגוּר (H4033) 'sojourning, temporary residence'; plural with 1cs suffix; Jacob replaces 'years of my life' with 'years of my sojournings', casting existence as perpetual pilgrimage — a key theological refrain.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥יםthirtycardinal numeral m pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Predicate of the nominal clause (numerical predicate)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; forms the first component of Jacob's stated age of 130 years; the compound numeral follows standard biblical reckoning.
וּמְאַ֖תand a hundredconj וּ + N f sg constr · מֵאָה (H3967)Coordinated numeral (second component of compound age)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; in construct form מְאַת before שָׁנָה; together with שְׁלֹשִׁים gives the total of 130.
שָׁנָ֑הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Appositive/unit noun completing the compound numeralשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the unit noun completing the statement of age; 130 years as the sum of Jacob's sojourning days.
מְעַ֣טfewN m sg abs · מְעַט (H4592)Predicate adjective of a second nominal clauseמְעַט (H4592) 'few, a little, small in number'; Jacob characterizes his 130 years as 'few' in comparison with his fathers; a remarkable claim given the patriarch's long life.
וְרָעִ֗יםand hardconj וְ + adj m pl abs · רַע (H7451)Coordinated predicate adjective (second descriptor of the years)רַע (H7451) 'evil, bad, hard, calamitous'; here not moral evil but the adversity and affliction that marked Jacob's life: strife with Esau, labor for Laban, the loss of Joseph, Dinah's violation, Rachel's death.
הָיוּ֙have beenQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the nominal clause (existential copula)→ Perfective: completed stretch of time now summarizedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; Qal perfect 3cp; the plural agrees with יְמֵי as the grammatical subject; the past perfect summarizes the character of Jacob's whole life.
יְמֵי֙the days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of הָיוּ (construct head, repeated for the sub-clause)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; repeated construct noun; the second occurrence of יְמֵי restates the subject before the comparative statement about the fathers.
שְׁנֵ֣יthe years ofN m du constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive of the second יְמֵישָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; construct dual; the 'days-of-years' construct reappears to set up the comparison with the patriarchs' lifespans.
חַיַּ֔יmy lifeN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · חַי (H2416)Genitive of שְׁנֵי (innermost genitive)חַי (H2416) 'life'; the 1cs suffix marks Jacob's own lifespan as the subject; using חַיַּי 'my life' rather than מְגוּרַי 'my sojournings' allows the comparison to the fathers' total years.
וְלֹ֣אand they have notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative coordinating particle (introducing negative comparison)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the negation introduces the comparative clause: Jacob's years, though many, fell short of the patriarchs'.
הִשִּׂ֗יגוּreachedHiphil perf 3cp · נָשַׂג (H5381)Predicate verb (negative comparison)→ Perfective: completed reckoning of a life that did not equal the fathersנָשַׂג (H5381) 'to overtake, reach, attain'; Hiphil; the image is of days not reaching (falling short of) the days of the fathers; Jacob measures himself against Abraham (175) and Isaac (180).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the following accusative phrase as the direct object of הִשִּׂיגוּ.
יְמֵי֙the days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object of הִשִּׂיגוּ (construct head)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the third occurrence of יְמֵי in this verse, now referring to the fathers' lifespans; the repetition of the construct chain is rhetorically deliberate.
שְׁנֵי֙the years ofN m du constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive of יְמֵי (medial construct)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; in construct, linking days to years to life to the fathers, sustaining the chain of comparison.
חַיֵּ֣יthe life ofN m pl constr · חַי (H2416)Genitive of שְׁנֵי (medial construct)חַי (H2416) 'life'; here without suffix, referring to the life of the fathers as a category; the fathers' lifespan is the standard against which Jacob measures himself as short.
אֲבֹתַ֔יmy fathersN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive of חַיֵּי (innermost genitive)אָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 1cs suffix; refers to Abraham (175 yrs) and Isaac (180 yrs), both of whom outlived the 130 years Jacob has now reached; Jacob is conscious of the shortened arc.
בִּימֵ֖יin the days ofprep בְּ + N m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (specifying when the fathers sojourned)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with בְּ; 'in the days of their sojournings' parallels Jacob's own מְגוּרַי and ties the patriarchal generations together under the category of sojourning.
מְגוּרֵיהֶֽםtheir sojourningsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · מָגוּר (H4033)Genitive of בִּימֵי (completing the temporal phrase)מָגוּר (H4033) 'sojourning, temporary dwelling'; the same root as מְגוּרַי in v. 9a; the fathers also sojourned — they too were pilgrims in Canaan — creating a chain of covenant identity that Jacob continues and extends.
10

וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶת פַּרְעֹ֑ה וַיֵּצֵ֖א מִלִּפְנֵ֥י פַרְעֹֽה

And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from before Pharaoh.

Jacob blesses Pharaoh again and departsוַיְבָרֶךְ
The audience is bracketed by blessing, underscoring Jacob’s continuing patriarchal dignity even in exile.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְבָ֥רֶךְand he blessedWayyiqtol Piel 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel; the audience ends as it began — with Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh (cf. v. 7), creating a bracket that defines the entire court encounter through the act of patriarchal blessing.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיְבָרֶךְיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the patriarch blesses again on departure, bracketing the encounter with twin blessings; the greater serves the lesser in reverse-order dignity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks Pharaoh as the direct object of the second blessing.
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Direct object of וַיְבָרֶךְפַּרְעֹה (H6547); the recipient of the second blessing; the verbal frame (v. 7 and v. 10) encloses Jacob's famous self-description in v. 9.
וַיֵּצֵ֖אand he went outWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (departure)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, depart'; the departure is the formal conclusion of the royal audience; Jacob exits as he entered, conferring blessing.
מִלִּפְנֵ֥יfrom beforeprep מִן + prep לְ + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Ablative prepositional phrase (point of departure)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; the compound preposition מִלִּפְנֵי 'from before the presence of' is the formal expression for departing a royal audience.
פַרְעֹֽהPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of מִלִּפְנֵי (object of the prepositional phrase)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the king's presence is the formal locus from which Jacob departs; the departure closes the patriarchal audience scene.
11

וַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב יוֹסֵף֮ אֶת אָבִ֣יו וְאֶת אֶחָיו֒ וַיִּתֵּ֨ן לָהֶ֤ם אֲחֻזָּה֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בְּמֵיטַ֥ב הָאָ֖רֶץ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ רַעְמְסֵ֑ס כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּ֥ה פַרְעֹֽה

And Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a holding in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, just as Pharaoh had commanded.

Joseph establishes the family in the best part of Egyptוַיּוֹשֵׁב
The promise of royal favor takes concrete territorial form in a settled holding for the household.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיּוֹשֵׁ֣בand he settledWayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; Hiphil causative: 'to settle, cause to dwell'; Joseph executes Pharaoh's command, formally establishing the family in the land.
יוֹסֵף֮JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיּוֹשֵׁביוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph acts as the agent who carries out Pharaoh's directive, settling both father and brothers in Egypt's best territory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (first object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the following noun as the first direct object.
אָבִ֣יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object of וַיּוֹשֵׁב (first member)אָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix; Jacob is named first, preserving his prominence as the patriarch of the family unit.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with coordinating conjunction; introduces the brothers as the second object of the settlement action.
אֶחָיו֒his brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Direct object of וַיּוֹשֵׁב (second member)אָח (H251) 'brother'; plural with 3ms suffix; the brothers are settled alongside Jacob as the broader household.
וַיִּתֵּ֨ןand he gaveWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; Joseph does not merely settle but formally grants a land holding, marking permanence and legal status.
לָהֶ֤םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffixIndirect object (recipient of the grant)Prepositional phrase לָהֶם 'to them'; refers to the family collectively as recipients of the formal land holding.
אֲחֻזָּה֙a holdingN f sg abs · אֲחֻזָּה (H272)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּן (the thing granted)אֲחֻזָּה (H272) 'possession, holding, allotted land'; from אָחַז 'to grasp, hold'; a formal term for legally held land; foreshadows the covenant promise of land ownership for Israel.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (general location)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the family's holding is located in Egypt, a foreign country — a holding in exile, anticipating the eventual return.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the holding is legally situated in Egypt, the country of their sojourn, not the promised land.
בְּמֵיטַ֥בin the best ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מֵיטַב (H4315)Locative prepositional phrase (qualitative specification)מֵיטַב (H4315) 'best part, choicest portion'; fulfills Pharaoh's offer in v. 6: 'in the best of the land'; the narrative confirms that Joseph obeyed the royal grant in full.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of מֵיטַב (completing the construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with article; the best of the land of Egypt is specifically identified next as Rameses.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Appositive locative (specifying the best district by name)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; a second locative phrase specifying the identity of the 'best' region as Rameses.
רַעְמְסֵ֑סRamesesProper noun · רַעְמְסֵס (H7486)Genitive of the second אֶרֶץ (named district)רַעְמְסֵס (H7486) the region of Rameses in Egypt; an anachronistic or anticipatory toponym that has generated historical discussion; the text presents it without explanation as the name of the best district of Egypt.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction (conformity to Pharaoh's command)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; כַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as, according as'; introduces the conformity clause — Joseph's action corresponds precisely to Pharaoh's instruction.
צִוָּ֥הhad commandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: the command was issued prior to the executionצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel; the narrative's explicit statement that Joseph acted in full obedience to Pharaoh's royal word; obedience to authority is highlighted.
פַרְעֹֽהPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subject of צִוָּהפַּרְעֹה (H6547); the royal authority whose command Joseph executes without deviation; the narrative validates Joseph's administrative fidelity.
12

וַיְכַלְכֵּ֤ל יוֹסֵף֙ אֶת אָבִ֣יו וְאֶת אֶחָ֔יו וְאֵ֖ת כָּל בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יו לֶ֖חֶם לְפִ֥י הַטָּֽף

And Joseph sustained his father and his brothers and all his father's house with bread according to the mouths of the little ones.

Joseph provides bread for the whole house according to its dependentsוַיְכַלְכֵּל
Provision is not abstract abundance but careful sustenance scaled to the vulnerable structure of the family.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיְכַלְכֵּ֤לand he sustainedWayyiqtol Pilpel 3ms · כּוּל (H3557)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — ongoing provisionכּוּל (H3557) 'to contain, sustain, nourish'; Pilpel intensive: 'to fully sustain, provide for'; the verb emphasizes Joseph's active and ongoing provision of food to the whole family.
יוֹסֵף֙JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיְכַלְכֵּליוֹסֵף (H3130); the faithfulness of Joseph as provider is highlighted here; he sustains not only father and brothers but the entire household.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (first object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the first object of the sustaining action.
אָבִ֣יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object (first member of the list)אָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob is the first named recipient, honoring his position as patriarch.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with conjunction; introduces the brothers as the second group sustained.
אֶחָ֔יוhis brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Direct object (second member)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the brothers as the extended male kinship group who Joseph now also sustains.
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; introduces the broader household as the third object, emphasizing comprehensive provision.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (inclusive quantifier of the household)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, the totality of'; in construct with the following noun; no member of the household is excluded from Joseph's provision.
בֵּ֣יתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain, the unit sustained)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; in construct; the extended household including dependents and servants, not just immediate family members.
אָבִ֑יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive of בֵּית (construct chain, identifying the household)אָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix; the household is identified as Jacob's, reinforcing the patriarchal structure of the family even in Egypt.
לֶ֖חֶםwith breadN m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Accusative of means (the substance of provision)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; here the staple of life; Joseph provides the essential food supply for the entire extended family.
לְפִ֥יaccording to the mouth ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Prepositional phrase of standard (provision scaled to the household)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; the idiom לְפִי 'according to the mouth of' means 'in proportion to, according to the need of'; provision is not uniform but calibrated to each dependent's need.
הַטָּֽףthe little onesart + N m sg abs · טַף (H2945)Genitive of לְפִי (standard of measurement)טַף (H2945) 'little ones, children, dependents'; from the root meaning to trip/walk in small steps; the provision is scaled to include even the most vulnerable members of the household.
13

וְלֶ֤חֶם אֵין֙ בְּכָל הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּֽי כָבֵ֥ד הָרָעָ֖ב מְאֹ֑ד וַתֵּ֜לַהּ אֶ֤רֶץ מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ וְאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן מִפְּנֵ֖י הָרָעָֽב

And there was no bread in all the land, because the famine was very heavy, and the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan were worn out because of the famine.

The famine’s severity exhausts both Egypt and Canaanוְלֶחֶם
The narrative widens from Joseph’s house to the land itself, showing famine pressing entire regions toward depletion.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְלֶ֤חֶםand breadconj וְ + N m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Subject of the negated existential clause (fronted, presentational)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the fronting of לֶחֶם emphasizes what is lacking — the very staple Joseph was providing in v. 12 is now absent on a land-wide scale.
אֵין֙there was noparticle of negated existence · אַיִן (H369)Negated existential predicate (there is no X)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not, non-existence'; the existential negative; the same formula as v. 4's אֵין מִרְעֶה, now scaled to the entire land's food supply.
בְּכָלin all ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (scope of the shortage)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality of'; in construct with the following noun; the scope of the bread shortage is total — no region is exempt.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain, defining the geographic scope)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the totality of the land — Egypt and beyond — is stripped of bread by the famine.
כִּֽיbecauseconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining the bread shortage)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the causal explanation for the land's total food shortage.
כָבֵ֥דwas very heavyadj m sg abs · כָּבֵד (H3515)Predicate adjective describing the famineכָּבֵד (H3515) 'heavy, severe'; echoing the same adjective used in v. 4; the repetition marks the escalation from family need to land-wide catastrophe.
הָרָעָ֖בthe famineart + N m sg abs · רָעָב (H7458)Subject of the predicate adjective clauseרָעָב (H7458) 'famine, hunger'; one of the chapter's main subjects; the famine drives all subsequent transactions of land and livestock.
מְאֹ֑דvery muchadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier (degree of the famine's severity)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifier strengthening כָּבֵד; the famine is not merely heavy but extremely heavy — the superlative of severity.
וַתֵּ֜לַהּand languishedWayyiqtol Qal 3fs · לָהַהּ (H3856)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (result of the famine)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — describes the land's resulting conditionלָהַהּ (H3856) 'to languish, be worn out, faint'; a rare verb used here of the land itself as the subject; the land is personified as exhausted by famine.
אֶ֤רֶץthe land ofN f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וַתֵּלַהּ (first member)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; the land of Egypt is personified as languishing under the famine's pressure.
מִצְרַ֨יִם֙EgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the first אֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; even the most prosperous land in the ancient Near East is worn out by the famine's severity.
וְאֶ֣רֶץand the land ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וַתֵּלַהּ (compound subject, second member)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; Canaan is added alongside Egypt as the second subject of the verb, both lands equally exhausted.
כְּנַ֔עַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of the second אֶרֶץכְּנַעַן (H3667) Canaan; together with Egypt forms a merism for the entire known world of the patriarchal narrative; both lands are stripped of sustenance.
מִפְּנֵ֖יbecause ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phrase (cause of the languishing)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; the idiom מִפְּנֵי 'from before, because of' introduces the cause; the famine's face/presence is what drove the land to exhaustion.
הָרָעָֽבthe famineart + N m sg abs · רָעָב (H7458)Genitive of מִפְּנֵי (cause of the languishing)רָעָב (H7458) 'famine'; the chapter's dominant theme word appears again as the explicit cause of the land's exhaustion; the repetition creates a drumbeat of crisis.
14

וַיְלַקֵּ֣ט יוֹסֵ֗ף אֶת כָּל הַכֶּ֨סֶף֙ הַנִּמְצָ֤א בְאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ וּבְאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן בַּשֶּׁ֖בֶר אֲשֶׁר הֵ֣ם שֹׁבְרִ֑ים וַיָּבֵ֥א יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶת הַכֶּ֖סֶף בֵּ֥יתָה פַרְעֹֽה

And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain that they were buying, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.

Joseph gathers all available money into Pharaoh’s houseוַיְלַקֵּט
Economic exchange is centralized under royal authority as Joseph administers grain distribution.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיְלַקֵּ֣טand he gatheredWayyiqtol Piel 3ms · לָקַט (H3950)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַט (H3950) 'to gather, collect'; Piel intensive; the same root used for gleaning scattered grain; here Joseph's comprehensive collection of all available silver from grain purchases.
יוֹסֵ֗ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיְלַקֵּטיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph is the agent of centralization; his administrative role here moves from provisioner to fiscal collector.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the following compound noun phrase as the definite direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (inclusive quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; in construct; Joseph's collection is total — every bit of silver was gathered.
הַכֶּ֨סֶף֙the silverart + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain, the thing collected)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the standard medium of exchange in the ancient Near East; before coinage, silver by weight served as currency.
הַנִּמְצָ֤אthat was foundart + Niphal ptc m sg abs · מָצָא (H4672)Attributive participle (restricting the silver to what was available)→ Participle: ongoing state — the silver currently in existenceמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, be found'; Niphal passive participle used attributively: 'the silver that was found'; the participle describes what was accessible and available.
בְאֶֽרֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (first geographic source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; specifies Egypt as the first region from which silver was gathered.
מִצְרַ֨יִם֙EgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the first אֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the primary market where grain sales occurred; Egypt's silver was transferred to Pharaoh's treasury.
וּבְאֶ֣רֶץand in the land ofconj וּ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (second geographic source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; Canaan is added as the second source of silver collected; buyers from both regions purchased grain from Joseph.
כְּנַ֔עַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of the second אֶרֶץכְּנַעַן (H3667) Canaan; the family's homeland also participated in buying grain from Egypt; their silver too flowed into Pharaoh's house.
בַּשֶּׁ֖בֶרfor the grainart + N m sg abs · שֶׁבֶר (H7668)Prepositional phrase of exchange (the commodity for which silver was paid)שֶׁבֶר (H7668) 'grain, grain rations'; from שָׁבַר 'to buy grain'; the specific commodity purchased; a technical term for grain bought under famine conditions.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (modifying הַשֶּׁבֶר)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the clause describing the grain-purchasing activity.
הֵ֣םtheyindependent pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the relative clauseהֵם (H1992) 'they'; the people of Egypt and Canaan who were buying grain; the pronoun highlights that the purchasing was ongoing and communal.
שֹׁבְרִ֑יםwere buyingQal ptc m pl abs · שָׁבַר (H7666)Predicate participle (describing ongoing activity in the relative clause)→ Participle: imperfective ongoing activity — the continuous purchasing of grainשָׁבַר (H7666) 'to buy grain, purchase food'; the Qal participle denotes repeated habitual activity; the people were continuously buying grain, constantly exchanging silver.
וַיָּבֵ֥אand he broughtWayyiqtol Hiphil 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second main action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; Hiphil 'to bring'; Joseph brings the collected silver to Pharaoh's house — the fiscal transfer is completed.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיָּבֵאיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph named again as the agent of the fiscal transfer; he is both collector and depositor.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the silver as the object of the bring-action.
הַכֶּ֖סֶףthe silverart + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of וַיָּבֵאכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the gathered silver is now transferred into royal custody; a decisive centralizing move.
בֵּ֥יתָהto the house ofN m sg constr + directional ה · בַּיִת (H1004)Directional accusative (destination of the silver)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; the directional suffix ה indicates movement toward; 'into Pharaoh's house' — the royal treasury or storehouse.
פַרְעֹֽהPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of בֵּיתָה (construct chain, identifying the house)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the final destination of Egypt's silver; the treasury of Pharaoh becomes the repository of all monetary wealth from grain sales.
15

וַיִּתֹּ֣ם הַכֶּ֗סֶף מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַיִם֮ וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַעַן֒ וַיָּבֹאוּ֩ כָל מִצְרַ֨יִם אֶל יוֹסֵ֤ף לֵאמֹר֙ הָֽבָה לָּ֣נוּ לֶ֔חֶם וְלָ֥מָּה נָמ֖וּת נֶגְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֥י אָפֵ֖ס כָּֽסֶף

And the money came to an end from the land of Egypt and from the land of Canaan, and all Egypt came to Joseph, saying, 'Give us bread. Why should we die before you? For the money is gone.'

When money fails, the Egyptians cry for bread rather than deathוַיִּתֹּם
The famine drives the population to open dependence, and the plea is framed in stark life-or-death terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיִּתֹּ֣םand it was spentWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · תָּמַם (H8552)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — marks the crisis pointתָּמַם (H8552) 'to be complete, finished, spent, exhausted'; Qal; the money is not merely low but totally gone — the word signals complete depletion with no remainder.
הַכֶּ֗סֶףthe silverart + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Subject of וַיִּתֹּםכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the subject of the exhaustion; all available silver has been transferred, leaving the population without any means of exchange.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Ablative prepositional phrase (first geographic source from which silver departed)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; the silver departed from Egypt as a region, draining into Pharaoh's treasury.
מִצְרַיִם֮EgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the first אֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the primary market is now stripped of silver; the famine has progressed from bread shortage to monetary collapse.
וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץand from the land ofconj וּ + prep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Ablative prepositional phrase (second geographic source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; Canaan is added as the second region depleted of silver.
כְּנַעַן֒CanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of the second אֶרֶץכְּנַעַן (H3667) Canaan; both Egypt and Canaan have exhausted their silver reserves through grain purchases.
וַיָּבֹאוּ֩and all Egypt cameWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the plural verb with collective כָּל מִצְרַיִם subject; the entire Egyptian population comes to Joseph as their last resort.
כָלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (inclusive subject)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; in construct; the universality of the crisis — the entire population mobilizes toward Joseph.
מִצְרַ֨יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain, identifying who came)מִצְרַיִם (H4713) Egyptians (as a people); the collective population of Egypt is the subject; the proper noun functions collectively to mean 'all Egyptians.'
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (destination of the coming)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joseph as the destination of the people's desperate appeal.
יוֹסֵ֤ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Object of אֶל (the authority addressed)יוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph is the sole resource available to the population; all roads in the crisis economy lead to him.
לֵאמֹר֙sayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of manner (introducing direct speech)→ Infinitive: conventional speech-introduction formulaאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר introduces the content of the people's appeal to Joseph.
הָֽבָהgiveQal impv 2ms (cohortative form) · יָהַב (H3051)Imperative (opening the appeal)יָהַב (H3051) 'to give, provide'; an Aramaic-flavored root used in imperative forms הָבָה/הָבוּ in biblical Hebrew; the demand is direct and urgent.
לָּ֣נוּusprep לְ + 1cp suffixIndirect object (recipient of the requested bread)Prepositional phrase לָנוּ 'to us'; the 1cp suffix represents the entire population making the appeal; they ask as a collective.
לֶ֔חֶםbreadN m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of הָבָה (the thing requested)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the basic staple of life; the population's appeal is stripped to its most primal need.
וְלָ֥מָּהand whyconj וְ + prep לְ + interrogative מַה (H4100)Interrogative introducing the rhetorical questionמַה (H4100) 'what, why'; לָמָּה 'for what purpose, why'; the question is rhetorical, pressing Joseph with the logic of life-preservation.
נָמ֖וּתshould we dieQal impf 1cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate of the rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal — the outcome they seek to avoidמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the rhetorical question frames the situation starkly: give bread or we will die; the imperfect has a potential/modal force.
נֶגְדֶּ֑ךָbefore youprep + 2ms suffix · נֶגֶד (H5048)Locative prepositional phrase (dying in Joseph's presence)נֶגֶד (H5048) 'before, in front of, in sight of'; 'before you' — the people's rhetorical appeal implies that dying in the presence of the one who could have helped would be a reproach to Joseph.
כִּ֥יforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining the extremity of their situation)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the factual grounding of their appeal: the money is gone, so bread cannot be purchased.
אָפֵ֖סis goneQal perf 3ms · אָפֵס (H656)Predicate verb (existential-negative assertion)→ Perfective: completed depletion — the money is definitively exhaustedאָפֵס (H656) 'to cease, come to an end, be spent'; a vivid verb of complete cessation; stronger than אָיַן; the money has not diminished but has ceased to exist.
כָּֽסֶףthe silverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Subject of אָפֵסכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the subject of the verb of cessation; its exhaustion drives the narrative into the next phase of exchange involving livestock.
16

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ הָב֣וּ מִקְנֵיכֶ֔ם וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם בְּמִקְנֵיכֶ֑ם אִם אָפֵ֖ס כָּֽסֶף

And Joseph said, 'Bring your livestock, and I will give to you in exchange for your livestock if the money is gone.'

Joseph moves the exchange system from money to livestockוַיֹּאמֶר
Administration adapts to the new stage of scarcity by converting bread into an exchange for productive assets.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Joseph's response→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph's reply establishes the second phase of famine exchange — livestock for bread.
יוֹסֵף֙JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph now acts as the sole administrator able to negotiate terms for continued survival.
הָב֣וּbringQal impv 2mp · יָהַב (H3051)Imperative (opening Joseph's counter-proposal)→ Volitional: imperative — Joseph issues a directiveיָהַב (H3051) 'to give'; Qal impv 2mp; Joseph mirrors the people's הָבָה (v. 15) and now issues his own imperative directing them to bring livestock.
מִקְנֵיכֶ֔םyour livestockN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Direct object of הָבוּ (the commodity requested)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, cattle, possessions'; from קָנָה 'to acquire'; the livestock are the people's remaining assets after money is exhausted.
וְאֶתְּנָ֥הand I will giveWeqatal Qal 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal (sequential promise following the imperative)→ Weqatal: consequential future — then I will give in exchangeנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the weqatal expresses the consequential commitment: bring livestock and Joseph will give bread in return.
לָכֶ֖םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixIndirect object (recipients of Joseph's provision)Prepositional phrase לָכֶם 'to you'; the people collectively as recipients of bread in the exchange.
בְּמִקְנֵיכֶ֑םin exchange for your livestockprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Instrumental/exchange prepositional phrase (what is given in return)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock'; the בְּ indicates exchange value: bread is given 'for' livestock; the preposition marks the transaction's terms.
אִםifconditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional particle (acknowledging the contingent situation)אִם (H518) 'if'; acknowledges the condition stated by the people in v. 15: the silver is gone, so livestock must substitute.
אָפֵ֖סis goneQal perf 3ms · אָפֵס (H656)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Perfective in conditional: the completed fact of monetary exhaustionאָפֵס (H656) 'to cease, be spent'; the same verb as v. 15b; Joseph's response incorporates the people's own statement back into the terms of the new agreement.
כָּֽסֶףthe silverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Subject of אָפֵס in the conditional clauseכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; echoes the close of the people's appeal; Joseph's conditional clause repeats their own final word back to them in accepting their premise.
17

וַיָּבִ֣יאוּ אֶת מִקְנֵיהֶם֮ אֶל יוֹסֵף֒ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לָהֶם֩ יוֹסֵ֨ף לֶ֜חֶם בַּסּוּסִ֗ים וּבְמִקְנֵ֥ה הַצֹּ֛אן וּבְמִקְנֵ֥ה הַבָּקָ֖ר וּבַחֲמֹרִ֑ים וַיְנַהֲלֵ֤ם בַּלֶּ֨חֶם֙ בְּכָל מִקְנֵהֶ֔ם בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה הַהִֽוא

And they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses and for the flocks and for the herds and for the donkeys, and he guided them with bread in return for all their livestock in that year.

Livestock is traded for bread throughout that yearוַיָּבִיאוּ
Joseph’s policy keeps the people alive, but it also transfers their animal wealth into Pharaoh’s control.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיָּבִ֣יאוּand they broughtWayyiqtol Hiphil 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; Hiphil 'to bring'; the people comply with Joseph's directive and bring their livestock as the new medium of exchange.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the livestock as the direct object of the bring-action.
מִקְנֵיהֶם֮their livestockN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Direct object of וַיָּבִיאוּמִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, possessions'; with 3mp suffix; the people's accumulated livestock holdings, now traded away to survive the famine.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking the recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; Joseph is the recipient and administrator of the livestock exchange.
יוֹסֵף֒JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Object of אֶליוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph receives the livestock and administers the bread distribution in return.
וַיִּתֵּ֣ןand he gaveWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the exchange transaction)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Joseph fulfills his promise, giving bread in exchange for the livestock categories that follow.
לָהֶם֩to themprep לְ + 3mp suffixIndirect object (recipients of the bread)Prepositional phrase לָהֶם 'to them'; the people collectively as recipients of Joseph's bread provision.
יוֹסֵ֨ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיִּתֵּן (explicit subject resumption)יוֹסֵף (H3130); the subject is re-stated for emphasis after the indirect object; Joseph's administrative agency is highlighted again.
לֶ֜חֶםbreadN m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּןלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the staple of life that Joseph provides; the bread is the exchange commodity on his side of the transaction.
בַּסּוּסִ֗יםfor the horsesart + N m pl abs · סוּס (H5483)Prepositional phrase of exchange (first livestock category)סוּס (H5483) 'horse'; horses head the list of livestock categories, suggesting their high value in the ancient Near Eastern economy.
וּבְמִקְנֵ֥הand for the livestock ofconj וּ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Prepositional phrase of exchange (second category, in construct)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock'; in construct before the category noun; the second category is small livestock (sheep and goats).
הַצֹּ֛אןthe flocksart + N collective abs · צֹאן (H6629)Genitive of מִקְנֵה (construct chain, livestock category)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock of sheep and goats'; the primary pastoral wealth of the people; the very animals whose lack of pasture drove the family to Egypt (v. 4).
וּבְמִקְנֵ֥הand for the livestock ofconj וּ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Prepositional phrase of exchange (third category, in construct)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock'; repeated construct for the third livestock category; cattle are separately enumerated from flocks.
הַבָּקָ֖רthe cattleart + N collective abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive of מִקְנֵה (construct chain, livestock category)בָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd, oxen'; the large bovine category; together with צֹאן and donkeys, these three categories exhaust the main classes of domestic livestock.
וּבַחֲמֹרִ֑יםand for the donkeysconj וּ + art + N m pl abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Prepositional phrase of exchange (fourth livestock category)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey, ass'; the beast of burden essential for transport and agriculture; the four categories (horses, flocks, cattle, donkeys) represent the full sweep of animal wealth.
וַיְנַהֲלֵ֤םand he guided themWayyiqtol Piel 3ms + 3mp suffix · נָהַל (H5095)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (ongoing pastoral provision)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָהַל (H5095) 'to lead, guide, conduct'; Piel; a pastoral verb — to lead/shepherd the people through their need; Joseph is pictured as a shepherd guiding the population through famine with sustained provision.
בַּלֶּ֨חֶם֙with breadart + N m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means of provision)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the bread is the instrument of Joseph's pastoral guidance; he sustains the people with food throughout the livestock-exchange year.
בְּכָלin exchange for allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Inclusive prepositional phrase (full scope of livestock exchanged)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with בְּ expressing complete exchange; every category of livestock was exchanged for bread — the totality is emphasized.
מִקְנֵהֶ֔םtheir livestockN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain, totality of livestock)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, possessions'; with 3mp suffix; the entire livestock estate of the Egyptian population was transferred to Pharaoh in this transaction.
בַּשָּׁנָ֖הin the yearart + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration of the livestock exchange)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; with the article making it definite: 'in that year'; the livestock exchange covered one full year of famine administration.
הַהִֽואthatart + pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective (pointing back to the year previously established)הוּא (H1931) 'that'; with the article functioning as a demonstrative; 'that year' refers to the specific year when the livestock exchange occurred.
18

וַתִּתֹּם֮ הַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַהִוא֒ וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ אֵלָ֜יו בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשֵּׁנִ֗ית וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לוֹ֙ לֹֽא נְכַחֵ֣ד מֵֽאֲדֹנִ֔י כִּ֚י אִם תַּ֣ם הַכֶּ֔סֶף וּמִקְנֵ֥ה הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה אֶל אֲדֹנִ֑י לֹ֤א נִשְׁאַר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י בִּלְתִּ֥י אִם גְּוִיָּתֵ֖נוּ וְאַדְמָתֵֽנוּ

And that year came to an end, and they came to him in the second year and said to him, 'We will not hide it from my lord that the money is exhausted and the livestock of the herds belongs to my lord. Nothing remains before my lord except our bodies and our land.'

In the next year the people admit that only body and land remainוַתִּתֹּם
The speech acknowledges the total erosion of independent resources and sets up the next surrender of status.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וַתִּתֹּם֮and it endedWayyiqtol Qal 3fs · תָּמַם (H8552)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal transition)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — marks the end of the first exchange yearתָּמַם (H8552) 'to be complete, finished'; fs agrees with הַשָּׁנָה; the year of livestock exchange came to its end, opening the next phase.
הַשָּׁנָ֣הthe yearart + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Subject of וַתִּתֹּםשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; with article; 'that year' (the livestock-exchange year) came to an end, transitioning to the next famine year.
הַהִוא֒thatart + pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective (pointing back to the completed year)הוּא (H1931) 'that'; demonstrative with article; refers to the specific year just described in which livestock was exchanged for bread.
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּand they cameWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second year's appeal)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the people return to Joseph in the second year with nothing left but body and land.
אֵלָ֜יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (coming to Joseph)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 3ms suffix referring to Joseph; the people come again to the one person who holds the food supply.
בַּשָּׁנָ֣הin the yearart + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phrase (the second famine year)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the second famine year marks the escalation from livestock-exchange to body-and-land surrender.
הַשֵּׁנִ֗יתthe secondart + ordinal f sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Attributive adjective modifying הַשָּׁנָהשֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; the ordinal number specifies the second year of the famine phase; the progression of years marks the deepening of economic desperation.
וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּand they saidWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing the people's second appeal→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the people's second speech is longer and more desperate than the first; they openly declare the total depletion of their resources.
לוֹ֙to himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object (addressee of the appeal)Prepositional phrase לוֹ 'to him'; refers to Joseph as the addressee; the people address him directly in their declaration of total depletion.
לֹֽאwe will notnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating the following verb)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the people preface their confession with a negative promise of transparency: 'we will not hide it from our lord.'
נְכַחֵ֣דconcealPiel impf 1cp · כָּחַד (H3582)Predicate verb (negated declaration of transparency)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — their stated intention not to hide the truthכָּחַד (H3582) 'to hide, conceal, destroy'; Piel; the people explicitly renounce concealment, pledging full transparency about their economic situation.
מֵֽאֲדֹנִ֔יfrom my lordprep מִן + N m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Ablative prepositional phrase (from whom nothing is hidden)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; with 1cs suffix; the people address Joseph with the deferential title 'my lord,' acknowledging his authority while making their confession.
כִּ֚יthatconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (introducing the content of what they will not conceal)כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; here introducing the content of the declaration — the specific facts they pledge not to conceal.
אִםsurelyconditional/asseverative particle · אִם (H518)Asseverative particle (introducing emphatic affirmation)אִם (H518) 'if; in כִּי אִם the combination can mean 'but rather, surely, indeed'; here introduces the emphatic positive declaration of what has happened to their resources.
תַּ֣םis spentQal perf 3ms · תָּמַם (H8552)Predicate verb of the declaration clause→ Perfective: completed depletion — the money is definitively goneתָּמַם (H8552) 'to be complete, spent, finished'; Qal perfect; the money's exhaustion is stated as a completed fact.
הַכֶּ֔סֶףthe silverart + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Subject of תַּםכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the subject of the declaration; stated first in the confession as the first resource exhausted.
וּמִקְנֵ֥הand the livestock ofconj וּ + N m sg constr · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Subject of the coordinate clause (second depleted resource)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock'; in construct; the second resource category now exhausted; the livestock was given to Joseph/Pharaoh in the previous year's exchange.
הַבְּהֵמָ֖הthe animalsart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive of מִקְנֵה (construct chain, specifying the livestock category)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, beast, livestock'; a broader term than מִקְנֶה; used here as a genitive in construct to specify the animal livestock category.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (indicating transfer to Joseph/Pharaoh)אֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the direction of livestock transfer; the livestock has passed into the possession of 'my lord' (Pharaoh through Joseph).
אֲדֹנִ֑יmy lordN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Object of אֶל (recipient of the livestock transfer)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the livestock has already been transferred 'to my lord' in the previous year; the confession acknowledges this completed transfer.
לֹ֤אthere is nothingnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative existential predicateלֹא (H3808) 'not'; in the existential clause לֹא נִשְׁאַר 'nothing remains'; introduces the climactic statement of total depletion.
נִשְׁאַר֙leftNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (existential negative — nothing remains)→ Perfective: completed situation — the state of having nothing leftשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain, be left over'; Niphal passive; 'nothing has been left' — the perfect states the result of the total exhaustion of all previous resources.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (in the presence of the lord)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of'; the people acknowledge that their total depletion is transparent to Joseph/Pharaoh.
אֲדֹנִ֔יmy lordN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Genitive of לִפְנֵי (the presence before whom nothing remains)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord'; the third occurrence in the verse; the repeated deferential address underlines both the asymmetry of power and the complete transparency of the confession.
בִּלְתִּ֥יexceptnegative particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Exceptive particle (introducing what alone remains)בִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'except, unless, without'; here in the combination בִּלְתִּי אִם 'except if, unless'; introduces the sole remaining possession — their bodies and land.
אִם[it be]conditional particle · אִם (H518)Exceptive conjunction (paired with בִּלְתִּי for exception)אִם (H518); in the idiom בִּלְתִּי אִם 'except that, nothing but'; the combination introduces the sole exception to total depletion.
גְּוִיָּתֵ֖נוּour bodiesN f sg constr + 1cp suffix · גְּוִיָּה (H1472)Subject of the exception clause (what alone remains)גְּוִיָּה (H1472) 'body, corpse'; from a root related to גֵּו 'back, body'; the people offer themselves as the last remaining asset; the term for body carries connotations of bodily vulnerability.
וְאַדְמָתֵֽנוּand our landconj וְ + N f sg constr + 1cp suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Compound subject (second member of the exception clause)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, agricultural land'; with 1cp suffix; alongside their bodies, the people's land is their only remaining possession; both are now offered as the price of life.
19

לָ֧מָּה נָמ֣וּת לְעֵינֶ֗יךָ גַּם אֲנַ֨חְנוּ֙ גַּ֣ם אַדְמָתֵ֔נוּ קְנֵֽה אֹתָ֥נוּ וְאֶת אַדְמָתֵ֖נוּ בַּלָּ֑חֶם וְנִֽהְיֶ֞ה אֲנַ֤חְנוּ וְאַדְמָתֵ֨נוּ֙ עֲבָדִ֣ים לְפַרְעֹ֔ה וְתֶן זֶ֗רַע וְנִֽחְיֶה֙ וְלֹ֣א נָמ֔וּת וְהָאֲדָמָ֖ה לֹ֥א תֵשָֽׁם

'Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. Give seed so that we may live and not die, and the ground not become desolate.'

The Egyptians offer themselves and their land for bread and seedלָמָּה
Life, servitude, and the avoidance of desolation are bound together in the people’s own proposal.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
לָ֧מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrogative מַה (H4100)Interrogative (rhetorical question opening the petition)מַה (H4100) 'what, why'; לָמָּה 'why, for what reason'; the people press their appeal with a rhetorical question framing death as avoidable.
נָמ֣וּתshould we dieQal impf 1cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate of the rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal — potential outcome they seek to avoidמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the imperfect with modal force: 'why should we die?'; death is presented as the avoidable outcome of inaction on Joseph's part.
לְעֵינֶ֗יךָbefore your eyesprep לְ + N f du constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Locative prepositional phrase (dying in Joseph's sight)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the idiom 'before your eyes' intensifies the appeal — dying in Joseph's sight when he could have helped would be a reproach.
גַּםbothadverbial particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (first of the correlative גַּם…גַּם)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even, both'; the correlative structure parallels the brothers' speech in v. 3; both we and our land are offered together.
אֲנַ֨חְנוּ֙weindependent pronoun 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of the first member of the correlativeאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; the people present themselves as the first of the two assets to be purchased.
גַּ֣םandadverbial particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (second of the correlative)גַּם (H1571) 'also'; second member of the גַּם…גַּם correlative, introducing the land as the parallel asset.
אַדְמָתֵ֔נוּour landN f sg constr + 1cp suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subject of the second correlative memberאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, land'; with 1cp suffix; the people's agricultural land is offered alongside themselves; land and life together are the price of survival.
קְנֵֽהbuyQal impv 2ms · קָנָה (H7069)Imperative (the main petition)→ Volitional: imperative — the people's explicit request for purchaseקָנָה (H7069) 'to buy, acquire'; the Qal imperative is the blunt heart of the petition: 'buy us'; the people propose their own enslavement as the solution to the crisis.
אֹתָ֥נוּusobj marker + 1cp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of קְנֵה (the people as commodity)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 1cp suffix; the people offer themselves as the direct object of the purchase; 'buy us and our land for bread.'
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; introduces the land as the second direct object of the purchase request.
אַדְמָתֵ֖נוּour landN f sg constr + 1cp suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object of קְנֵה (land as commodity)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, agricultural land'; the people's land is the second commodity they offer; its sale to Pharaoh will result in the comprehensive land transfer of v. 20.
בַּלָּ֑חֶםfor breadart + N m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Prepositional phrase of exchange (the price offered for the purchase)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the people offer body and land in exchange for the basic staple of life; the stark exchange underlines the severity of famine's pressure.
וְנִֽהְיֶ֞הand we will beWeqatal Qal 1cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal (consequential clause following the imperative)→ Weqatal: sequential result — then we will become servantsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the weqatal expresses the consequential state: after the purchase, they will be servants to Pharaoh.
אֲנַ֤חְנוּweindependent pronoun 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of וְנִהְיֶה (explicit subject resumption)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; the explicit subject pronoun emphasizes that the people themselves are proposing their own servitude.
וְאַדְמָתֵ֨נוּ֙and our landconj וְ + N f sg constr + 1cp suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Compound subject (coordinate with אֲנַחְנוּ)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'land'; the land will also become Pharaoh's; both people and land are included in the servitude that results from the purchase.
עֲבָדִ֣יםservantsN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement of וְנִהְיֶה (the state they will become)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; the people voluntarily propose the status of עֲבָדִים 'servants'; they accept Pharaoh's ownership in exchange for survival.
לְפַרְעֹ֔הto Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Dative prepositional phrase (the lord to whom they become servants)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the ultimate beneficiary of the people's proposed self-enslavement; the administrative chain from Joseph to Pharaoh is explicit.
וְתֶןand giveWeqatal Qal 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal (second request following the purchase)→ Weqatal: sequential further request — and also give us seedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the people add a second request after the purchase: also give us seed for planting so that life can continue.
זֶ֗רַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of וְתֶן (the thing requested)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, sowing'; the request for seed shows that the people are not content merely to survive in servitude — they want to plant and sustain life through agriculture.
וְנִֽחְיֶה֙and we may liveWeqatal Qal 1cp · חָיָה (H2421)Weqatal (purpose/result of the seed request)→ Weqatal: consequential result — so that we liveחָיָה (H2421) 'to live, remain alive'; the weqatal expresses the purpose of the seed request: so that we might continue living; life itself is the goal of both requests.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative coordinating particle (negative counterpart to the purpose)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; negates the unwanted alternative; the people frame the second purpose negatively: so that we do not die.
נָמ֔וּתdieQal impf 1cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate of the negative purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal — the outcome to be avoidedמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the negative purpose echoes the opening question of the verse (v. 19a) and v. 15b; the people return to the core concern: survival versus death.
וְהָאֲדָמָ֖הand the groundconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subject of the third purpose clause (fate of the land)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, agricultural land'; with article; the final concern is that the land itself not become desolate; survival of the land parallels survival of the people.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating the land's desolation)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the third negative in the verse, introducing the desire for the land not to be desolated; the fate of land and people are bound together.
תֵשָֽׁםbecome desolateQal impf 3fs · שָׁמֵם (H3456)Predicate verb of the third purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal — the state to be avoided for the landשָׁמֵם (H3456) 'to be desolate, waste, appalled'; the verb refers to land left uncultivated and abandoned; the people want not just to survive but to maintain agricultural productivity.
20

וַיִּ֨קֶן יוֹסֵ֜ף אֶת כָּל אַדְמַ֤ת מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ לְפַרְעֹ֔ה כִּֽי מָכְר֤וּ מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ אִ֣ישׁ שָׂדֵ֔הוּ כִּֽי חָזַ֥ק עֲלֵהֶ֖ם הָרָעָ֑ב וַתְּהִ֥י הָאָ֖רֶץ לְפַרְעֹֽה

And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, because every Egyptian sold his field, for the famine was strong upon them, and the land became Pharaoh's.

Joseph acquires all Egyptian land for Pharaohוַיִּקֶן
The famine reaches its institutional climax as the land itself becomes royal possession.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּ֨קֶןand he boughtWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · קָנָה (H7069)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָנָה (H7069) 'to buy, acquire'; Joseph executes the people's proposal, purchasing all of Egypt's land for Pharaoh; the famine reaches its institutional climax.
יוֹסֵ֜ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיִּקֶןיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph is the agent of the land acquisition; he acts as Pharaoh's administrator in the comprehensive purchase.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the following phrase as the comprehensive direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (quantifier of land purchased)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; in construct; the comprehensiveness of the acquisition — every parcel of Egyptian land is included.
אַדְמַ֤תthe land ofN f sg constr · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, agricultural land'; in construct; the acquisition is of agricultural soil — Egypt's productive land.
מִצְרַ֨יִם֙EgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of אַדְמַת (innermost genitive)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the entire land of Egypt as a whole is purchased; a comprehensive transfer of agrarian property to royal ownership.
לְפַרְעֹ֔הfor Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Dative prepositional phrase (beneficiary of the purchase)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the purchase is made on Pharaoh's behalf; Joseph is the administrator but the land accrues to the royal estate.
כִּֽיbecauseconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining why the purchase was possible)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the factual reason the land could be purchased: each Egyptian sold his own field.
מָכְר֤וּsoldQal perf 3cp · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: completed individual transactions of land saleמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; Qal perfect 3cp; each Egyptian sold his field individually, collectively resulting in the total transfer of land to Pharaoh.
מִצְרַ֨יִם֙the EgyptiansProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Subject of מָכְרוּ (collective subject)מִצְרַיִם (H4713) Egyptians (as a people/collective); the proper noun functioning collectively to denote the Egyptian population as sellers.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subject (each individual Egyptian)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, individual'; distributive 'each man'; the individual sales are noted, showing that the aggregate land transfer was built from countless individual decisions made under famine duress.
שָׂדֵ֔הוּhis fieldN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Direct object of מָכְרוּ (what each sold)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; with 3ms suffix; each man's individual field was sold to survive; the sum of these individual transactions became Pharaoh's comprehensive ownership.
כִּֽיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining why the Egyptians sold)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the motivation for the individual sales: the famine was overwhelming.
חָזַ֥קwas severeQal perf 3ms · חָזַק (H2388)Predicate verb (describing the famine's force)→ Perfective: completed domination of the famine over the landחָזַק (H2388) 'to be strong, prevail, seize'; the famine's prevailing force drove the land sales; חָזַק combines the ideas of strength and domination.
עֲלֵהֶ֖םupon themprep עַל + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phrase (the famine's target)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; with 3mp suffix; the famine prevailed 'upon them' — the preposition marks the people as the ones overwhelmed by the famine's pressure.
הָרָעָ֑בthe famineart + N m sg abs · רָעָב (H7458)Subject of חָזַקרָעָב (H7458) 'famine, hunger'; the chapter's dominant theme word; its severity (חָזַק) is the stated cause of the land sales.
וַתְּהִ֥יand it becameWayyiqtol Qal 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (summary result)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — states the institutional outcomeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; fs agrees with הָאָרֶץ; the land 'became' Pharaoh's is the summary statement of the entire process.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וַתְּהִיאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, country'; with article; the totality of Egypt's land is the subject of the summary clause; it became Pharaoh's.
לְפַרְעֹֽהPharaoh'sprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Predicate prepositional phrase (new ownership established)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the land became 'for/belonging to Pharaoh'; the prepositional phrase of belonging summarizes the institutional outcome of the famine administration.
21

וְאֶ֨ת הָעָ֔ם הֶעֱבִ֥יר אֹת֖וֹ לֶעָרִ֑ים מִקְצֵ֥ה גְבוּל מִצְרַ֖יִם וְעַד קָצֵֽהוּ

And as for the people, he moved them to the cities from one end of the border of Egypt even to its other end.

Joseph relocates the people through the cities of Egyptוְאֶת
The administration extends beyond ownership into social reorganization across the breadth of the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאֶ֨תand as forconj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Casus pendens marker (fronted object for topicalization)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; used here in a topicalizing/casus pendens construction — 'and as for the people, he moved them'; the object is fronted for rhetorical prominence.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Topicalized object (casus pendens, resuming as the object of the verb)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation, population'; with article; the Egyptian population is topicalized before the verb, drawing special attention to the social relocation that follows land transfer.
הֶעֱבִ֥ירhe movedHiphil perf 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (main clause, after casus pendens)→ Perfective: a completed act of population relocationעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross, pass over'; Hiphil causative 'to cause to pass, move, transfer'; a well-known crux: the MT has Joseph relocating the people city to city; a population transfer accompanying the land acquisition.
אֹת֖וֹthemobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הֶעֱבִיר (resuming the topicalized people)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix; the 3ms suffix is surprising with a plural antecedent (עָם is grammatically singular); refers to the people as a collective unit.
לֶעָרִ֑יםto the citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Directional prepositional phrase (destination of the relocation)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; with article and directional לְ; the people are relocated to urban centers, which may reflect administrative regrouping following the agrarian land transfer.
מִקְצֵ֥הfrom one end ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Ablative prepositional phrase (starting boundary of the relocation)קָצֶה (H7097) 'end, extremity, border'; the idiom מִקְצֵה…וְעַד קָצֵה describes a full geographic sweep from one end to the other.
גְבוּלthe border ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Genitive of מִקְצֵה (construct chain)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, boundary, territory'; in construct with the proper noun; the full territorial boundary of Egypt is specified as the scope of the relocation.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of גְּבוּל (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the relocation is Egypt-wide, from the southern to the northern border.
וְעַדtoconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Terminal prepositional phrase (ending boundary of the relocation)עַד (H5704) 'unto, as far as, to'; with וְ; marks the terminal boundary of the geographic sweep; the relocation covered the entire country.
קָצֵֽהוּits other endN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קָצֶה (H7097)Object of עַד (terminal boundary)קָצֶה (H7097) 'end, extremity'; with 3ms suffix referring to Egypt's other end; the full expression מִקְצֵה…עַד קָצֵהוּ means 'from one end to the other' — a merism for totality.
22

רַ֛ק אַדְמַ֥ת הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים לֹ֣א קָנָ֑ה כִּי֩ חֹ֨ק לַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים מֵאֵ֣ת פַּרְעֹ֗ה וְאָֽכְל֤וּ אֶת חֻקָּם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֤ן לָהֶם֙ פַּרְעֹ֔ה עַל כֵּ֕ן לֹ֥א מָכְר֖וּ אֶת אַדְמָתָֽם

Only the land of the priests he did not buy, because the priests had a fixed allotment from Pharaoh, and they ate their allotment that Pharaoh gave them. Therefore they did not sell their land.

The priests’ land is excepted because of Pharaoh’s allotmentרַק
This exception marks Egyptian social hierarchy and shows that not every estate is absorbed in the same way.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
רַ֛קonlyadverbial particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb (marking the one exception)רַק (H7535) 'only, but, except'; the restrictive particle signals the sole exception to the comprehensive land purchase; the priests' land was not acquired.
אַדְמַ֥תthe land ofN f sg constr · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subject of לֹא קָנָה (construct head)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, agricultural land'; in construct; specifies the priests' land as the subject of the exception clause.
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖יםthe priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Genitive of אַדְמַת (construct chain, identifying the exception)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; with article; the priestly class of Egypt whose land tenure was protected by Pharaoh's own allotment system.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating the purchase)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the exception is stated negatively: 'he did not buy' the priestly land.
קָנָ֑הhe boughtQal perf 3ms · קָנָה (H7069)Predicate verb (negated — the purchase did not occur)→ Perfective: the exception to the completed purchaseקָנָה (H7069) 'to buy, acquire'; the same verb used in v. 20 now negated to specify the exception; the priests' land was excluded from the comprehensive purchase.
כִּי֩becauseconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining why the priests' land was not purchased)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the reason for the exception: the priests had a royal allotment that sustained them independently.
חֹ֨קan allotmentN m sg abs · חֹק (H2706)Subject of the causal clause (predicate existential)חֹק (H2706) 'statute, fixed portion, allotment'; a fixed regular provision from royal resources; the priests received a חֹק from Pharaoh, making grain sales unnecessary.
לַכֹּהֲנִ֜יםfor the priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Dative prepositional phrase (recipients of the royal allotment)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; with article and לְ; the priests are the beneficiaries of Pharaoh's fixed provision.
מֵאֵ֣תfromprep מִן + prep אֵת · אֵת (H854)Ablative prepositional phrase (source of the allotment)אֵת (H854) preposition 'with, from'; the compound מֵאֵת 'from with' indicates the source person; the allotment comes from Pharaoh himself.
פַּרְעֹ֗הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of מֵאֵת (the source of the priestly allotment)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); Pharaoh personally guaranteed the priests' provision; the social and religious establishment of Egypt remained outside the famine's economic pressure.
וְאָֽכְל֤וּand they ateWeqatal Qal 3cp · אָכַל (H398)Weqatal (explaining how the allotment was used)→ Weqatal: sequential elaboration — they ate their portionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; the weqatal describes the ongoing consumption of the royal allotment; the priests ate their fixed portion and had no need to sell land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the allotment as the direct object of eating.
חֻקָּם֙their allotmentN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · חֹק (H2706)Direct object of וְאָכְלוּחֹק (H2706) 'fixed allotment, statute'; with 3mp suffix referring to the priests; their 'portion' or 'allotment' is the technical term for the regular provision Pharaoh gave them.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (modifying חֻקָּם)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the attributive clause describing the origin of the allotment.
נָתַ֤ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: the completed act of giving the allotmentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Pharaoh's act of giving is the basis of the priestly exception; the gift preceded the famine crisis and remained in force during it.
לָהֶם֙to themprep לְ + 3mp suffixIndirect object of נָתַן (recipients)Prepositional phrase לָהֶם 'to them'; the priests as the recipients of Pharaoh's regular royal provision.
פַּרְעֹ֔הPharaohProper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subject of נָתַן (in the relative clause)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); Pharaoh is the giver of the priestly allotment; his role as both the buyer of the people's land and the pre-existing provider of the priests is notable.
עַלthereforeprep · עַל (H5921)Consequential prepositional phrase (introducing the result)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over, concerning'; in the idiom עַל כֵּן 'therefore, for that reason'; introduces the logical conclusion drawn from the priestly allotment.
כֵּ֕ןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Demonstrative adverb completing the consequential idiomכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, therefore'; עַל כֵּן 'therefore, for this reason'; draws the logical conclusion from the fact that the priests had a royal allotment.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating the land sale)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the conclusion is stated negatively: they did not sell their land.
מָכְר֖וּthey soldQal perf 3cp · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb (negated — the priests did not sell)→ Perfective in negated clause: the sale that did not occurמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; the priests did not sell their land because they had no financial need to do so; the royal allotment insulated them from the famine's economic pressure.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the priests' land as the object of the (negated) sale.
אַדְמָתָֽםtheir landN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object of מָכְרוּ (the land not sold)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'agricultural land'; with 3mp suffix for the priests; the priestly land remained in private priestly hands, constituting the sole exception to Pharaoh's comprehensive acquisition.
23

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ אֶל הָעָ֔ם הֵן֩ קָנִ֨יתִי אֶתְכֶ֥ם הַיּ֛וֹם וְאֶת אַדְמַתְכֶ֖ם לְפַרְעֹ֑ה הֵֽא לָכֶ֣ם זֶ֔רַע וּזְרַעְתֶּ֖ם אֶת הָאֲדָמָֽה

And Joseph said to the people, 'Behold, I have bought you today and your land for Pharaoh. Here is seed for you, and sow the land.'

Joseph supplies seed after the purchase of people and landוַיֹּאמֶר
The narrative turns from acquisition to ordered renewal: land and labor are now reactivated under Pharaoh’s claim.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Joseph's address to the people→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph now speaks directly to the people, announcing the completed purchase and providing seed for the new agricultural order.
יוֹסֵף֙JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph addresses the people directly, transitioning from the crisis of acquisition to the provision of means for renewed life.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (marking the addressees)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the people as the recipients of Joseph's address.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of אֶל (the people addressed)עַם (H5971) 'people'; with article; the Egyptian population collectively as the addressees of Joseph's formal statement of their new status and provision.
הֵן֩beholdpresentative particle · הֵן (H2005)Presentative particle (drawing attention to the announcement)הֵן (H2005) 'behold, lo, look'; a deictic particle similar to הִנֵּה; Joseph draws attention to the decisive fact he is about to announce.
קָנִ֨יתִיI have boughtQal perf 1cs · קָנָה (H7069)Predicate verb of the announcement clause→ Perfective: completed act — the purchase is done and irrevocableקָנָה (H7069) 'to buy, acquire'; the Qal perfect 1cs announces the completed transaction; Joseph speaks as the agent who executed the purchase on Pharaoh's behalf.
אֶתְכֶ֥םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of קָנִיתִי (the people as acquired)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 2mp suffix; the people are addressed as the first direct object of the purchase — 'I have bought you.'
הַיּ֛וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverb (marking the immediacy of the transaction)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article used temporally: 'today'; the word stresses the immediacy and definitiveness of the acquisition — it is done today.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; introduces the land as the second direct object of the purchase.
אַדְמַתְכֶ֖םyour landN f sg constr + 2mp suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object of קָנִיתִי (land as acquired)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, agricultural land'; with 2mp suffix; the people's land is the second object of purchase; both body and land now belong to Pharaoh.
לְפַרְעֹ֑הfor Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Dative prepositional phrase (beneficiary of the purchase)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the explicit statement of Pharaoh as the ultimate beneficiary; Joseph is the agent, Pharaoh the owner.
הֵֽאhere ispresentative particle · הֵא (H1887)Presentative particle (introducing the provision)הֵא (H1887) 'here, behold, take!'; a deictic particle presenting something; Joseph shifts from announcing the purchase to presenting the seed.
לָכֶ֣םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffixDative prepositional phrase (recipient of the seed provision)Prepositional phrase לָכֶם 'for you'; the people collectively as recipients of Joseph's provision of seed.
זֶ֔רַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of הֵא (the thing presented)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, sowing'; Joseph provides seed to restart the agricultural cycle; after purchasing the land, he equips the people to cultivate it under the new arrangement.
וּזְרַעְתֶּ֖םand sowWeqatal Qal 2mp · זָרַע (H2232)Weqatal (command following the seed provision)→ Weqatal: sequential command — then sow the landזָרַע (H2232) 'to sow, plant'; the weqatal carries a directive force: having received the seed, 'you shall sow the land'; agricultural activity is to resume immediately.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the land as the direct object of the sowing command.
הָאֲדָמָֽהthe landart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object of וּזְרַעְתֶּםאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, agricultural land'; with article; though now Pharaoh's property, the land is to be sown by the same people who sold it — they become tenant farmers on their former ground.
24

וְהָיָה֙ בַּתְּבוּאֹ֔ת וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית לְפַרְעֹ֑ה וְאַרְבַּ֣ע הַיָּדֹ֡ת יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶם֩ לְזֶ֨רַע הַשָּׂדֶ֧ה וּֽלְאָכְלְכֶ֛ם וְלַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֖ם וְלֶאֱכֹ֥ל לְטַפְּכֶֽם

'And it shall be at the harvests that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts shall be yours for seed of the field and for your food and for those in your houses and for food for your little ones.'

Joseph fixes the fifth for Pharaoh and the remainder for life and sowingוְהָיָה
The policy establishes a durable structure in which royal claim and household survival are held in balance.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְהָיָה֙and it shall beWeqatal Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal introducing temporal/conditional clause→ Weqatal: sequential temporal specification — at harvest time it shall beהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the weqatal introduces a temporal clause: 'and it shall come to pass at harvest'; a standard biblical idiom for introducing future conditions.
בַּתְּבוּאֹ֔תat the harvestart + N f pl abs · תְּבוּאָה (H8393)Temporal prepositional phrase (when the obligation falls due)תְּבוּאָה (H8393) 'produce, yield, harvest'; from בּוֹא 'to come'; the harvests/yields of the field; at harvest time the fifth must be given.
וּנְתַתֶּ֥םyou shall giveWeqatal Qal 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal (the main obligation)→ Weqatal: sequential obligation — you shall give the fifthנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the weqatal states the core obligation of the new arrangement: at harvest, give a fifth to Pharaoh.
חֲמִישִׁ֖יתa fifthordinal f sg abs · חֲמִישִׁי (H2549)Direct object of וּנְתַתֶּם (the portion required)חֲמִישִׁי (H2549) 'fifth'; used as a noun for one-fifth; a 20% tax on agricultural produce; historically plausible as an ancient Near Eastern taxation rate.
לְפַרְעֹ֑הto Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Indirect object (recipient of the fifth)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the fifth goes directly to Pharaoh as the royal landowner; the people become tenant farmers paying a rent of 20% of produce.
וְאַרְבַּ֣עand fourconj וְ + cardinal numeral f abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Subject of the following clause (the four-fifths kept)אַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'; the four-fifths remaining after the royal fifth are distributed among seed, food, and household needs.
הַיָּדֹ֡תthe partsart + N f pl abs · יָד (H3027)Appositive to וְאַרְבַּע (the 'four hands' idiom)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; used idiomatically in the plural for 'shares, portions'; אַרְבַּע הַיָּדֹת 'four portions/hands' is the four-fifths retained by the people.
יִהְיֶ֣הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (the distribution clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the stipulated ongoing arrangementהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the imperfect here describes the ongoing arrangement: 'shall be yours'; the four-fifths remain the people's provision.
לָכֶם֩yoursprep לְ + 2mp suffixPredicate prepositional phrase (possession of the four-fifths)Prepositional phrase לָכֶם 'for you, belonging to you'; the four-fifths are distributed to various needs of the people's household.
לְזֶ֨רַעfor seed forprep לְ + N m sg constr · זֶרַע (H2233)Purposive prepositional phrase (first use of the four-fifths)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed'; the first allocation from the four-fifths is for replanting; ensuring next year's crop is the first priority.
הַשָּׂדֶ֧הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive of לְזֶרַע (construct chain — seed for the field)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; with article; the field seed allocation ensures continuity of agricultural production on Pharaoh's land.
וּֽלְאָכְלְכֶ֛םand for your foodconj וּ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · אֹכֶל (H400)Purposive prepositional phrase (second use — personal food)אֹכֶל (H400) 'food, nourishment'; from אָכַל 'to eat'; with 2mp suffix; personal food supply for those doing the agricultural work.
וְלַאֲשֶׁ֥רand for those whoconj וְ + prep לְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Purposive prepositional phrase (third use — household dependents)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; the phrase 'for those who are in your houses' refers to household dependents, extending the provision beyond the agricultural workers themselves.
בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֖םin your housesprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phrase (location of household dependents)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; with 2mp suffix; the household dependents who live within the family's living spaces and must also be fed.
וְלֶאֱכֹ֥לand for food forconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָכַל (H398)Purposive infinitive (fourth use — food for the little ones)→ Infinitive: expressing purpose — for the purpose of eatingאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the infinitive construct expresses purpose: 'for eating/food for'; the fourth allocation explicitly provides for the smallest and most dependent members of the household.
לְטַפְּכֶֽםyour little onesprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · טַף (H2945)Indirect object of the infinitive (those to be fed)טַף (H2945) 'little ones, children, dependents'; with 2mp suffix; the same word used in v. 12 for the household dependents Joseph was feeding; the provision is scaled to include even the youngest and most vulnerable.
25

וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ הֶחֱיִתָ֑נוּ נִמְצָא חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י וְהָיִ֥ינוּ עֲבָדִ֖ים לְפַרְעֹֽה

And they said, 'You have kept us alive. May we find favor in the eyes of my lord, and we will be servants to Pharaoh.'

The people acknowledge that Joseph has kept them aliveוַיֹּאמְרוּ
Their response interprets the policy through survival and favor, accepting servitude as preferable to death.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּand they saidWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing the people's response→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the people's response is brief but theologically significant: they interpret the entire exchange through the lens of life-preservation.
הֶחֱיִתָ֑נוּyou have kept us aliveHiphil perf 2ms + 1cp suffix · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb (the central acclamation)חָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; Hiphil causative 'to cause to live, keep alive'; the people acclaim Joseph as the one who saved their lives; despite the loss of land and status, survival is the framework of their response.
נִמְצָאmay we findNiphal impf 1cp · מָצָא (H4672)Jussive/imperfect of wish (expressing the people's desire)→ Yiqtol: modal/volitional — expressing the people's hope or wishמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal 'to be found'; the idiom מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי 'to find favor in the eyes of' is the standard biblical expression for receiving positive regard from a superior.
חֵן֙favorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct object of נִמְצָא (what they hope to find)חֵן (H2580) 'grace, favor, charm'; from חָנַן 'to be gracious'; the people's petition for continued favor acknowledges their new status as servants and their continued dependence on Joseph's goodwill.
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N f du constr · עַיִן (H5869)Locative prepositional phrase (idiom of perception/regard)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the idiom 'in the eyes of' refers to perception and assessment from the superior's perspective; finding favor 'in the eyes of my lord' means being regarded positively.
אֲדֹנִ֔יmy lordN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Genitive of בְּעֵינֵי (whose eyes they seek favor in)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; with 1cs suffix; the people address Joseph with the same deferential title used throughout their appeals; acknowledgment of his authority is embedded in their acclamation.
וְהָיִ֥ינוּand we will beWeqatal Qal 1cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal (consequential affirmation of their new status)→ Weqatal: sequential affirmation — we will be servantsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the weqatal expresses the consequential commitment: having been kept alive, they will be Pharaoh's servants.
עֲבָדִ֖יםservantsN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement of וְהָיִינוּ (their new status)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; the people accept the status they themselves proposed in v. 19; the term here echoes the language of Israel's brothers throughout the narrative as a deferential self-designation.
לְפַרְעֹֽהto Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Dative prepositional phrase (the lord of their servitude)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the ultimate authority they serve; the servitude is framed as a response to life-preservation, not coercion — the people embrace it as a choice made under duress.
26

וַיָּ֣שֶׂם אֹתָ֣הּ יוֹסֵ֡ף לְחֹק֩ עַד הַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֜ה עַל אַדְמַ֥ת מִצְרַ֛יִם לְפַרְעֹ֖ה לַחֹ֑מֶשׁ רַ֞ק אַדְמַ֤ת הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ לְבַדָּ֔ם לֹ֥א הָיְתָ֖ה לְפַרְעֹֽה

And Joseph made it a statute until this day over the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, that the fifth should be Pharaoh's. Only the land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh's.

Joseph makes the fifth a standing statute in Egyptוַיָּשֶׂם
Emergency management hardens into enduring law, with the priestly exception again preserved.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיָּ֣שֶׂםand he setWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (legislative action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a founding act of lawשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, establish'; Joseph's administrative decision hardens into a permanent legal statute; the famine response becomes the founding document of Egyptian agrarian law.
אֹתָ֣הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיָּשֶׂם (the arrangement made into statute)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix; refers to the entire famine arrangement (the fifth, the land purchase, the seed provision) as a unified statute.
יוֹסֵ֡ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיָּשֶׂםיוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph acts as the founding legislator of the Egyptian agrarian statute; his administrative authority is exercised at the highest institutional level.
לְחֹק֩as a statuteprep לְ + N m sg abs · חֹק (H2706)Predicate prepositional phrase (the nature of what was established)חֹק (H2706) 'statute, fixed ordinance'; the arrangement is not merely a temporary policy but a חֹק — a permanent, binding ordinance with legal force.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration of the statute)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as, up to'; introduces the temporal limit of the statute's applicability — 'until this day' suggests the narrator's own time.
הַיּ֨וֹםthis dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal object of עַד (duration reference point)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article; 'until this day' is a biblical formula marking the narrator's present as the point to which a historical institution endures.
הַזֶּ֜ה[this]art + demonstrative m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; with article; הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה 'this day' is the standard formula for a historical note that the narrator's audience can verify from their own experience.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of scope (the domain of the statute)עַל (H5921) 'over, upon, concerning'; marks the geographic scope of the statute — it applies over the land of Egypt.
אַדְמַ֥תthe land ofN f sg constr · אֲדָמָה (H127)Construct head of the scope phraseאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, agricultural land'; in construct; the statute applies to the agricultural lands of Egypt.
מִצְרַ֛יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of אַדְמַת (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the geographic scope of the statute; it applies to Egypt's entire agricultural territory.
לְפַרְעֹ֖הfor Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Dative prepositional phrase (the ultimate beneficiary of the statute)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the statute formally establishes and perpetuates Pharaoh's claim to the agricultural fifth; royal ownership is codified into permanent law.
לַחֹ֑מֶשׁfor the fifthart + N m sg abs · חֹמֶשׁ (H2569)Predicate prepositional phrase (the content of the statute)חֹמֶשׁ (H2569) 'fifth part, one-fifth'; the technical term for the 20% royal agricultural tax; the statute is specifically defined as the obligation to give a fifth to Pharaoh at every harvest.
רַ֞קonlyadverbial particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb (second exception clause)רַק (H7535) 'only, except'; the restrictive particle introduces the repeated exception for the priests' land; the statute's scope is universal except for this one class.
אַדְמַ֤תthe land ofN f sg constr · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subject of לֹא הָיְתָה (construct head)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, agricultural land'; in construct; the priests' agricultural land is the subject of the exception clause.
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙the priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Genitive of אַדְמַת (construct chain)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; with article; the priestly class whose land was exempt from the statute as established in v. 22.
לְבַדָּ֔םaloneprep לְ + N m sg abs + 3mp suffix · בַּד (H905)Adverbial phrase (the exclusivity of the exception)בַּד (H905) 'separation, apart, alone'; לְבַדָּם 'alone, by themselves'; the priests' land alone is excepted; no other group enjoyed this exemption.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating the statute's application to priestly land)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the statute's application is negated with respect to the priests' land; they were not subject to the royal fifth.
הָיְתָ֖הbecameQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (the priests' land did not become Pharaoh's)→ Perfective: completed institutional state — the priestly land remained outside royal ownershipהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; fs agrees with אַדְמַת; the priests' land 'did not become Pharaoh's' — the verb of becoming signals the change in status that the priests' land was exempt from.
לְפַרְעֹֽהPharaoh'sprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Predicate prepositional phrase (the status it did not attain)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the priests' land did not become 'for Pharaoh' — it remained in priestly possession; the chapter's account of Egyptian social order is complete with this closing exception.
27

וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ גֹּ֑שֶׁן וַיֵּאָחֲז֣וּ בָ֔הּ וַיִּפְר֥וּ וַיִּרְבּ֖וּ מְאֹֽד

And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they got a holding in it and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.

Israel settles, gains holding, and multiplies greatly in Goshenוַיֵּשֶׁב
Against Egypt’s deepening dependency, the covenant family thrives and multiplies within the land of refuge.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֵּ֧שֶׁבand Israel dweltWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause — return to the Israel thread)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, settle'; the narrative shifts from the Egyptian famine administration back to Israel's own experience in Goshen; the verb of dwelling signals established residence.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיֵּשֶׁביִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) the covenant name of Jacob; the shift from 'Jacob' to 'Israel' here is theologically significant — it is the covenant people who are settling and multiplying in Egypt.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (the region of settlement)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; specifies Egypt as the general territory of settlement.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the first אֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the general country within which Goshen is the specific region; Israel's settlement is noted within the context of Egypt as a whole.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (specific district)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; the second locative phrase specifies the particular district within Egypt.
גֹּ֑שֶׁןGoshenProper noun · גֹּשֶׁן (H1657)Genitive of the second אֶרֶץ (specific district named)גֹּשֶׁן (H1657) the district of Goshen; the promised and granted settlement region; Israel's residence in Goshen is the fulfillment of the request in v. 4 and the grant in v. 6.
וַיֵּאָחֲז֣וּand they took holdWayyiqtol Niphal 3mp · אָחַז (H270)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (gaining possession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָחַז (H270) 'to seize, hold, take possession'; Niphal reflexive: 'to gain a hold, establish themselves'; the Niphal implies Israel's active acquisition of a holding in Goshen; they are not merely assigned but take root.
בָ֔הּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixLocative prepositional phrase (the land held in)Prepositional phrase בָּהּ 'in it'; the 3fs suffix refers to אֶרֶץ גֹּשֶׁן; Israel's holding is established within the Goshen district specifically.
וַיִּפְר֥וּand they were fruitfulWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · פָּרָה (H6509)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (first blessing term)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּרָה (H6509) 'to be fruitful, bear fruit'; the first of the creation/covenant blessing terms (Gen 1:28, 9:1); Israel's growth echoes the original blessing and the patriarchal covenant promises.
וַיִּרְבּ֖וּand they multipliedWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · רָבָה (H7235)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second blessing term)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָבָה (H7235) 'to multiply, increase greatly'; the second term of the creation/covenant blessing; the pairing פָּרָה וְרָבָה appears in Gen 1:22, 1:28, 9:7, 35:11 — Israel's growth in Egypt is presented as covenant fulfillment.
מְאֹֽדgreatlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier (degree of multiplication)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly, greatly'; the intensifier amplifies רָבָה to 'multiplied greatly'; the remarkable growth in Egypt despite the famine underscores covenant faithfulness paradoxically working through the exile.
28

וַיְחִ֤י יַעֲקֹב֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם שְׁבַ֥ע עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה וַיְהִ֤י יְמֵֽי יַעֲקֹב֙ שְׁנֵ֣י חַיָּ֔יו שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָֽה

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were one hundred and forty-seven years.

Jacob’s remaining years in Egypt and full lifespan are totaledוַיְחִי
The narrative slows into retrospective count, preparing the transition from life in Goshen to deathbed instruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְחִ֤יand Jacob livedWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · חָיָה (H2421)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (summary opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; the wayyiqtol opens Jacob's final biographical summary with the standard patriarchal formula for recording longevity in a specific location.
יַעֲקֹב֙JacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיְחִייַעֲקֹב (H3290); the name Jacob is used rather than Israel for the biographical summary; the patriarch's years in Egypt and total lifespan are now reckoned.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (where he lived his final years)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct; specifies Egypt as the location of Jacob's remaining years.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of אֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; Jacob spent the last 17 years of his life in Egypt, the foreign land where he had sojourned at the end.
שְׁבַ֥עseventeencardinal numeral f abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Predicate numeral (years lived in Egypt)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; as part of the compound 'seventeen' — seven is the first component of the reckoning.
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה[teen]cardinal numeral f abs · עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240)Second component of compound numeral (seventeen = 10 + 7)עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240) 'teen, ten-and'; the teen marker completing 'seventeen'; Jacob lived 17 more years in Egypt, dying at age 147.
שָׁנָ֑הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Unit noun completing the numeral (17 years)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the unit noun; 17 years in Egypt, the final chapter of Jacob's pilgrimage life.
וַיְהִ֤יand they wereWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second biographical statement)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; introduces the total lifespan formula; the wayyiqtol here introduces the cumulative reckoning of Jacob's full years.
יְמֵֽיthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of וַיְהִי (construct head of the lifespan formula)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; in construct; the 'days-of-Jacob' formula echoes Pharaoh's question in v. 8 and Jacob's answer in v. 9; now the narrator provides the complete total.
יַעֲקֹב֙JacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive of יְמֵי (construct chain, whose days)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); the total lifespan is attributed to Jacob; the full biographical formula includes the total years and the dual construct 'years of his life.'
שְׁנֵ֣יthe years ofN m du constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive of יְמֵי (medial construct, lifespan formula)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; in construct; the dual construct form links days to years in the standard patriarchal lifespan formula.
חַיָּ֔יוhis lifeN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · חַי (H2416)Genitive of שְׁנֵי (innermost genitive)חַי (H2416) 'life'; with 3ms suffix; the complete formula 'the days of Jacob, the years of his life' presents the full biographical reckoning.
שֶׁ֣בַעsevencardinal numeral f abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Predicate numeral (first component of total age)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; the first component of Jacob's total age of 147 years.
שָׁנִ֔יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Unit noun with the first component numeralשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; plural; with שֶׁבַע forms 'seven years' as the first component of the compound total.
וְאַרְבָּעִ֥יםand fortyconj וְ + cardinal numeral m pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Coordinated numeral (second component of compound total)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the second component; Jacob's total age = 7 + 40 + 100 = 147 years.
וּמְאַ֖תand a hundredconj וּ + N f sg constr · מֵאָה (H3967)Coordinated numeral (third component of compound total)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; construct form מְאַת; the third component giving the total of 147 years; the same formula used in v. 9 (130 years) now gives the final total.
שָׁנָֽהyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Unit noun completing the compound total (147 years)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the unit noun completing the total lifespan; Jacob lived 147 years — less than Abraham (175) and Isaac (180), as he himself noted in v. 9.
29

וַיִּקְרְב֣וּ יְמֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֘ל לָמוּת֒ וַיִּקְרָ֣א לִבְנ֣וֹ לְיוֹסֵ֗ף וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אִם נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ שִֽׂים נָ֥א יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֣חַת יְרֵכִ֑י וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ עִמָּדִי֙ חֶ֣סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֔ת אַל נָ֥א תִקְבְּרֵ֖נִי בְּמִצְרָֽיִם

And the days of Israel drew near to die, and he called his son Joseph and said to him, 'If now I have found favor in your eyes, place your hand, please, under my thigh, and deal with me in covenant loyalty and truth. Please do not bury me in Egypt.'

Jacob summons Joseph and demands burial fidelity beyond Egyptוַיִּקְרְבוּ
As death approaches, Jacob’s concern is not provision but covenant loyalty that will carry his body back to the fathers.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַיִּקְרְב֣וּand drew nearWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · קָרַב (H7126)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; the plural verb with 'the days of Israel' as subject; the days approaching death is a idiom for imminent mortality.
יְמֵֽיthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of וַיִּקְרְבוּ (construct head)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; in construct; 'the days drew near' is an idiom meaning the appointed time approached; the days are personified as the agents of the approach to death.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֘לIsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of יְמֵי (construct chain, whose days)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant name is used here as Jacob approaches death; the name Israel marks the moment as one of covenant significance for the family and its future.
לָמוּת֒to dieprep לְ + Qal inf constr · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive of purpose/proximity (approaching for the purpose of dying)→ Infinitive: expressing the approaching terminal purposeמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the infinitive construct expresses the purpose or trajectory: the days drew near 'to die' — the idiomatic expression for drawing near to death.
וַיִּקְרָ֣אand he calledWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the summons)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; Jacob summons Joseph in preparation for the oath request; the call is a formal act initiating the deathbed scene.
לִבְנ֣וֹto his sonprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object (the one summoned, identified by relationship)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with 3ms suffix; Joseph is identified by his filial relationship before being named; the relationship frames the significance of the oath to follow.
לְיוֹסֵ֗ףto Josephprep לְ + proper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Appositive to לִבְנוֹ (naming the son)יוֹסֵף (H3130); the son named is Joseph; he is the only son capable of fulfilling the burial oath given his position of power in Egypt.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Jacob's deathbed speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens Jacob's solemn address to Joseph; the content is one of the most formally significant speeches of the patriarchal narratives.
לוֹ֙to himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object of וַיֹּאמֶרPrepositional phrase לוֹ 'to him'; refers to Joseph as the addressee of Jacob's deathbed instruction.
אִםifconditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional introducing the petition formulaאִם (H518) 'if'; the opening of the formal petition formula 'if I have found favor in your eyes'; the conditional framing is a conventional expression of deference even between father and son.
נָ֨אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (softening the conditional)נָא (H4994) 'please, I pray'; the particle of polite entreaty accompanying the petition; even the patriarch uses deferential speech forms when making a weighty request.
מָצָ֤אתִיI have foundQal perf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Perfective in conditional protasis: if I have found/should have foundמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the perfect in the conditional protasis: 'if I have found favor in your eyes'; the idiom expresses a hoped-for positive relationship between petitioner and recipient.
חֵן֙favorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct object of מָצָאתִי (what has been found)חֵן (H2580) 'grace, favor'; the object of the finding; חֵן בְּעֵינֵי is the standard idiom for being favorably regarded; Jacob invokes this formula with his own son.
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָin your eyesprep בְּ + N f du constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Locative prepositional phrase (the standard of favor)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the idiom 'in your eyes' — in your sight, in your assessment; Joseph's favorable regard is the condition for the oath request.
שִֽׂיםplaceQal impv 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Imperative (the main request in the apodosis)→ Volitional: imperative — the specific act of oath-taking requestedשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, place'; the imperative is the concrete act requested: place your hand under my thigh; the thigh-oath gesture is a solemn patriarchal covenant form (Gen 24:2, 9).
נָ֥אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (accompanying the imperative)נָא (H4994) 'please'; the second occurrence of נָא reinforces the earnestness of the deathbed request.
יָדְךָ֖your handN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Direct object of שִׂים (the hand placed under the thigh)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; with 2ms suffix; the specific body part placed under the thigh in the ancient oath gesture, suggesting proximity to the seat of procreation/descendants.
תַּ֣חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Positional prepositional phrase (the location of the hand)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; marks the position of the placed hand — under the thigh; the gesture emphasizes solemnity and the oath's binding character.
יְרֵכִ֑יmy thighN f sg constr + 1cs suffix · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Genitive of תַּחַת (the body part under which the hand is placed)יָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh, loin'; the thigh-oath occurs in Gen 24:2; the gesture may invoke the oath by the descendants who will come from the patriarch, binding the swearer to family loyalty.
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָand dealWeqatal Qal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal (sequential request following the oath gesture)→ Weqatal: sequential obligation — then deal with me in loyaltyעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, deal'; the weqatal expresses the consequential action required: having placed the hand, 'deal with me in חֶסֶד and אֱמֶת.'
עִמָּדִי֙with meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5978)Comitative prepositional phrase (the relationship of the action)עִם (H5978) 'with'; the preposition used with עָשָׂה חֶסֶד 'to deal with' in covenant loyalty language; the request is for personal covenant fidelity extended to Jacob.
חֶ֣סֶדloyal loveN m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Direct object of וְעָשִׂיתָ (first quality requested)חֶסֶד (H2617) 'steadfast love, loyal kindness, covenant fidelity'; the richest covenant word in biblical Hebrew; it encompasses loyalty, love, and obligation within a relational bond.
וֶאֱמֶ֔תand faithfulnessconj וְ + N f sg abs · אֱמֶת (H571)Coordinated direct object (second quality requested)אֱמֶת (H571) 'truth, faithfulness, reliability'; from the root אָמַן 'to be firm'; the pairing חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת is a classic biblical hendiadys for 'loyal and faithful action'; together they describe covenant behavior at its most trustworthy.
אַלplease notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negative particle (negating the following jussive)אַל (H408) 'not' (volitional); used with jussives and imperatives to negate requests; אַל נָא introduces an urgent negative petition.
נָ֥אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (softening the negative petition)נָא (H4994) 'please'; with אַל: 'please do not'; the combination אַל נָא is a deeply earnest negative petition, appropriate to a deathbed request.
תִקְבְּרֵ֖נִיbury meQal jussive 2ms + 1cs suffix · קָבַר (H6912)Predicate of the negated petition (the act forbidden)קָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; the specific act negated: 'do not bury me in Egypt'; burial in Egypt would mean Jacob's body rests permanently in a foreign land, cut off from the ancestral burial site.
בְּמִצְרָֽיִםin Egyptprep בְּ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phrase (forbidden burial location)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the place where Jacob must not be buried; burial in Egypt would symbolically break the link between Jacob's body and the ancestral promises centered in Canaan.
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וְשָֽׁכַבְתִּי֙ עִם אֲבֹתַ֔י וּנְשָׂאתַ֨נִי֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם וּקְבַרְתַּ֖נִי בִּקְבֻרָתָ֑ם וַיֹּאמַ֕ר אָנֹכִ֖י אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה כִדְבָרֶֽךָ

'And let me lie with my fathers, and you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.' And he said, 'I will do according to your word.'

Jacob asks to be carried out of Egypt and buried with his fathers, and Joseph agreesוְשָׁכַבְתִּי
The request directs Israel’s memory and belonging away from Egypt toward ancestral burial in the promised land.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְשָֽׁכַבְתִּי֙when I lie downWeqatal Qal 1cs · שָׁכַב (H7901)Weqatal (expressing the condition — when I die)→ Weqatal: sequential — when I have lain with my fathers (idiom for death)שָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down, sleep, lie with'; the euphemism שָׁכַב עִם אֲבֹתַי 'to lie with my fathers' is the standard idiom for death in the patriarchal narratives.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Comitative prepositional phrase (the idiom of dying)עִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; the preposition in the idiom 'lie with my fathers' marking solidarity even in death with the ancestral line.
אֲבֹתַ֔יmy fathersN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · אָב (H1)Object of עִם (the idiom for joining the dead)אָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 1cs suffix; Jacob's death is framed as joining the ancestral community — Abraham, Isaac — in death as in faith.
וּנְשָׂאתַ֨נִי֙you shall carry meWeqatal Qal 2ms + 1cs suffix · נָשָׂא (H5375)Weqatal (the first obligation of the oath)→ Weqatal: sequential obligation — carry me out of Egyptנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the weqatal expresses the first concrete obligation of the burial oath: carry Jacob's body out of Egypt.
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Ablative prepositional phrase (origin of the body's removal)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) Egypt; the place from which the body must be carried; the removal from Egypt is a symbolic act asserting that Jacob's true home is Canaan.
וּקְבַרְתַּ֖נִיand bury meWeqatal Qal 2ms + 1cs suffix · קָבַר (H6912)Weqatal (the second obligation of the oath)→ Weqatal: sequential obligation — bury me in the ancestral burial placeקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; the second obligation: not only remove the body from Egypt but bury it in the specific ancestral location.
בִּקְבֻרָתָ֑םin their burial placeprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · קְבוּרָה (H6900)Locative prepositional phrase (the required burial location)קְבוּרָה (H6900) 'burial place, grave, tomb'; with 3mp suffix referring to the fathers; the Machpelah cave near Hebron (Gen 23) where Abraham and Isaac are buried.
וַיֹּאמַ֕רand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (Joseph's response)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph's immediate response to his father's deathbed request; the reply is brief and decisive.
אָנֹכִ֖יI myselfindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of the following verb (emphatic pronoun)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the emphatic independent pronoun; Joseph's use of אָנֹכִי rather than אֲנִי stresses the personal commitment: 'I myself will do it.'
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥הwill doQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (Joseph's commitment)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — a volitional commitment to future actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, act, perform'; the imperfect with first-person subject expresses commitment to fulfill the request; simple and unqualified.
כִדְבָרֶֽךָaccording to your wordprep כְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · דָּבָר (H1697)Prepositional phrase of conformity (standard of the action)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; with 2ms suffix; 'according to your word' — Joseph commits to act precisely as Jacob has requested; the phrase is a standard formula of full compliance.
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וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִשָּֽׁבְעָה֙ לִ֔י וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע ל֑וֹ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַל רֹ֥אשׁ הַמִּטָּֽה

And he said, 'Swear to me.' And he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself at the head of the bed.

Jacob requires an oath, and Israel bows in worshipful closureוַיֹּאמֶר
The sworn promise seals the request, and Israel’s final gesture closes the narrative in reverence and trust.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Jacob's final demand→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob is not satisfied with a verbal promise alone; he presses for a sworn oath to seal the commitment.
הִשָּֽׁבְעָה֙swear to meNiphal impv 2ms + cohortative ה · שָׁבַע (H7650)Imperative (Jacob's demand for a formal oath)→ Volitional: imperative — Jacob demands a sworn oathשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear, take an oath'; Niphal imperative; the cohortative ה adds urgency; Jacob insists that Joseph's word be reinforced by a sworn oath — the highest level of commitment available.
לִ֔יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixDative prepositional phrase (for whom the oath is sworn)Prepositional phrase לִי 'to me'; Jacob is the beneficiary and recipient of the sworn oath; the 1cs suffix establishes the personal dimension of the binding commitment.
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖עand he sworeWayyiqtol Niphal 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the oath taken)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive act of oath-takingשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear, take an oath'; Niphal; Joseph complies immediately and formally; the oath binds him to carry out the burial request no matter what circumstances arise.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixDative prepositional phrase (the one to whom the oath is made)Prepositional phrase לוֹ 'to him'; Jacob is the recipient of Joseph's oath; the brief narrative of oath-taking is compressed into a single verb and its recipient.
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּand he bowedWayyiqtol Hishtaphel 3ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the final gesture)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chapter's closing gestureשָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself, worship'; the Hishtaphel (reflexive of Hiphil); the gesture is one of reverence and worship; whether Jacob bows in gratitude to God or in dignified posture toward Joseph has been debated — the context suggests reverent worship, not servility.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant name Israel is used for the chapter's final gesture; the patriarch bows as Israel — the covenant community's progenitor — at the head of the bed, closing the chapter in reverence.
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (position of bowing)עַל (H5921) 'upon, at, toward'; marks the specific position where Israel bowed; 'at the head of the bed' describes the posture of a man who cannot rise but still performs a formal act of reverence.
רֹ֥אשׁthe head ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Construct head of the locative phraseרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, top, beginning'; in construct; 'the head of the bed' refers to the upper end of the couch or bed where the patriarch lay; bowing there is a formal act performed from a position of weakness.
הַמִּטָּֽהthe bedart + N f sg abs · מִטָּה (H4296)Genitive of רֹאשׁ (construct chain)מִטָּה (H4296) 'bed, couch, bier'; with article; the deathbed of the patriarch; Heb 11:21 alludes to this verse, reading 'staff' (מַטֶּה) for 'bed' (מִטָּה) from the LXX tradition; the MT reads 'bed' and the image is of a dying man bowing from his sickbed in an act of faith.