Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 47:22

"Only the land of the priests bought he not: for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them; wherefore they sold not their land." — Genesis 47:22 (ASV)

The priests had a portion assigned to them of Pharaoh. —Herodotus (ii. 37) mentions that it was still the custom in Egypt for the priests to have a daily allowance of cooked food. Very probably this usage began in Joseph’s time; but it is not here ascribed to him, but to the king himself. Being thus supplied with food, they did not sell their lands; and with this, again, the Greek accounts tally, as they represent the king, the priests, and the warriors as the only landholders in Egypt. The last class, however, held their land from the king.