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Then Joseph said to the people, "Behold, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Behold, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land.

Verse Takeaways

1

A Model of Just Leadership

Commentators like John Calvin praise Joseph's actions not as tyranny, but as "exceptional benevolence." By buying the land and then leasing it back for a fixed, moderate rent of one-fifth of the produce, Joseph established a fair and stable system. This act of "clemency" enriched the king without oppressing the people, serving as a timeless model for leaders to balance state interests with public welfare.

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Book Overview

Genesis

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Commentaries

5

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Genesis 47:1–31

18th Century

Theologian

רעמסס ra‘mesês — Ra‘meses “son of the sun.”

מטה mı̂ṭṭāh — “bed.” מטה maṭṭeh

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Genesis 47:23

19th Century

Bishop

Lo, here is seed for you. —As Joseph would give them seed with which to sow their fields only when the famine was nearly …

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Genesis 47:23

16th Century

Theologian

Then Joseph said unto the people. Here Moses describes the exceptional benevolence of Joseph, which, just as it then suppressed all compla…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Genesis 47:23

17th Century

Pastor

Then Joseph said unto the people
After he had bought their land, and before the removal of them to distant parts:

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Genesis 47:13–26

17th Century

Minister

With care taken for Jacob and his family���a mercy especially orchestrated by Providence through Joseph's advancement���the account now turns to ho…