Genesis 41:34

Genesis 41:34 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
• New International Version (NIV)Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years.

Context of Genesis 41:34

32Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been determined by God, and he will carry it out soon. 33“So now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this: Let him appoint overseers over the land and take a fifth of the harvest of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35Let them gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. Under Pharaoh’s authority, store the grain in the cities, so they may preserve it as food. 36The food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine that will take place in the land of Egypt. Then the country will not be wiped out by the famine.”

Genesis 41:34 word by word

יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה פַרְעֹ֔ה וְיַפְקֵ֥ד פְּקִדִ֖ים עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְחִמֵּשׁ֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בְּשֶׁ֖בַע שְׁנֵ֥י הַשָּׂבָֽע׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Let Pharaohפַּרְעֹהpar‛ôh · PharaohH6547
• doעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• and let him appointפָּקַדpâqad · to reckon: overseerH6485
• officersפָּקִידpâqîyd · overseerH6496
• over the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• and take up the fifth partחָמַשׁchâmash · to take the fifth partH2567
• of Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםmitsrayim · EgyptH4714
• in the sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• plenteousשָׂבָעώâbâ‛ · abundanceH7647
• yearsשָׁנָהshâneh shânâh · yearH8141

Cross-references for Genesis 41:34

• Numbers 31:14But Moses became furious with the officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, who were returning from the military campaign.
• 2 Kings 11:11Then the guards stood with their weapons in hand surrounding the king — from the right side of the temple to the left side, by the altar and by the temple.
• 2 Chronicles 34:12The men were doing the work with integrity. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites from the Merarites, and Zechariah and Meshullam from the Kohathites as supervisors. The Levites were all skilled with musical instruments.
• Nehemiah 11:9Joel son of Zichri was the officer over them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in command over the city.
• Job 5:20In famine he will redeem you from death, and in battle, from the power of the sword.
• Psalms 33:19to rescue them from death and to keep them alive in famine.
• Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.
• Proverbs 22:3A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.
• Proverbs 27:12A sensible person sees danger and takes cover; the inexperienced keep going and are punished.
• Luke 16:5“So he summoned each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master? ’ he asked the first one.

Commentaries on Genesis 41:34

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 34Let him appoint officers - פקדים pekidim, visitors, overseers: translated by Ainsworth, bishops; see Genesis 39:1. Take up the fifth part of the land - What is still called the meery, or that part of the produce which is claimed by the king by way of tax. It is probable that in Joseph's time it was not so much as a fifth part, most likely a tenth: but as this was an extraordinary occasion, and the earth brought forth by handfuls, Genesis 41:47, the king…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-57Verses 1-57 - Joseph Was Exalted 1. יאר ye'or “river, canal,” mostly applied to the Nile. Some suppose the word to be Coptic. 2. אחוּ 'āchû “sedge, reed-grass, marsh-grass.” This word is probably Coptic. 8. חרטמים charṭumı̂ym ̓̀ exēgētai ̔͂ hierogrammateis “sacred scribes, hieroglyphs.” חרט chereṭ “stylus,” a graving tool. 43. אברך 'abrēk “bend the knee.” In this sense it is put for הברך habrēk imperative hiphil of ברך bārak Those who take the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 33-45Verses 33-45 Joseph gave good advice to Pharaoh. Fair warning should always be followed by good counsel. God has in his word told us of a day of trial before us, when we shall need all the grace we can have. Now, therefore, provide accordingly. Pharaoh gave Joseph an honourable testimony. He is a man in whom the spirit of God is; and such men ought to be valued. Pharaoh puts upon Joseph marks of honour. He gave him such a name as spoke the value he had…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 33-36God’s message required a response. It was not given just to satisfy curiosity about the future. Joseph’s advice showed that he was wise and able to plan well. This is why Pharaoh chose him to lead (41:37–40). Joseph set up a system to store food. He placed one main leader over the work and local leaders in each area. He collected one-fifth (20 percent) of the grain and stored it for future needs. Later, wisdom literature (see study note on 37:2–50:26)…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3434. and let him appoint officers over the land--overseers, equivalent to the beys of modern Egypt. take up the fifth part of the land--that is, of the land's produce, to be purchased and stored by the government, instead of being sold to foreign corn merchants.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 41:34

• Dream
• Economics
• Government
• Joseph
• Prisoners
• Promotion
• Prudence
• Servant
• Tax
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Egypt
• Pharaoh
• Egypt, Egyptian
• Pharaoh, king of Egypt
• Appoint
• Array
• Cry
• Discreet
• Dungeon
• Empty

Commentaries on Genesis 41

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings