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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years.

Context of Genesis 41:34

32The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. 33“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined 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 31:14Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who returned from the battle.
• 2 Kings 11:11The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
• 2 Chronicles 34:12The workers labored faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites—all who were skilled in playing musical instruments—
• Nehemiah 11:9Joel son of Zikri was their chief officer, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the New Quarter of the city.
• Job 5:20In famine he will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.
• Psalms 33:19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
• Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
• Proverbs 22:3The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
• Proverbs 27:12The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
• Luke 16:5“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

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