Genesis 47 · Verse 16

Genesis 47:16

And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
Genesis 47:16, King James Version

Genesis 47:16 in other translations

BSB“Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.”
WEBJoseph said, “Give me your livestock; and I will give you food for your livestock, if your money is gone.”
ASVAnd Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
YLTand Joseph saith, ‘Give your cattle; and I give to you for your cattle, if the money hath ceased.'
DARBYAnd Joseph said, Give your cattle, and I will give you for your cattle, if your money be all gone.
BBEAnd Joseph said, Give me your cattle; I will give you grain in exchange for your cattle if your money is all gone.
WebsterAnd Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money hath failed.

What does Genesis 47:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. And Joseph said, Give your cattle--"This was the wisest course that could be adopted for the preservation both of the people and the cattle, which, being bought by Joseph, was supported at the royal expense, and very likely returned to the people at the end of the famine, to enable them to resume their agricultural labors."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 Give your cattle - This was the wisest measure that could be adopted, both for the preservation of the people and of the cattle also. As the people had not grain for their own sustenance, consequently they could have none for their cattle; hence the cattle were in the most imminent danger of starving; and the people also were in equal danger, as they must have divided a portion of that bought for themselves with the cattle, which for the sake of tillage, etc., they wished of course to preserve till the seven years of famine should end. The cattle being bought by Joseph were supported at the royal expense, and very likely returned to the people at the end of the famine; for how else could they cultivate their ground, transport their merchandise, etc., etc.? For this part of Joseph's conduct he certainly deserves high praise and no censure.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 47:13-26

Care being taken of Jacob and his family, which mercy was especially designed by Providence in Joseph's advancement, an account is given of the saving the kingdom of Egypt from ruin. There was no bread, and the people were ready to die. See how we depend upon God's providence. All our wealth would not keep us from starving, if rain were withheld for two or three years. See how much we are at God's mercy, and let us…

Read the full comment on Genesis 47:13-26 →

Genesis 47:16 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
יוֹסֵף֙yo.SefJosephH3130
הָב֣וּha.VugiveH3051
מִקְנֵיכֶ֔םmik.nei.Khemlivestock yourH4735
וְאֶתְּנָ֥הve.'e.te.Nahso let me give [it]H5414
לָכֶ֖םla.Khemto you
בְּמִקְנֵיכֶ֑םbe.mik.nei.Khemfor livestock yourH4735
אִם\־'im-ifH518
אָפֵ֖ס'a.Fesit has come to an endH656
כָּֽסֶף\׃Ka.sefmoneyH3701

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 47:16

  • Philippians 4:8

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:32

    Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

  • Proverbs 12:17

    He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

  • Colossians 4:5

    Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

  • Daniel 6:5-7

    Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Give your cattle.This was the wisest measure that could be adopted, both for the preservation of the people and the cattle. As the people had not grain for their own sustenance, consequently they could have none for their cattle: hence they were in the most imminent danger of starving; and the people also were in equal danger; as they must have divided a portion of that bought for themselves with the cattle, which, for the sake of tillage, etc., they wished of course to preserve till the seven years' famine should end.
Da 6:5-7; Pr 12:17; 1Co 10:32; Php 4:8; Col 4:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 47:15

    And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

  • Genesis 47:16

    And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.

  • Genesis 47:17

    And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.

Read all of Genesis 47

Genesis 47:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y José dijo: Dad vuestros ganados, y yo os daré por vuestros ganados, si se ha acabado el dinero.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Joseph dit: Donnez votre bétail, et je vous donnerai du pain contre votre bétail, si l’argent vous manque.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Joseph sprach: Gebet euer Vieh her, und ich will euch Brot geben um euer Vieh, wenn das Geld zu Ende ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quibus ille respondit: Adducite pecora vestra, et dabo vobis pro eis cibos, si pretium non habetis.