Genesis 47:20-26

47:21

[A.M. 2303. B.C. 1701.]

people <05971> [And as.]

It is highly probable, that Joseph was influenced by no political motive in removing the people to the cities, but merely by motives of prudence and humanity; for, as the corn was laid up in the cities, it would be more eligible to bring then from distant towns and villages to places where they might be more conveniently supplied with food.

<05892> [to cities.]

47:22

priests .... priests <03548> [of the priests. or, princes.]

priests .... priests <03548> [for the priests.]

47:23

bought <07069> [bought.]

seed <02233> [here is seed.]

47:24

one-fifth ..... Pharaoh <02549 06547> [the fifth part.]

47:25

lives <02421> [Thou hast.]

showing <04672> [let us.]

47:26

So ... made it ... statute <07760 02706> [made it a law.]

From this history, and from Diodorus Siculus (lib. i.), we learn that the land of Egypt was divided into three parts: one belonged to the Priests, (ver. 22, 26;) a second was the king's, (which appears to have been the land of Rameses, or Goshen, ver. 11;) the remainder was the subjects'. Now Joseph, having purchased the land of the people (ver. 19, 20), restored it, on the condition of their paying a fifth part of the produce to the king, beyond which he appears to have made no demand.

Only <07535> [except.]

priests <03548> [priests. or, princes.]