Genesis 47:23-26

47:23 Joseph said to the people, “Since I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you. Cultivate ¹  the land. 47:24 When you gather in the crop, ²  give ³  one-fifth of it to Pharaoh, and the rest ⁴  will be yours for seed for the fields and for you to eat, including those in your households and your little children.” 47:25 They replied, “You have saved our lives! You are showing us favor, ⁵  and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.” ⁶ 

47:26 So Joseph made it a statute, ⁷  which is in effect ⁸  to this day throughout the land of Egypt: One-fifth belongs to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh’s.

[47:23]  ¹ tn The perfect verbal form with the vav consecutive is equivalent to a command here.

[47:24]  ² tn The words “the crop” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[47:24]  ³ tn The perfect form with the vav (ו) consecutive is equivalent to an imperfect of instruction here.

[47:24]  ⁴ tn Heb “four parts.”

[47:25]  ⁵ tn Heb “we find favor in the eyes of my lord.” Some interpret this as a request, “may we find favor in the eyes of my lord.”

[47:25]  ⁶ sn Slaves. See the note on this word in v. 21.

[47:26]  ⁷ tn On the term translated “statute” see P. Victor, “A Note on Hoq in the Old Testament,” VT 16 (1966): 358-61.

[47:26]  ⁸ tn The words “which is in effect” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.