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Genesis 47:18 - Desperation leads to total surrender

Genesis 47:18 - בראשית 47:18

Hebrew Text

וַתִּתֹּם הַשָּׁנָה הַהִוא וַיָּבֹאוּ אֵלָיו בַּשָּׁנָה הַשֵּׁנִית וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ לֹא־נְכַחֵד מֵאֲדֹנִי כִּי אִם־תַּם הַכֶּסֶף וּמִקְנֵה הַבְּהֵמָה אֶל־אֲדֹנִי לֹא נִשְׁאַר לִפְנֵי אֲדֹנִי בִּלְתִּי אִם־גְּוִיָּתֵנוּ וְאַדְמָתֵנוּ׃

English Translation

When that year was ended, they came to him in the second year, and said to him, We will not hide from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also has our herds of cattle; there is nothing left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:

Transliteration

Vatitom hashanah hahi vayavo'u elav bashanah hashenit vayomru lo lo-nechached me'adoni ki im-tam hakesef umikneh habehemah el-adoni lo nish'ar lifnei adoni bilti im-gviyateinu ve'admateinu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּתֹּם֮ הַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַהִוא֒ וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ אֵלָ֜יו בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשֵּׁנִ֗ית וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לוֹ֙ לֹֽא־נְכַחֵ֣ד מֵֽאֲדֹנִ֔י כִּ֚י אִם־תַּ֣ם הַכֶּ֔סֶף וּמִקְנֵ֥ה הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֑י לֹ֤א נִשְׁאַר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י בִּלְתִּ֥י אִם־גְּוִיָּתֵ֖נוּ וְאַדְמָתֵֽנוּ׃
וַתִּתֹּם֮ הַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַהִוא֒ וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ אֵלָ֜יו בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשֵּׁנִ֗ית וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לוֹ֙ לֹֽא־נְכַחֵ֣ד מֵֽאֲדֹנִ֔י כִּ֚י אִם־תַּ֣ם הַכֶּ֔סֶף וּמִקְנֵ֥ה הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֑י לֹ֤א נִשְׁאַר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י בִּלְתִּ֥י אִם־גְּוִיָּתֵ֖נוּ וְאַדְמָתֵֽנוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 47:18) appears in the narrative of Yosef's governance during the years of famine in Egypt. After the first year of famine, the Egyptians exhausted their money to buy grain from Yosef. In the second year, they returned, having spent all their wealth and livestock, leaving only their bodies and land as collateral.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וַתִּתֹּם הַשָּׁנָה הַהִוא" ("When that year was ended") refers to the completion of the first year of famine. The Egyptians came to Yosef in desperation, acknowledging that they had nothing left except their physical selves and their land. Rashi emphasizes that their admission—"לֹא־נְכַחֵד מֵאֲדֹנִי" ("We will not hide from my lord")—demonstrates their honesty in their dire situation, recognizing Yosef's authority as the distributor of food.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Matnot Aniyim 10:7) discusses the ethical implications of this narrative. Yosef's policy of requiring payment for grain during the famine was not exploitative but a structured system to sustain the people. The Egyptians' willingness to offer themselves and their land reflects the severity of the famine and their trust in Yosef's leadership to ensure their survival.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 90:6) highlights the humility of the Egyptians in admitting their poverty before Yosef, contrasting their earlier arrogance during times of plenty.
  • Another Midrash (Tanchuma, Vayigash 10) notes that Yosef's wisdom in managing the crisis ultimately preserved Egypt's stability, as he later provided seed for planting (Bereshit 47:23-24), ensuring their future prosperity.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Bava Metzia 39a) derives principles of fair economic conduct from this episode. Yosef's actions exemplify the balance between communal responsibility and individual accountability. While he required payment, he did so equitably, ensuring no one perished from hunger.

Spiritual Lessons

The verse teaches the importance of transparency in times of need ("לֹא־נְכַחֵד") and the value of trusting in divine providence, as Yosef's leadership was guided by Hashem's plan (Bereshit 45:5-7). The Egyptians' surrender of their possessions parallels the Jewish ideal of bitachon (trust in Hashem) during hardship.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 47:18?
A: In Genesis 47:18, the people of Egypt are speaking to Yosef (Joseph) during the famine. After using up their money and livestock to buy food, they now offer their land and themselves as servants in exchange for sustenance. This shows the severity of the famine and their desperation.
Q: Why did the people offer themselves and their land to Yosef?
A: According to Rashi and other commentaries, the famine was so severe that the people had exhausted all their resources—money and livestock—to buy food from Yosef. With nothing left, they offered their land and even their freedom (as servants) to Pharaoh in exchange for food, demonstrating their dire situation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 47:18?
A: This verse teaches the importance of preparation and wisdom in leadership. Yosef, as a righteous leader, had stored grain during the years of plenty to sustain the people during famine. It also highlights human vulnerability—even wealth and property can become worthless in extreme hardship, emphasizing reliance on Hashem.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish teachings about hardship?
A: The Talmud and Midrash often discuss how hardships test faith and resilience. Here, the people’s suffering led them to make extreme sacrifices, reminding us of the importance of trusting in Hashem’s plan, as Yosef’s leadership ultimately saved lives. The verse also underscores the Jewish value of tzedakah (charity) and helping those in need.
Q: What was Yosef's response to the people's offer in this verse?
A: In the following verses (Genesis 47:19-26), Yosef accepts their land for Pharaoh but does not enslave the people permanently. Instead, he allows them to work the land as tenants, giving a portion of their harvest to Pharaoh. This shows his compassion and wisdom in governance, balancing their needs with the kingdom’s stability.