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Genesis 47:23 - Yosef sustains Egypt wisely

Genesis 47:23 - בראשית 47:23

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל־הָעָם הֵן קָנִיתִי אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם וְאֶת־אַדְמַתְכֶם לְפַרְעֹה הֵא־לָכֶם זֶרַע וּזְרַעְתֶּם אֶת־הָאֲדָמָה׃

English Translation

Then Yosef said to the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Par῾o: lo, here is grain for you, and you shall sow the land.

Transliteration

Vayomer Yosef el-ha'am hen kaniti etchem hayom ve'et-admatchem le-Faroh he-lachem zera uzaratem et-ha'adamah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ אֶל־הָעָ֔ם הֵן֩ קָנִ֨יתִי אֶתְכֶ֥ם הַיּ֛וֹם וְאֶת־אַדְמַתְכֶ֖ם לְפַרְעֹ֑ה הֵֽא־לָכֶ֣ם זֶ֔רַע וּזְרַעְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הָאֲדָמָֽה׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ אֶל־הָעָ֔ם הֵן֩ קָנִ֨יתִי אֶתְכֶ֥ם הַיּ֛וֹם וְאֶת־אַדְמַתְכֶ֖ם לְפַרְעֹ֑ה הֵֽא־לָכֶ֣ם זֶ֔רַע וּזְרַעְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הָאֲדָמָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Narrative

This verse (Bereshit 47:23) occurs during the years of famine in Egypt, when Yosef, as viceroy, implements a system where the Egyptian people trade their land and freedom for grain. Rashi explains that Yosef acted with wisdom and fairness, ensuring the people's survival while consolidating Pharaoh's control in a structured manner.

Yosef's Leadership and Compassion

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 90:5) highlights Yosef's dual role as both a ruler and a compassionate leader. Though he acquired the people and their land for Pharaoh, he immediately provided them with seed to replant—ensuring their future sustenance. Ramban notes that Yosef's actions were not exploitative but rather a pragmatic solution to prevent chaos during the famine.

The Legal and Ethical Dimensions

  • Ownership and Stewardship: The Talmud (Kiddushin 22b) discusses how Yosef's acquisition followed halachic principles of property transfer, treating the transaction as valid but temporary—since the land would eventually revert during the Yovel (Jubilee) year (Vayikra 25:10).
  • Providing for the People: Sforno emphasizes that Yosef's distribution of seed demonstrated his concern for the people's welfare, ensuring they could regain self-sufficiency rather than remain permanently dependent.

Spiritual Implications

The Kli Yakar interprets this episode as a lesson in hashgacha pratit (divine providence). Yosef's actions, though seemingly political, fulfilled the divine plan of positioning Bnei Yisrael in Goshen—setting the stage for their eventual enslavement and redemption, as foretold to Avraham (Bereshit 15:13).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Yosef mean when he says 'I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh'?
A: According to Rashi, Yosef was explaining that during the famine, the Egyptian people had sold themselves and their land to Pharaoh in exchange for food. This was part of Yosef's economic plan to manage the famine crisis while ensuring the people's survival.
Q: Why did Yosef provide seed to the people after buying their land?
A: The Ramban explains that Yosef acted with wisdom and compassion. After securing the land for Pharaoh, he immediately provided seed so the people could resume farming. This shows Yosef's concern for their welfare and his understanding that the land would be worthless if not cultivated.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's actions in this verse?
A: The Midrash teaches that Yosef demonstrates proper leadership - balancing the needs of the ruler (Pharaoh) with compassion for the people. He solved the immediate food crisis while creating a sustainable system for the future. This teaches us the importance of both foresight and kindness when helping others.
Q: How does this verse relate to the Jewish view of property ownership?
A: The Talmud (Nedarim 28a) discusses how this episode shows that ultimately all land belongs to Hashem, who gives it to whom He chooses. While people may have temporary ownership, everything is under Divine providence, as seen when the Egyptians' land returned to Pharaoh's control.
Q: Why is it significant that Yosef mentions 'this day' in his statement?
A: Rashi notes that 'this day' emphasizes the immediacy and finality of the transaction. It teaches that when making important agreements or taking responsibility for others (as Yosef did for the Egyptians), one should act decisively and not delay matters of importance.