And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
Parallel translations
- WEB Joseph said, “Give me your livestock; and I will give you food for your livestock, if your money is gone.”
- BSB “Then bring me your livestock,” said Joseph. “Since the money is gone, I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock.”
- NKJV Then Joseph said, “Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.”
- NASB Then Joseph said, “Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone.”
- NLT Joseph replied, “Since your money is gone, bring me your livestock. I will give you food in exchange for your livestock.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joseph offers to exchange bread for the people's livestock. He provides for them as their resources dwindle.
Overview
When money fails, Joseph accepts livestock in trade for grain, continuing to sustain the people. His arrangement is firm yet provides genuine relief in a dire crisis. The scene illustrates wise and merciful administration that preserves life through years of hardship.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 1 Cor 10:32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
- Phil 4:8Finally, 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.
- Dan 6:5–7Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
- Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- Prov 12:17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 47:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.