Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
Why should we die right in front of you, both us and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will serve Pharaoh. Give us seed to plant so we can live instead of dying, and so the land won't become empty and ruined.
The people are so desperate during the famine that they're willing to sell themselves and their land to Pharaoh just to survive.
📚 Historical Context
This verse occurs during a severe seven-year famine in ancient Egypt, as prophesied by Joseph, who had risen to power as Pharaoh's vizier after interpreting his dreams. The Egyptian people, facing starvation and having exhausted their resources, pleaded with Joseph to buy their land and themselves in exchange for food, leading to Pharaoh gaining control over the entire economy. This event highlights the desperation of the time and the centralization of power under Pharaoh's rule.
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