Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
Joseph didn't buy the priests' land because the priests received a regular food allowance from Pharaoh. Since Pharaoh provided for them, they didn't need to sell their land.
The writer is explaining that the Egyptian priests kept their land because Pharaoh took care of their needs, so they didn't have to sell it for food during the famine.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Joseph, who had risen to become the second-in-command in Egypt, was managing the distribution of food during a devastating famine that affected the region. As part of his economic plan, he collected payments and acquired land from the Egyptian people in exchange for grain, but he exempted the priests' land because Pharaoh directly provided for them as a privileged class. This reflects the ancient Egyptian society's structure, where the priesthood held a protected and honored position supported by the ruler.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.