Genesis 41:49 - Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.

Generated Verse: Genesis 41:49

What does "Genesis 41:49" mean?


Genesis 41:49 describes the vast amount of grain that Joseph collected in Egypt during the seven years of abundance, as he had interpreted Pharaoh's dream. Let's break down what the verse means:

"Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much..." This uses a simile (comparing grain to sand) to emphasize the sheer quantity of grain stored. The phrase "very much" reinforces the idea that the amount was incredibly large.

"...until he stopped counting..." This implies that Joseph initially tried to keep track of the amount of grain collected. However, the volume became so immense that counting became impractical or impossible.

"...for it was without number." This concludes the idea that the grain's quantity was beyond measure. It was so vast that it couldn't be accurately calculated or quantified.

In essence, the verse means:

Joseph collected such a tremendous amount of grain during the years of plenty that it was virtually impossible to count. The volume was like the uncountable grains of sand on a seashore, highlighting the scale of the abundance and Joseph's successful preparation for the coming famine.

Significance:

God's Provision: The immense harvest demonstrates God's provision and abundance in blessing the land of Egypt during those years.
Joseph's Wisdom: It highlights Joseph's wisdom and administrative abilities in managing the storage and distribution of the grain. His foresight saved Egypt and the surrounding nations from starvation.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: The abundance sets the stage for the famine and the subsequent events that lead to Jacob and his family migrating to Egypt, fulfilling a long-term prophecy.

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