Genesis 45:6 - For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be no plowing and no harvest.

Generated Verse: Genesis 45:6

What does "Genesis 45:6" mean?


This verse from Genesis 45:6 is part of Joseph's revelation to his brothers in Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:

"For these two years the famine has been in the land..." This indicates that a severe shortage of food has already been plaguing the region for two years.

"...and there are yet five years, in which there will be no plowing and no harvest." This is the crucial part. It means that the famine is expected to continue for another five years, and during those years, conditions will be so severe that normal agricultural activities (plowing and harvesting) will be impossible. This could be due to:

Lack of rain: The most likely reason for no plowing or harvest would be a prolonged drought.
Infertile ground: The conditions may have caused the land to become too dry and unsuitable for planting, or for crops to grow to harvest.
Destruction/consumption of seeds: If people are desperate for food, they might consume seeds instead of planting them, leading to a future lack of harvest.

In essence, the verse describes a prolonged, devastating famine lasting a total of seven years (two past, five to come), with no immediate relief in sight.

This context is important because it sets the stage for Joseph's plan to save his family and the surrounding nations. As Joseph predicted the severity of the famine and prepared for it, he became the most important person in the land.

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