Genesis 47:12 - Joseph nourished his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.

Generated Verse: Genesis 47:12

What does "Genesis 47:12" mean?


This verse from Genesis 47:12 describes Joseph's act of providing for his family during the famine in Egypt. Let's break it down:

"Joseph nourished his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household...": This establishes who Joseph was caring for: his father Jacob (also called Israel), his brothers, and all the members of their families (wives, children, servants, etc.).

"...with bread...": This specifies the means of sustenance: bread. Bread was a staple food, representing the fundamental provision needed to survive. Joseph was ensuring they had enough to eat.

"...according to their families.": This is the most important part. It means that Joseph distributed the food not equally to each person, but according to the needs of each family. He took into account the size of each family (number of members) and presumably, any other special needs they might have had (like young children or the elderly). This highlights Joseph's wisdom and fairness in how he managed the distribution. He didn't just give everyone a flat amount; he considered their individual family circumstances.

In essence, the verse means:

Joseph used his position of power in Egypt to ensure that his entire extended family, including his father, brothers, and all their households, were properly fed with bread during the famine. He did this by distributing food based on the size and needs of each family unit. It shows Joseph's sense of responsibility and care for his family, and also reflects his good management skills. He was not just giving handouts, but strategically providing for their long-term survival.

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