This verse from Genesis 47:24 is part of the agreement Joseph makes with the people of Egypt after the famine. Let's break it down:
"It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh..." This means that after the famine, when the land is fertile again and the people are able to grow crops, they will have to give 20% (one-fifth) of their harvest to Pharaoh. This is a tax or tribute.
"...and four parts will be your own..." This means that the remaining 80% (four-fifths) of the harvest belongs to the people.
"...for seed of the field..." A portion of their share is meant to be saved for planting next year's crops. This ensures they can continue to cultivate the land and grow food.
"...for your food..." The rest of the people's share is meant to be used to feed themselves.
"...for them of your households..." This means the food is for all the adults and older children in their families.
"...and for food for your little ones.” This specifies that the food is also for the young children in their families.
In essence, the verse outlines a taxation system Joseph establishes in Egypt after the famine. The people get to keep the majority of their harvest (80%) for survival and future planting, while the Pharaoh receives a portion (20%) as a form of tax or tribute for his role in saving the people during the famine and giving them land to cultivate. This system ensured that both the people and the government had what they needed to sustain themselves. It also made the people indebted to Pharaoh and further solidified his power.
Key takeaways:
Taxation: The verse establishes a system of taxation where the people give a portion of their harvest to the Pharaoh.
Land Ownership (Indirectly): By paying the tax, the people are essentially acknowledging Pharaoh's ownership or control of the land and their right to cultivate it. They have rights to the produce, but not the land itself.
Sustenance: The majority of the harvest is allocated for the people's survival and future planting.
Impact on the People: The new system solidified Pharaoh's power, while also providing stability and security for the people, who now had a guaranteed way to survive and cultivate the land, even if they weren't landowners themselves.
This verse from Genesis 47:24 is part of the agreement Joseph makes with the people of Egypt after the famine. Let's break it down:
"It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh..." This means that after the famine, when the land is fertile again and the people are able to grow crops, they will have to give 20% (one-fifth) of their harvest to Pharaoh. This is a tax or tribute.
"...and four parts will be your own..." This means that the remaining 80% (four-fifths) of the harvest belongs to the people.
"...for seed of the field..." A portion of their share is meant to be saved for planting next year's crops. This ensures they can continue to cultivate the land and grow food.
"...for your food..." The rest of the people's share is meant to be used to feed themselves.
"...for them of your households..." This means the food is for all the adults and older children in their families.
"...and for food for your little ones.” This specifies that the food is also for the young children in their families.
In essence, the verse outlines a taxation system Joseph establishes in Egypt after the famine. The people get to keep the majority of their harvest (80%) for survival and future planting, while the Pharaoh receives a portion (20%) as a form of tax or tribute for his role in saving the people during the famine and giving them land to cultivate. This system ensured that both the people and the government had what they needed to sustain themselves. It also made the people indebted to Pharaoh and further solidified his power.
Key takeaways:
Taxation: The verse establishes a system of taxation where the people give a portion of their harvest to the Pharaoh.
Land Ownership (Indirectly): By paying the tax, the people are essentially acknowledging Pharaoh's ownership or control of the land and their right to cultivate it. They have rights to the produce, but not the land itself.
Sustenance: The majority of the harvest is allocated for the people's survival and future planting.
Impact on the People: The new system solidified Pharaoh's power, while also providing stability and security for the people, who now had a guaranteed way to survive and cultivate the land, even if they weren't landowners themselves.