Genesis 41:27

41:27 The seven lean, bad-looking cows that came up after them represent seven years, as do the seven empty heads of grain burned with the east wind. They represent ¹  seven years of famine.

Genesis 41:55

41:55 When all the land of Egypt experienced the famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the people of Egypt, ²  “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”

Genesis 45:11

45:11 I will provide you with food ³  there because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise you would become poor – you, your household, and everyone who belongs to you.”’

Genesis 47:20

47:20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. Each ⁴  of the Egyptians sold his field, for the famine was severe. ⁵  So the land became Pharaoh’s.

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¹ tn Heb “are.” Another option is to translate, “There will be seven years of famine.”

² tn Heb “to all Egypt.” The name of the country is used by metonymy for the inhabitants.

³ tn The verb כּוּל (kul) in the Pilpel stem means “to nourish, to support, to sustain.” As in 1 Kgs 20:27, it here means “to supply with food.”

⁴ tn The Hebrew text connects this clause with the preceding one with a causal particle (כִּי, ki). The translation divides the clauses into two sentences for stylistic reasons.

⁵ tn The Hebrew text adds “upon them.” This has not been included in the translation for stylistic reasons.