Genesis 41:47Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Would you like us to further explore the story of Joseph today and reflect on how this exceptional figure, after attaining authority over all of Egypt, used his wisdom to bring peace to its people? It is written, “He went out from the face of Pharaoh, and passed through all the land of Egypt.” During seven years of abundance, the land yielded grain in abundance, and he stored up vast quantities of bread, like the sand of the sea. Armed with full power from the king, he collected the harvest and secured it in the cities, thereby ensuring that there would be ample provisions to withstand the impending famine. Consider the just reward this virtuous man received while still living, as he transitioned from the depths of prison to the royal palace.

The land yielded seven years of plentiful harvests in abundant sheaves. The phrases found in Matthew (Matthew 13:23) and Mark (Mark 4:8, 20) align closely with this concept as understood in Hebrew. Through these instances, we can understand Moses' remarks to mean that throughout the seven years of abundance, the earth produced such an overwhelming number of stalks and heads from a single grain that it appeared akin to an entire sheaf. Those familiar with the fertile nature of ancient Egypt would find this notion quite believable.