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◄ Genesis 41:56►

New International Version
When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.

New Living Translation
So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt.

English Standard Version
So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible
When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

King James Bible
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

New King James Version
The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.

New American Standard Bible
When the famine wasspread over the entire face of the earth, then Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

NASB 1995
When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth, then Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

NASB 1977
When the famine wasspread over all the face of the earth, then Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the famine was over all the face of the land. And Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Amplified Bible
When the famine wasspread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold [surplus grain] to the Egyptians; and the famine grew [extremely] severe in the land of Egypt.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the famine had spread across the whole region, so Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because the famine had spread across the whole country, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the store-houses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine was sore in the land of Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
The famine became bad everywhere in Egypt, so Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grain to the Egyptians.

English Revised Version
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine was sore in the land of Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the famine had spread all over the country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. He did this because the famine was severe in Egypt.

Good News Translation
The famine grew worse and spread over the whole country, so Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians.

International Standard Version
Joseph opened all of the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, because the famine was beginning to be severe throughout the land of Egypt.

NET Bible
While the famine was over all the earth, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. The famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt.

New Heart English Bible
So the famine was over all the surface of the land. Then Joseph opened all the storehouses of grain and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the famine was over all the face of the earth; and Joseph opened all the store-houses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

World English Bible
The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the famine has been over all the face of the land, and Joseph opens all [places] which have [grain] in them, and sells to the Egyptians; and the famine is severe in the land of Egypt,

Young's Literal Translation
And the famine has been over all the face of the land, and Joseph openeth all places which have corn in them, and selleth to the Egyptians; and the famine is severe in the land of Egypt,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the famine was upon all the face of the earth: and Joseph will open all which in them, and he will sell to Egypt; and the famine was strong in the land of Egypt.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the famine increased daily in all the land: and Joseph opened all the barns, and sold to the Egyptians: for the famine had oppressed them also.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the famine increased daily in all the land. And Joseph opened all of the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. For the famine had oppressed them also.

New American Bible
When the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the cities that had grain and rationed it to the Egyptians, since the famine had gripped the land of Egypt.

New Revised Standard Version
And since the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the famine was over all the face of the land, and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And famine was on the face of all the Earth, and Yoseph opened the granaries and he sold to the Egyptians, and the famine prevailed in the land of Egypt.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the famine was over all the face of the earth; and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine was sore in the land of Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the famine was on the face of all the earth; and Joseph opened all the granaries, and sold to all the Egyptians.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Famine Begins
…55When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”56When the famine had spread over all the land,Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians;for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.57And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Genesis 42:5
So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 47:13-15
There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. / Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace. / When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!”

Acts 7:11
Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food.

Psalm 105:16
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.

Genesis 12:10
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.

Genesis 26:1
Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.

Genesis 43:1
Now the famine was still severe in the land.

2 Kings 8:1-2
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.

Ruth 1:1
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab.

Amos 8:11
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Luke 4:25
But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land.

Luke 15:14
After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.

Acts 11:28
One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)

Revelation 6:5-6
And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales. / And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.”

Treasury of Scripture

And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

the face.

Isaiah 23:17
And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.

Zechariah 5:3
Then said he unto me, Thisis the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut offas on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut offas on that side according to it.

Luke 21:35
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

all the storehouses.

Genesis 42:6
And Josephwas the governor over the land,and heit was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before himwith their faces to the earth.

Genesis 47:14-24
And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house…

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Corn Country Earth Egypt Egyptians Everywhere Face Famine Food Grain Great Grievous Houses Joseph Money Need Opened Openeth Opening Places Provision Selleth Severe Short Sold Sore Spread Store Storehouses Store-Houses Surface Waxed Whole

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Genesis 41

1.Pharaoh has two dreams.
9.Joseph interprets them.
33.He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married.
46.The seven years of plenty.
50.He begets children.
53.The famine begins.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

When the famine had spread over all the land
The phrase indicates a widespread and severe famine, not limited to Egypt but affecting the entire region. This aligns with the dream interpretation Joseph provided to Pharaoh, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:29-30). The famine's reach emphasizes the fulfillment of God's revelation through Joseph, showcasing divine sovereignty over natural events. Historically, famines were common in the ancient Near East due to reliance on agriculture and the Nile's flooding patterns. This event sets the stage for the movement of Jacob's family to Egypt, a pivotal moment in Israel's history.

Joseph opened up all the storehouses
Joseph's actions demonstrate his wisdom and administrative skills, as he had prepared for the famine during the seven years of plenty by storing surplus grain (Genesis 41:48-49). This preparation reflects God's providence and Joseph's faithfulness in executing his duties. The storehouses symbolize God's provision and the importance of stewardship. Joseph's role as a savior figure foreshadows Christ, who provides spiritual sustenance to a world in need.

and sold grain to the Egyptians
Joseph's decision to sell grain rather than give it away highlights the economic strategies employed to manage resources and maintain order during the crisis. This approach ensured the sustainability of supplies and the functioning of the Egyptian economy. It also reflects the principle of work and reward, as seen inProverbs 12:11. Joseph's actions preserved the nation and reinforced his position of authority, prefiguring Christ's role as a provider and sustainer.

for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt
The severity of the famine underscores the dire circumstances and the necessity of Joseph's leadership. It highlights the vulnerability of human societies to natural disasters and the need for divine intervention. The famine's impact on Egypt, a powerful and resource-rich nation, illustrates that no earthly power is immune to God's plans. This situation sets the stage for the Israelites' eventual enslavement and deliverance, a key theme in the biblical narrative of redemption.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Joseph
The son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. He is a key figure in this passage, responsible for managing Egypt's resources during the famine.

2.Egypt
The land where Joseph served under Pharaoh. It became the center of survival during the famine due to Joseph's foresight and God's providence.

3.Famine
A severe shortage of food that affected not only Egypt but also the surrounding regions. It was a pivotal event that led to Joseph's family eventually coming to Egypt.

4.Storehouses
These were the places where Joseph stored the grain during the seven years of plenty, as per Pharaoh's dream interpretation.

5.Egyptians
The people of Egypt who were directly affected by the famine and relied on Joseph's management of resources for survival.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Provision
God orchestrates events for His purposes, as seen in Joseph's rise to power and the provision during the famine.

Wisdom in Preparation
Joseph's management of resources during the years of plenty teaches the importance of planning and preparation for future challenges.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Joseph remained faithful to God despite his circumstances, and God used him mightily. This encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith.

Compassion and Stewardship
Joseph's actions during the famine demonstrate compassion and responsible stewardship, reminding us to care for others in times of need.

God's Redemptive Plan
The famine set the stage for the eventual migration of Jacob's family to Egypt, which was part of God's larger plan for Israel.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Genesis 41:56?

2.How does Genesis 41:56 demonstrate God's provision during times of famine?

3.What role did Joseph play in managing resources according to Genesis 41:56?

4.How can we apply Joseph's wisdom in Genesis 41:56 to our financial stewardship?

5.What scriptural connections exist between Genesis 41:56 and God's provision in the New Testament?

6.How does Genesis 41:56 encourage trust in God's plan during difficult times?

7.How does Genesis 41:56 demonstrate God's sovereignty in times of famine and crisis?

8.What does Genesis 41:56 reveal about Joseph's leadership and wisdom?

9.How does Genesis 41:56 illustrate the fulfillment of God's promises?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 41?

11.If Joseph became a high-ranking Egyptian official, why is there no Egyptian record of him?

12.Why would Egyptian officials allow foreign travelers to buy grain amid a severe famine with no documented restrictions (Genesis 42:1–5)?

13.How does ambition align with serving God?

14.Does Genesis depict Joseph's actions as socialist?

What Does Genesis 41:56 Mean

When the famine had spread over all the land

• “The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said” (Genesis 41:54-55). What God foretold is now a present reality, reaching “all the land,” not only Egypt but the surrounding nations (Genesis 41:57).

• This wide-ranging crisis underscores the sovereignty of God in both judgment and provision—He permitted the famine yet had already supplied the means of rescue (Psalm 105:16-17).

•Acts 7:11 reminds us that “a famine and great suffering came over all Egypt and Canaan,” tying Joseph’s story to the larger redemptive narrative.

Joseph opened up all the storehouses

• Years earlier Joseph “collected all the food” and “stored it in the cities” (Genesis 41:48-49). Now those massive silos are unlocked.

• Wise stewardship prepares in advance for foreseeable trouble (Proverbs 6:6-8; 21:20). Joseph models practical faith—trusting God while acting responsibly.

• His obedience turns a national catastrophe into an opportunity for blessing, mirroring the principle that “it is required of stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

and sold grain to the Egyptians

• Rather than giving the grain away indiscriminately, Joseph sells it. This preserves Pharaoh’s authority, sustains the economy, and prevents waste (Genesis 47:13-24).

•Proverbs 11:26 affirms the wisdom of releasing stored grain at the right time: “He who withholds grain—the people curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.”

• Joseph’s actions protect dignity. By purchasing, the people participate in their own relief, a pattern echoed later when Paul urges believers to “work quietly and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:12).

for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt

• Scripture repeats the word “severe” to stress the extremity of the need (Genesis 43:1). God’s word had warned, and now the hardship is fully felt.

• Such severity magnifies God’s mercy: through one obedient servant an entire nation—and eventually the family of Israel—is preserved (Genesis 50:20).

•Psalm 34:19 reminds us, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” The famine’s intensity highlights the deliverance.

summary

Genesis 41:56 shows the literal fulfillment of God’s revelation to Joseph, the effectiveness of obedient preparation, and the gracious provision of the Lord amid severe judgment. The famine touches every corner, yet the storehouses open at the appointed time, grain flows to hungry people, and God’s redemptive plan advances unhindered.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 56, 57. -And the famine was over all the face of the earth (vide supra, ver. 54):And Joseph opened all the storehouses, - literally, allwherein was,i.e. all the magazines that had grain in them. The granaries of Egypt are represented on the monuments. "In the tomb of Amenemha at Beni-hassan there is the painting of a great storehouse, before whose door lies a great heap of grain already winnowed. Near by stands the bushel with which it is measured, and the registrar who takes the account" (Hengstenberg's 'Egypt and the Books of Moses,' p. 36) -and sold unto the Egyptians (cf. Proverbs 2:26); -and the famine waxed sore (literally,became strong)in the land of Egypt. A remarkable inscription from the tomb at Eileythia of Barn, which Brugsch ('Histoire d'Egypte,' second ed., p. 174,seqq.) assigns to the latter part of the seventeenth dynasty, mentions a dearth of several years in Egypt ("A famine having broken out during many years, I gave corn to the town during each famine"), which that distinguished Egyptologer identifies with the famine of Joseph under Apophis, the shepherd king (vide ' Encyclopedia Britannica,' ninth edition, art. Egypt); but, this, according to Bunsen ('Egypt's Place, 3:334), is rather to be detected in a dearth of several years which occurred in the time of Osirtasen I., and which is mentioned in an inscription at Beni-hassan, recording the fact that during its prevalence food was supplied by Amenee, the governor of a district of Upper Egypt (Smith's' Dict.,' art. Joseph). The character of Chnumhotep (a near relative and favorite of Osirtasen I., and his immediate successor), and the recorded events of his government, as described in the Beni-hassan monuments, also remind one of Joseph: - "he (i.e. Chnumhotep) injured no little child; he oppressed no widow; he detained for his own purpose no fisherman; took from his work no shepherd; no overseer's men were taken. There was no beggar in his days; no one starved in his time. When years of famine occurred he ploughed all the lands of the district, producing abundant food; no one starved in it; he treated the widow as a woman with a husband to protect her" (vide 'Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 1. p. 450).And all countries (i.e. people from all the adjoining lands)came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because the famine was so sore in all lands.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

When the famine
וְהָרָעָ֣ב(wə·hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458:Famine, hunger

had spread
הָיָ֔ה(hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be

over
עַ֖ל(‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־(kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every

the
פְּנֵ֣י(pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The face

land,
הָאָ֑רֶץ(hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, land

Joseph
יוֹסֵ֜ף(yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130:Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

opened up
וַיִּפְתַּ֨ח(way·yip̄·taḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6605:To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

all
כָּל־(kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every

the storehouses and sold grain
וַיִּשְׁבֹּ֣ר(way·yiš·bōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7666:To deal in grain

to the Egyptians;
לְמִצְרַ֔יִם(lə·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713:Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

for the famine
הָֽרָעָ֖ב(hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458:Famine, hunger

was severe
וַיֶּחֱזַ֥ק(way·ye·ḥĕ·zaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388:To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

in the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ(bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776:Earth, land

of Egypt.
מִצְרָֽיִם׃(miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

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OT Law: Genesis 41:56 The famine was over all the surface (Gen. Ge Gn)