Definition: Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, [here is] seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 47:23. It's a really important passage about Joseph and his future role! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Joseph is giving people land to plant seeds on. Let's unpack it further: “Then Joseph said unto the people…” – This tells us that Joseph is speaking to a group of people. He’s giving a message or instruction. “…Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh:” – “Behold” means "look" or "see." This means Joseph is officially giving them something valuable – their land! He's saying he’s purchased it for Pharaoh (a king). “Lo, [here is] seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.” – This is the key part. “Lo” is a word that means "then" or "therefore." It’s emphasizing what just happened. It's saying: “Now, I’m giving you this land, and I’m making it possible for you to grow crops.” So, the whole verse is telling us: Joseph has purchased the land for Pharaoh and is now providing the people with the means – the seeds – to plant and grow their own food. It's a big step in his future destiny! What’s the significance? This verse is often seen as a foreshadowing of Joseph’s role in leading Egypt out of its problems and ultimately saving them from famine. It sets up a whole chain of events that lead to him becoming incredibly important. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to a larger story or theme?