Genesis 41:36

ESV That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."
NIV This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
NASB Let the food be used as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.'
CSB The food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine that will take place in the land of Egypt. Then the country will not be wiped out by the famine."
NLT That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.'
KJV And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
NKJV Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”

What does Genesis 41:36 mean?

Joseph has revealed the meaning of Pharaoh's dreams (Genesis 41:28–32) and is now telling Pharaoh how to respond. He has told Pharaoh to select a wise and discerning man to head up a selected team of overseers. Together, they will impose a kind of tax, taking 20 percent of every bumper crop to come in the following seven years (Genesis 41:33–35).

That grain should be stored away under the authority of Pharaoh. Joseph calls it a "reserve." It will ensure that there is food during the years of famine to come. It will keep Egypt from being wiped out by the historic seven-year famine that looms in their future.

Joseph's plan seems brilliant, especially given how quickly he seems to have come up with it. God has provided to Pharaoh not just a man who could interpret his dreams, but someone who could boldly advise him about a course of action. The following verses will reveal that Pharaoh agrees (Genesis 41:37). Later chapters will detail how Joseph not only implements this plan well, he does so in such a way as to drastically increase Pharaoh's power (Genesis 47:13–26).
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