What does Genesis 41:57 mean?
As prophesied (Genesis 41:28–32), the famine which struck Egypt was severe. The prior seven years of prosperity (Genesis 41:47) were quickly erased. When the Egyptians ran out of food, they came to Joseph (Genesis 41:55–56) and bought grain. They would not starve, thanks to Joseph's God and his preparations during the seven abundant years that came before.It was not just Egypt, however, struck by the famine (Genesis 41:54). People were growing dangerously low on food in all lands. People came from everywhere to Egypt and to Joseph to buy grain. This will dramatically increase the wealth and power of Egypt and her ruler (Genesis 47:13–26). Through Joseph's God-empowered interpretation of the Pharaoh's dream (Genesis 41:14–15), people of many lands would be saved from starvation. As the following chapters will reveal, this includes Joseph's own family.