Genesis 41:49
Genesis 41:49 in Multiple Translations
So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
And Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left off numbering; for it was without number.
So he got together a store of grain like the sand of the sea; so great a store that after a time he gave up measuring it, for it might not be measured.
Joseph piled up so much grain that it was like the sand of the seashore. Eventually he stopped keeping records because there was just so much!
So Ioseph gathered wheate, like vnto the sand of the sea in multitude out of measure, vntill he left numbring: for it was without number.
and Joseph gathereth corn as sand of the sea, multiplying exceedingly, until that he hath ceased to number, for there is no number.
Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
And there was so great abundance of wheat, that it was equal to the sand of the sea, and the plenty exceeded measure.
Joseph had them store up a huge amount of grain. It looked as plentiful as the sand on the seashore. There was so much grain that after a while they stopped keeping records of how much grain was stored, because there was more grain than they could measure.
There was so much food in those sheds that nobody could count it, just like nobody can count all those little bits of sand that are at the beaches by the sea.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 41:49
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 41:49 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּצְבֹּ֨ר
יוֹסֵ֥ף
בָּ֛ר
כְּ/ח֥וֹל
הַ/יָּ֖ם
הַרְבֵּ֣ה
מְאֹ֑ד
עַ֛ד
כִּי
חָדַ֥ל
לִ/סְפֹּ֖ר
כִּי
אֵ֥ין
מִסְפָּֽר
וַ/יִּצְבֹּ֨ר
tsâbar
H6651
to heap
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יוֹסֵ֥ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
Joseph
N-proper
בָּ֛ר
bâr
H1250
grain
N-ms
כְּ/ח֥וֹל
chôwl
H2344
sand
Prep | N-ms
הַ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
West
Art | N-ms
הַרְבֵּ֣ה
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
V-Hiphil-Ptc
מְאֹ֑ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
much
Adv
עַ֛ד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
חָדַ֥ל
châdal
H2308
to cease
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לִ/סְפֹּ֖ר
çâphar
H5608
to recount
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
מִסְפָּֽר
miçpâr
H4557
number
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 41:49
וַ/יִּצְבֹּ֨ר
tsâbar
H6651
"to heap"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to gather or pile something up, like grain or silver, often used to describe accumulating wealth or resources. It appears in various contexts, including storing food or treasure.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to heap up, pile up 1a) of grain, dust, silver
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), heap (up), lay up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Job 27:16; Psalms 39:7.
יוֹסֵ֥ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
"Joseph"
N-proper
Joseph means Jehovah has added, a name given to several Israelites, including the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was a significant figure in the book of Genesis and the story of his brothers. He became a leader in Egypt.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.14 § Joseph = "Jehovah has added" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel 2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies 3) a son of Asaph 4) a man who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 5) a priest of the family of Shebaniah in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: Joseph. Compare H3084 (יְהוֹסֵף). See also: Genesis 30:24; Genesis 47:5; Psalms 77:16.
בָּ֛ר
bâr
H1250
"grain"
N-ms
In Aramaic, 'bar' refers to a field of grain, like wheat or corn. It can also describe the open countryside. This term is used in books like Daniel, where it describes rural areas.
Definition: corn, grain
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: corn, wheat. See also: Genesis 41:35; Psalms 72:16; Psalms 65:14.
כְּ/ח֥וֹל
chôwl
H2344
"sand"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to sand, describing it as round or whirling particles. It is used in the Bible to talk about the desert or beach, and is often translated simply as 'sand'.
Definition: sand
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: sand. See also: Genesis 22:17; Job 6:3; Psalms 78:27.
הַ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Art | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
הַרְבֵּ֣ה
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
מְאֹ֑ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
"much"
Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.
עַ֛ד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
חָדַ֥ל
châdal
H2308
"to cease"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To cease means to stop or end something, like when God told the Israelites to cease work on the Sabbath in Exodus 20:10. It can also mean to be idle or lacking. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a change in action or behavior.
Definition: 1) to stop, cease, desist, forego, cease to be, leave undone, forbear 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cease, come to an end 1a2) to cease, leave off
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let alone, rest, be unoccupied, want. See also: Genesis 11:8; 2 Chronicles 18:14; Psalms 36:4.
לִ/סְפֹּ֖ר
çâphar
H5608
"to recount"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.
Definition: v 1) to count, recount, relate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to count (things) 1a2) to number, take account of, reckon 1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered 1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare 1c1) to recount (something), rehearse 1c2) to talk 1c3) to count exactly or accurately 1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. See also: Genesis 15:5; Esther 8:9; Psalms 2:7.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
מִסְפָּֽר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
Study Notes — Genesis 41:49
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Seven Years of Plenty
47During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully.
48During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it.
49So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.
50Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 78:27 | He rained meat on them like dust, and winged birds like the sand of the sea. |
| 2 | Judges 6:5 | For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it. |
| 3 | Genesis 22:17 | I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 13:5 | Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven. |
| 5 | Judges 7:12 | Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore. |
| 6 | Job 1:3 | and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 33:22 | As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted and as the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so too will I multiply the descendants of My servant David and the Levites who minister before Me.” |
Genesis 41:49 Summary
[Joseph stored up so much grain that he couldn't even count it all, which shows how much God had blessed him. This reminds us that God is a God of abundance and provision, as seen in Genesis 1:28 and Psalm 23:1. By trusting in God and preparing for the future, we can experience His blessing and provision in our own lives, just like Joseph did. We can apply this principle to our own lives by being good stewards of the resources God has given us and using them to bless others.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that Joseph stopped keeping track of the grain?
This means that the amount of grain Joseph collected was so vast that it was impossible to measure or count, much like the sand of the sea, as stated in Genesis 41:49. This abundance was a blessing from God, as seen in Genesis 1:28 where God commands humanity to be fruitful and multiply.
How does this verse relate to Joseph's faith in God?
This verse shows that Joseph trusted in God's promise of abundance, as stated in Genesis 41:29-30, and his actions were a testament to his faith. By storing up grain, Joseph was preparing for the future and trusting that God would provide, as seen in Psalm 37:3-5.
What can we learn from Joseph's example of storing up grain?
We can learn the importance of being prepared and trusting in God's provision, as Joseph did. This is also seen in Proverbs 21:5, which talks about the importance of planning and preparation.
How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship?
This verse highlights Joseph's role as a steward of the resources God had given him, as stated in Genesis 41:41. He was responsible for managing the grain and ensuring that it was used for the good of the people, which is a key aspect of biblical stewardship, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's provision and prepare for the future, just like Joseph did?
- How can I be a good steward of the resources God has given me, and use them to bless others?
- What are some areas in my life where I can apply the principle of planning and preparation, as seen in Joseph's example?
- How can I balance the need to plan and prepare with the need to trust in God's sovereignty and provision?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 41:49
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering,.... At first he took an account of the quantities that were bought and laid up, how much there was in each
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 41:49
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. Joseph gathered corn ... until he left numbering; for it was without number.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 41:49
Genesis 41:49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for [it was] without number.Ver. 49. And Joseph gathered corn.] Against the future famine; mentioned also by Justin, lib. xxxvi., out of Trogus Pompeius. It happened, as Orosius computeth it, in the year before Rome was built, 1048. Ussher dates this about 1715 BC.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 41:49
49. as the sand, of the sea] For this comparison cf. Genesis 22:17, Genesis 32:12.
Sermons on Genesis 41:49
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
That He Might Fill All Things - Part 2 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of emptying oneself and allowing God to work in their lives. He uses the example of Joseph, who started off as a conceited you |
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The Melchizedek Priesthood (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the preaching of the word of God defies analysis and critique. He mentions how scholars believe that Paul missed an opportunity in Athens |
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Vision #1 by Stephen Kaung | Stephen Kaung emphasizes the significance of having a divine vision, drawing from Proverbs 29:18, which states that without vision, people become unrestrained. He illustrates this |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 355 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of fathers in raising their children in a way that allows them to receive the blessings of God. He shares the story of Esau, |
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Genesis Finds Its Complement in the Apocalypse by E.W. Bullinger | E.W. Bullinger delves into the parallelism between Genesis and Revelation, showcasing the contrast between the beginning and the end of God's redemptive plan. From the creation of |
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Emptying Unto Fulness by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound truth that Christ, who descended and ascended, is destined to fill all things with His presence and character. He explores the necessity of |
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Blessing Others by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God's blessings are meant to be shared, as illustrated by His promise to Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed. He challenges listen |