Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Genesis 47:19 "Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh. So give us seed, that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 47:19 "Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed [to plant], that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate." |
Bible Question:
Slavery and Citizenship. I remember reading in a course in "The History of Women" that a form of "slavery" was one of the most progressive features of Egyptian society. All citizen's were required to do periodic hard labour --- and this included men and women. The end result of this was (not only magnificent building programs, but...) a high status for women in the society. They enjoyed both the responsibilities and benefits of citizenship. Could this universal slavery/citizenship date from the time of Joseph? That course was 10 years ago, and vague in my mind --- does anyone know this historical context might fit with the story? |
Bible Answer: From what I understand, current thought is that the pyramids, etc., were built by a specialized task force. They were skilled workers that were fully supported for their efforts by Pharaoh. This has come to light with the recent discovery of the pyramid builders' community outside of Cairo. (Neither scripture nor archaeology support the Masonic take on history.) |