Definition: And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which [was] round about every city, laid he up in the same.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 41:48 together. It's a really fascinating story! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: God is dealing with a severe famine in Egypt. The Egyptians are hoarding all the food – grains, vegetables, everything – and they’re keeping it for themselves. But God, through his cleverness, decides to help Joseph, a young man in Egypt, by giving him a special job: he gathers up all the food from the land, and stores it in cities across Egypt. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he gathered up all the food of the seven years…” : This means God is taking over the situation and ensuring a steady supply of food for his people – particularly during times of hardship. It’s about protecting them from starvation. “…which were in the land of Egypt…” : Egypt was suffering greatly, and the land there was barren and empty. “And laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which [was] round about every city…” : This is where it gets really interesting. God instructs Joseph to store this food in cities – specifically, in places that are spread out across Egypt. He’s putting it all in strategic locations so it’s accessible to everyone. "Round about every city" means they're evenly distributed. “laid him up in the same.” : This is a bit more poetic. It means Joseph carefully and strategically placed the food – enough to last for many years – in various cities across Egypt. Overall Meaning: This verse describes God’s providence, or his plan, to protect his people from famine by providing them with a plentiful supply of food through Joseph's incredible skill and foresight. It highlights God’s care and generosity even when things seem bleak. It’s a story about: Divine Providence: God is actively working for our good, even in difficult times. Faith & Opportunity: Joseph’s role demonstrates the power of faith and how opportunity can arise from unexpected circumstances. Wisdom & Planning: It shows God’s strategic thinking and understanding of how to best use resources. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you'd like me to answer? For example, are you curious about: The symbolism of the food being stored in cities? The role of Joseph? How this story relates to other biblical stories?