SEV Biblia, Chapter 47:26
Entonces José lo puso por fuero hasta hoy sobre la tierra de Egipto, señalando para el Faraón el quinto; excepto sólo la tierra de los sacerdotes, que no fue del Faraón.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:26
Verse 26. And Joseph made it a law] That the people should hold their land from the king, and give him the fifth part of the produce as a yearly tax. Beyond this it appears the king had no farther demands. The whole of this conduct of Joseph has been as strongly censured by some as applauded by others. It is natural for men to run into extremes in attacking or defending any position. Sober and judicious men will consider what Joseph did by Divine appointment as a prophet of God, and what he did merely as a statesman from the circumstances of the case, the complexion of the times, and the character of the people over whom he presided. When this is dispassionately done, we shall see much reason to adore God, applaud the man, and perhaps in some cases censure the minister. Joseph is never held up to our view as an unerring prophet of God. He was an honoured instrument in the hands of God of saving two nations from utter ruin, and especially of preserving that family from which the Messiah was to spring, and of perpetuating the true religion among them. In this character he is represented in the sacred pages. His conduct as the prime minister of Pharaoh was powerfully indicative of a deep and consummate politician, who had high notions of prerogative, which led him to use every prudent means to aggrandize his master, and at the same time to do what he judged best on the whole for the people he governed. See the conclusion of the 50th chapter. See on ""chap. l. 26"".
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-26 - Care being taken of Jacob and his family, which mercy was especiall designed by Providence in Joseph's advancement, an account is given of the saving the kingdom of Egypt from ruin. There was no bread, and the people were ready to die. See how we depend upon God's providence. All our wealth would not keep us from starving, if rain were withheld for two or three years. See how much we are at God's mercy, and let us kee ourselves always in his love. Also see how much we smart by our ow want of care. If all the Egyptians had laid up corn for themselves in the seven years of plenty, they had not been in these straits; but the regarded not the warning. Silver and gold would not feed them: the must have corn. All that a man hath will he give for his life. We cannot judge this matter by modern rules. It is plain that the Egyptians regarded Joseph as a public benefactor. The whole i consistent with Joseph's character, acting between Pharaoh and his subjects, in the fear of God. The Egyptians confessed concernin Joseph, Thou hast saved our lives. What multitudes will gratefully say to Jesus, at the last day, Thou hast saved our souls from the mos tremendous destruction, and in the season of uttermost distress! The Egyptians parted with all their property, and even their liberty, for the saving of their lives: can it then be too much for us to count all but loss, and part with all, at His command, and for His sake, who wil both save our souls, and give us an hundredfold, even here, in thi present world? Surely if saved by Christ, we shall be willing to becom his servants.
Original Hebrew
וישׂם 7760 אתה 853 יוסף 3130 לחק 2706 עד 5704 היום 3117 הזה 2088 על 5921 אדמת 127 מצרים 4714 לפרעה 6547 לחמשׁ 2569 רק 7535 אדמת 127 הכהנים 3548 לבדם 905 לא 3808 היתה 1961 לפרעה׃ 6547
