What Does Genesis 41:36 Mean?

"That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine." Joseph states the purpose of the entire plan: a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine, so that the land may not perish. The word "perish" (Hebrew: tikaret: to be cut off, to be destroyed) is the strongest possible statement of consequence: without the reserve, Egypt will be destroyed by the famine. The land that houses the most powerful civilization of the ancient world will be cut off: its population unable to feed itself, its social order collapsed, its Nile-based prosperity ended: if nothing is done during the seven abundant years.

The purpose statement also reveals the scope of Joseph's concern. He is not recommending a policy that benefits Pharaoh at the expense of the people, or that concentrates wealth in royal storage while commoners starve. "So that the land may not perish": the entire land, all its people, the comprehensive human and agricultural population of Egypt: is the beneficiary of the reserve. The plan is humanitarian in its stated purpose even as it operates through royal administrative authority. The grain stored under Pharaoh's authority is stored for Egypt's survival.

With verse 36, Joseph's spontaneous policy recommendation is complete. He came before Pharaoh to interpret dreams: summoned specifically for that purpose: and has delivered both an interpretation and a fully-formed national food security plan. The transition from interpreter to policy advisor is so natural in Joseph's presentation that Pharaoh's court apparently receives it without surprise. The next verse shows Pharaoh and his servants recognizing not just the value of the plan but the fitness of the planner: and the question of who should implement the plan will be answered with Joseph himself.