All the earth: that is, “People came from all over the world.” This expression refers to the people of the countries surrounding Egypt. They had to deal with Joseph to purchase grain.

This final verse links chapter 41 to chapter 42 as the story shifts to Canaan and Jacob’s family, who are also suffering from the widespread famine.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .