Earing nor harvest] That is, no tillage, no seed sowen, no harvest to be reaped, (except in the places neere the bankes of Nilus, see Annot. on Chap. 41. vers. 34.) because they had not store, and stocke enough to serve for bread, and seed; and it was to no purpose to sow when Joseph by revelation knew there would be no returne to recompence the cost, the earth being by barrennesse unable to pay not the use but the principall also; God revealing this unto Joseph, made him a meanes of much mercy to thousands of people, who (but for his providence and provision) might have perished by famine.