How is it possible for all the money and all the animals in Egypt to have become exhausted in the space of one year?
Ramban: All the earlier Pesukim are speaking about the first five years; from 47:15 about the sixth year; and the current Pesukim about the seventh year. 1
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Ki Im Tam ha'Kesef' - ['Ki Im' in this instance means] Ki Asher." Why must this be so?
Gur Aryeh: Im usually means 'if,' but in this case the situation was not in any doubt. Here, the word "Im" means "that."
Rashi writes: "'Ki Im' - [in this instance means] 'Ki Asher.'" Mizrachi asks, couldn't the word be omitted entirely?
Gur Aryeh: The word "that" is necessary, in order to lead into the next Pasuk. 'We shall not deny... that the money is finished... so, must we die because of this?!' (47:19). 1
The Egyptians were not merely stating the fact that they had no more funds; rather, this was the opening to their request [in the next Pasuk]. (EK)
Rashi writes: "'Bilti Im Geviyaseinu' (lit. 'unless if ourselves') - [I.e.,] if not for ourselves." How does this clarify the meaning?
Mizrachi: The word "Bilti" translates to 'Lo,' 'not.' Flipping the order of the two words "Bilti Im" yields the translation "if not for."
Gur Aryeh: The text in Rashi should read "Bilti Geviyaseinu" (and the word 'Im' is unnecessary here). The phrase means "aside from."
