That food shall be a reserve: That food refers to the grain that has been stored and saved up to be eaten during the years of famine.

For the land means for the country as a whole or for the people of Egypt.

Against the seven years of famine: that is, “for when the seven years of famine come.”

So that the land may not perish through the famine: that is, “so the people will not die from starvation” or “so that the people will not starve to death.”

We may render verse 36, for example, “All of that produce will be saved up for the people of this country so they will have it when the seven years of famine come, and in this way the people will not starve.”

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 .