This statement is an accurate translation of the Hebrew text as we know it today. It seems to mean that Joseph distributed, or organized, the population of the land according to the cities in which grain was stored, placing them either in the cities or in their immediate vicinity. However, the LXX and the Vulgate may reflect the original more accurately: “He brought the people into bondage to him for servants.” Since the Hebrew text presumably underlying these early translations would represent the exchange of but two very similar Hebrew letters, the equivalents of d and r, and the addition of another letter, b, it is possible that the LXX and the Vulgate are closer to the original text. Their rendition certainly seems more appropriate to the context. Until the recovery of an ancient Hebrew text of this passage may decide the problem one way or the other, however, it is best to withhold judgment.