Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 47:22

22 Only the land of the Priests bought he not : for the Priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh. and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.

Under this name he understands chiefly those who administred the Worship of the Gods or Idols of Egypt, and withal those who applied themselves to the study of the arts and vertues, called their wisemen and magicians. Though some understand it of the Princes (as that word sometimes signifies) or Officers of Pharaoh, who were nourished out of the Kings Treasures. And possibly the same Hebrew word may here comprehend both, viz. the ministers of the King and of their Idols too, for both enjoyed the same priviledges, as Diodorus Siculus relates. And that the Priests are included, if not mainly intended here, will be evident enough to any one that considers the state of Egypt, how mad that people universally were upon their Idols, how numerous their Priests were and in how great honour and veneration both with Prince and People. Besides, reason of State obliged Pharaoh to ingage and secure to himself that sort of men which bore so great sway with the old inhabitants of their several places, and were likely to have the same authority with the new inhabitants, to quiet and satisfie them at their first change, which must needs be very ungrateful to them.

Of this immunity of the Priests that antient writer, Diodorus Siculus, makes mention. But this is not to be ascribed to Iosephs will or choice, for he who abhorred their Idolatry, could not have a kindness for nor would have given encouragement to, the great upholders and promoters of it, but in this he was over-ruled either by Pharaohs express command, (it being not probable; that so great an interest as that of the Priests should not have friends at Court, or that their friends should not plead for them, or that their pleas and desires should not be granted by an Idolatrous King) or by the Laws of Egypt, or by their customs and usages in things of a like nature, which would have the force of a law among them.

Marginal references: Or, Princes.