Genesis 41:36-46

36 This food will be reserved for the seven years of famine to follow in the land of Egypt so that the land won't be ravaged by the famine."
37 This advice seemed wise to Pharaoh and all his servants,
38 and Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man with more God-given gifts than this one?"
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, no one is as intelligent and wise as you are.
40 You will be in charge of my kingdom, and all my people will obey your command. Only as the enthroned king will I be greater than you."
41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Know this: I've given you authority over the entire land of Egypt."
42 Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, he dressed him in linen clothes, and he put a gold necklace around his neck.
43 He put Joseph on the chariot of his second-in-command, and everyone in front of him cried out, "Attention!" So Pharaoh installed him over the entire land of Egypt.
44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh; no one will do anything or go anywhere in all the land of Egypt without your permission."
45 Pharaoh renamed Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah, and married him to Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of Heliopolis. Then Joseph assumed control of the land of Egypt.
46 Joseph was 30 years old when he began to serve Pharaoh, Egypt's king, when he left Pharaoh's court and traveled through the entire land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:36-46 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 41

In this chapter are related Pharaoh's dreams, which his magicians could not interpret, Ge 41:1-9, upon which the chief butler now remembering Joseph, recommended him to Pharaoh as an interpreter, having had an happy experience of him as such himself, Ge 41:10-13, when Joseph was sent for out of prison; and Pharaoh having related his dreams, he interpreted them of seven years of plenty, and seven years of famine, that should be in the land of Egypt, Ge 41:14-32; and having done, he gave his advice to provide in the years of plenty against the years of famine, and proposed a scheme for doing it, which was approved of by Pharaoh and his ministers, Ge 41:33-37; and Joseph himself was pitched upon as the most proper person to execute it, and was appointed chief over the kingdom next to Pharaoh, who gave him a new name and a wife upon this occasion, Ge 41:38-45; accordingly, in the years of plenty he took a tour throughout the whole land, and gathered and laid up food in vast quantities in every city, Ge 41:46-49; an account is given of two sons born to Joseph, and of their names, Ge 41:50-52; and of the seven years of famine, beginning to come on at the end of the seven years of plenty, which brought great distress on the land of Egypt, and the countries round about, who all came to Joseph to buy corn, Ge 41:53-57.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Or like this one, in whom is the spirit of God
  • [b]. Or house
  • [c]. LXX; Heb uncertain, perhaps submit themselves to your command
  • [d]. An Egyptian loanword similar to the Heb word kneel
  • [e]. Heb On
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