Genesis 41:44

44 Pharaoh said to Yosef, "I, Pharaoh, decree that without your approval no one is to raise his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt."

Genesis 41:44 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:44

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I [am] Pharaoh
Or I am king, which the word Pharaoh signifies, as Josephus ^F26 says; and that this is not a proper name, but a title of office, seems plain from these words; and the sense either is, that though Pharaoh had raised Joseph to such high honour and dignity, yet he alone was king: or this he said to show his power and authority to do what he had done, and would stand by him, and support him in his office and grandeur: and without thee shall not a man lift up his hand or foot in all the
land of Egypt;
which is to be taken not in a strict literal sense, but proverbially, signifying, that nothing should be done in the nation of any moment or importance, relating to political affairs, but what was by his order and authority; the hands and feet being the principal instruments of action. The Targum of Jonathan is,

``without thy word (or order) a man shall not lift up his hand to gird on armour, or his foot to mount a horse;''

signifying thereby, that all things relating to war and peace should be altogether under his direction.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 6. sect. 2.

Genesis 41:44 In-Context

42 Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Yosef's hand, had him clothed in fine linen with a gold chain around his neck

43 and had him ride in his second best chariot; and they cried before him, "Bow down!" Thus he placed him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

44 Pharaoh said to Yosef, "I, Pharaoh, decree that without your approval no one is to raise his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt."

45 Pharaoh called Yosef by the name Tzafnat-Pa'neach and gave him as his wife Osnat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On. Then Yosef went out through all the land of Egypt.

46 Yosef was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt; then he left Pharaoh's presence and traveled through all the land of Egypt.