Genesis 41:36-46

36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."

Joseph Rises to Power

37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.
38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, 1in whom is the Spirit of God?"[a]
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.
40 2You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command.[b] Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."
41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, 3I have set you over all the land of Egypt."
42 Then Pharaoh 4took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and 5clothed him in garments of fine linen 6and put a gold chain about his neck.
43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. 7And they called out before him, "Bow the knee!"[c] Thus he set him 8over all the land of Egypt.
44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and 9without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
46 Joseph was thirty years old when he 10entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the 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.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Numbers 27:18; Daniel 4:8, 18; Daniel 5:11, 14
  • 2. Psalms 105:21; Acts 7:10
  • 3. Genesis 42:6
  • 4. Esther 3:10; Esther 8:2, 8, 10
  • 5. [Esther 8:15]
  • 6. Ezekiel 16:11; [Daniel 5:7, 29]
  • 7. [Esther 6:9]
  • 8. ver. 40; Genesis 42:6; Genesis 45:8, 9, 26
  • 9. [Psalms 105:21, 22]
  • 10. 1 Samuel 16:21; 1 Kings 12:6, 8; Daniel 1:19

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or of the gods
  • [b]. Hebrew and according to your command all my people shall kiss the ground
  • [c]. Abrek, probably an Egyptian word, similar in sound to the Hebrew word meaning to kneel
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.