Genesis 41:40

40 You will be in charge of my palace. All of my people must obey your orders. I will be greater than you only because I'm the one who sits on the throne."

Genesis 41:40 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:40

Thou shall be over my house
, Have the care of his domestic affairs, and be the principal man in his palace and court: and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled;
not only in his family, but in his whole kingdom; whatever he ordered and commanded them to do, they should it, or "all my people shall kiss" F19, that is, either their hand at the sight of him, or meeting him, in token of respect and veneration shall yield a ready and cheerful obedience to him, of which the kiss was a sign, see ( Psalms 2:12 ) . The Targum of Onkelos renders it, "shall be fed" F20, supplied with corn, and with all necessary provisions, and so Jarchi interprets it; which is restraining it to that part of his office which concerned the gathering and laying up their stores for time to come; but the Targum of Jonathan is, "shall be armed" F21; and so Aben Ezra makes him the prince or general of the army, or who had the militia at his command, and could arm them when he pleased; but it seems to denote a more large and unlimited power than either of these, even the government of the whole land under the king, who only excepts himself: only in the throne will I be greater than thou;
that is, he alone would be king, wear the crown sit upon the throne, and have all the ensigns of royal majesty, in which Joseph was to have no share; otherwise he was to have an executive power and authority over all his subjects in the land, even to bind his princes at pleasure, and to teach, instruct, and direct his senators, ( Psalms 105:21 Psalms 105:22 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (qvy) "osculabitur", Montanus, Junius, & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.
F20 Cibabitur, Fagius; "cibum capiet", Tigurine version.
F21 Armabitur, Pagninus, Munster, Drusius, Cartwright; so Kimchi.

Genesis 41:40 In-Context

38 So Pharaoh said to them, "The spirit of God is in this man. We can't find anyone else like him, can we?"
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "God has made all of this known to you. No one is as wise and understanding as you are.
40 You will be in charge of my palace. All of my people must obey your orders. I will be greater than you only because I'm the one who sits on the throne."
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I'm putting you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."
42 Then Pharaoh took his ring off his finger. It was the ring he used to stamp all of the official papers. He put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes that were made out of fine linen. He put a gold chain around his neck.
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