Genesis 41:37-45

Joseph Exalted

37 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.
38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone like this, a man who has the spirit of God[a] in him?"
39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as intelligent and wise as you.
40 You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands.[b] Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you."
41 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt."
42 Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
43 He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, and [servants] called out before him, "Abrek!"[c] So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.
44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your permission no one will be able to raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah and gave him a wife, Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On.[d] And Joseph went throughout[e] the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:37-45 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 Spirit of God, or spirit of the gods
  • [b]. Lit will kiss your mouth
  • [c]. Perhaps an Egyptian word meaning Attention!; others see it as a Hb word meaning Kneel!
  • [d]. Or Heliopolis
  • [e]. Or Joseph gained authority over
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