Genesis 41:16

16 Joseph answered: Without me, God shall give Pharao a prosperous answer.

Genesis 41:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:16

And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [it is] not in me
Which expresses his great modesty, that he did not arrogate such skill and wisdom to himself; declaring that he had no such power and abilities in and of himself, to interpret dreams; what he had was a gift of God, and wholly depended upon his influence, and the revelation he was pleased to make to him of such things: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace;
such an answer to his request in the interpretation of his dream, as shall give him full content, and make his mind quiet and easy, and which shall tend to the welfare of him and his kingdom. Some render the words as a prayer or wish, "may God give Pharaoh" F9; so as it were addressing his God, that he would be pleased to make known to him his interpretation of the dream to the satisfaction of Pharaoh: but the other sense seems best, which expresses his faith in God, that he would do it, and to whom it should be ascribed, and not unto himself.


FOOTNOTES:

F9 (hney) "respondeat", Vatablus.

Genesis 41:16 In-Context

14 Forthwith at the king’s command Joseph was brought out of the prison, and they shaved him: and changing his apparel brought him in to him.
15 And he said to him: I have dreamed dreams, and there is no one that can expound them: Now I have heard that thou art very wise at interpreting them:
16 Joseph answered: Without me, God shall give Pharao a prosperous answer.
17 So Pharao told what he had dreamed: Me thought I stood upon the bank of the river,
18 And seven kine came up out of the river, exceeding beautiful and full of flesh: and they grazed on green places in a marshy pasture.
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