Genesis 41:40

40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Genesis 41:40 in Other Translations

KJV
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
ESV
40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."
NLT
40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”
MSG
40 From now on, you're in charge of my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you."
CSB
40 You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you."

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 asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God ?”
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 1 Kings 4:6; 2 Kings 15:5; Isaiah 22:15; Isaiah 36:3
  • 2. S Genesis 39:9; Psalms 105:21-22; Acts 7:10
  • 3. Esther 10:3
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