Genesis 41:38

38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God ^[a] abides?”

Genesis 41:38 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:38

And Pharaoh said unto his servants
That were about him, and with whom he was consulting about a proper person to be over this affair of gathering in the fruits of the earth in the time of plenty, and laying them up against a time of famine: can we find [such an one] as this [is], in whom the Spirit of God
[is]?
if we search among all the ranks and degrees of men throughout the kingdom, let them be of what character they will, we shall never find a man like this, who appears to have the Spirit of God, or "of the gods", as he in his Heathenish way spoke, and which he concluded from his vast knowledge of things; and especially of things future: hence the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan interpret it, the spirit of prophecy from the Lord.

Genesis 41:38 In-Context

36 This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land of Egypt. Then the country will not perish in the famine.”

37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his officials.

38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?”

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

40 You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Footnotes

• [a]. Or the spirit of the gods