Genesis 41:38

38 and Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man with more God-given gifts than this one?"

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 reserved for the seven years of famine to follow in the land of Egypt so that the land won't be ravaged by the famine."
37 This advice seemed wise to Pharaoh and all his servants,
38 and Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man with more God-given gifts than this one?"
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, no one is as intelligent and wise as you are.
40 You will be in charge of my kingdom, and all my people will obey your command. Only as the enthroned king will I be greater than you."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or like this one, in whom is the spirit of God
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