Genesis 41:40

40 thou -- thou art over my house, and at thy mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than thou.'

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 and Pharaoh saith unto his servants, `Do we find like this, a man in whom the spirit of God [is]?'
39 and Pharaoh saith unto Joseph, `After God's causing thee to know all this, there is none intelligent and wise as thou;
40 thou -- thou art over my house, and at thy mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than thou.'
41 And Pharaoh saith unto Joseph, `See, I have put thee over all the land of Egypt.'
42 And Pharaoh turneth aside his seal-ring from off his hand, and putteth it on the hand of Joseph, and clotheth him [with] garments of fine linen, and placeth a chain of gold on his neck,
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.