Genesis 41

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:38

In whom the Spirit of God is? - אלהים רוח ruach Elohim , the identical words used Genesis 1:2 ; and certainly to be understood here as in the preceding place. If the Egyptians were idolaters, they acknowledged Joseph's God; and it is not to be supposed that they only became acquainted with him on this occasion. The knowledge of the true God was in Egypt long before; but it is very likely that though they acknowledged his influence with respect to Joseph, as they saw most clearly that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:40

According unto thy word shall all my people be ruled - Literally, At thy mouth shall all my people kiss. In the eastern countries it is customary to kiss any thing that comes from a superior, and this is done by way of testifying respect and submission. In this sense the words in the text are to be understood: All the people shall pay the profoundest respect and obedience to all thy orders and commands. Only in the throne will I be greater than thou - This, in one word, is a perfect... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:42

And Pharaoh took off his ring - and put it upon Joseph's hand - In this ring was probably set the king's signet, by which the royal instruments were sealed; and thus Joseph was constituted what we would call Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. Vestures of fine linen - שש shesh . Whether this means linen or cotton is not known. It seems to have been a term by which both were denominated; or it may be some other substance or cloth with which we are unacquainted. If the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:43

He made him to ride in the second chariot - That which usually followed the king's chariot in public ceremonies. Bow the knee - אברך abrech , which we translate bow the knee, and which we might as well translate any thing else, is probably an Egyptian word, the signification of which is utterly unknown. If we could suppose it to be a Hebrew word, it might be considered as compounded of אב ab , father, and רך rach , tender; for Joseph might be denominated a father, because of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:44

I am Pharaoh - The same as if he had said, I am the king; for Pharaoh was the common title of the sovereigns of Egypt. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:45

Zaphnath-paaneah - The meaning of this title is as little known as that of abrech in the preceding verse. Some translate it, The revealer of secrets; others, The treasury of glorious comfort. St. Jerome translates the whole verse in the most arbitrary manner. Vertitque nomen ejus, et vocavit eum, lingua Aegyptiaca, Salvatorem mundi . "And he changed his name, and called him in the Egyptian language, The savior of the world." None of the Asiatic versions acknowledge this extraordinary... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:46

Joseph was thirty years old - As he was seventeen years old when he was sold into Egypt, Genesis 37:2 , and was now thirty, he must have been thirteen years in slavery. Stood before Pharaoh - This phrase always means admission to the immediate presence of the sovereign, and having the honor of his most unlimited confidence. Among the Asiatic princes, the privilege of coming even to their seat, of standing before them, etc., was granted only to the highest favorites. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:47

The earth brought forth by handfuls - This probably refers principally to rice, as it grows in tufts, a great number of stalks proceeding from the same seed. In those years the Nile probably rose sixteen cubits; See Clarke on Genesis 41:31 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:50

Two sons - Whom he called by names expressive of God's particular and bountiful providence towards him. Manasseh, מנשה menashsheh , signifies forgetfulness, from נשה nashah , to forget; and Ephraim, אפרים ephrayim , fruitfulness, from פרה parah , to be fruitful; and he called his sons by these names, because God had enabled him to forget all his toil, disgrace, and affliction, and had made him fruitful in the very land in which he had suffered the greatest misfortune and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:54

The seven years of dearth began to come - Owing in Egypt to the Nile not rising more than twelve or thirteen cubits; (See Clarke on Genesis 41:31 ; (note)); but there must have been other causes which affected other countries, not immediately dependent on the Nile, though remotely connected with Egypt and Canaan. The dearth was in all lands - All the countries dependent on the Nile. And it appears that a general drought had taken place, at least through all Egypt and Canaan; for it is... read more

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