Genesis 41:37-45

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 41:33-45

Here is, I. The good advice that Joseph gave to Pharaoh, which was, 1. That in the years of plenty he should lay up for the years of famine, buy up corn when it was cheap, that he might both enrich himself and supply the country when it would be dear and scarce. Note, Fair warning should always be followed with good counsel. Therefore the prudent man foresees the evil, that he may hide himself. God has in his word told us of a day of trial and exigence before us, when we shall need all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:37

And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh ,.... He approved of the advice Joseph gave, and of the scheme and plan which he proposed: and in the eyes of all his servants ; his nobles, ministers of state and courtiers, all highly commended and applauded it; and it was with the general and unanimous consent of all agreed that it should be put into execution: but then the next question, and the thing to be considered, was, who was a person fit to be engaged in such an affair? read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:39

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph ,.... After his servants had agreed to his being the man: at least Pharaoh had declared his mind that he should be the person; which if any of them disliked, as probably might be the case of some through envy, and as desirous of the post themselves, yet durst not make any opposition to it: forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this ; the interpretation of his dreams, what would be hereafter for fourteen years to come, what was advisable to be done for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 ישק "osculabitur", Montanus, Junius, & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt. , that is, either their hand at the sight of him, or meeting him, in token of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:41

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph ,.... He continued speaking to him for the greater confirmation of what he had said, and for further explanation of it: see, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt ; not merely as the corn master general, to take care of a provision of corn in time of plenty, against a time of scarcity, but as a viceroy or deputy governor over the whole land, as appears by the ensigns of honour and dignity bestowed on him; of which in the following verses. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:42

And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand ,.... Which, as it was expressive of the interest he had in his royal favour, so was a token of that high office and great dignity to which he was promoted: thus among the Romans, in later times, when anyone was put into the equestrian order, a ring was given to him F23 Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 33. c. 1. ; for originally none but knights were allowed to wear rings; and it was sometimes used to design a successor in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:43

And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had ,.... By which it appeared that he was next to Pharaoh, but not above him; as kings were wont to have more chariots than one, those were distinguished by first, second, &c.; being of greater state the one than the other, see 2 Chronicles 35:24 , and they cried before him, bow the knee ; that is, his guard that attended him, when he rode out in his chariot, called to the people, as they passed along, to bow the knee to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:44

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh ,.... Or I am king, which the word Pharaoh signifies, as Josephus F26 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 6. sect. 2. says; and that this is not a proper name, but a title of office, seems plain from these words; and the sense either is, that though Pharaoh had raised Joseph to such high honour and dignity, yet he alone was king: or this he said to show his power and authority to do what he had done, and would stand by him, and support him in his office and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:45

And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah ,.... Which, according to the paraphrase of Onkelos, signifies one to whom hidden things are revealed; or, as Jonathan, a revealer of secrets; and so most of the Jewish writers explain it; and which seems to be given him from his interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, and revealing what was hereafter to come to pass. The word is only used in this place, at least the latter part of it and Aben Ezra confesses his ignorance of it, whether it is an... read more

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