What does Genesis 41:34 mean?
Joseph has revealed the meaning of Pharaoh's dreams (Genesis 41:28–32) and is now going beyond that. Despite not being asked for such advice, that we know of, this imprisoned slave (Genesis 41:14–16) is now telling the king of all Egypt how to manage the nation. He has advised Pharaoh to select a wise and discerning man and to give him the political authority to manage the coming famine (Genesis 41:33). For anyone to presume to tell the absolute dictator of a nation how to rule was a risky move. Yet Joseph seems confident that this is the message God wants him to speak.Further, Joseph proposes a group of specially empowered overseers to work under that leader. Together, they should impose a tax on crops grown during the abundant seven years. These years will be immediately followed by seven years of harsh famine. According to Joseph, these administrators should require a full twenty percent of every crop to be given to the Egyptian government during those first bountiful seven years.
Further details about Joseph's plan come in the next verses (Genesis 41:35–36).