Genesis 41:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

NIV: And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.

NASB: So now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and appoint him over the land of Egypt.

CSB: "So now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.

NLT: Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt.

KJV: Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

NKJV: “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

In the ancient world, rulers were often treated as deities. Even when the king was not considered an actual god, those around him had to maintain a level of reverence and respect. One would expect advice to come only from those specifically appointed by the ruler, and only when requested. In this verse, however, the king of Egypt—Pharaoh—is receiving advice, unrequested, from a literal slave: Joseph.

Joseph was summoned to interpret dreams (Genesis 41:14–15). He has done so, but not before correcting the Pharaoh by indicating that God is the one with the required knowledge (Genesis 41:16). His interpretation was complete when he explained the impending years of prosperity and starvation (Genesis 41:28–32). And yet, Joseph now continues, presuming to tell the master of all Egypt how he should govern his own nation. If Joseph is afraid as he speaks these words, no indication is given. He likely recognizes this as a unique position, provided by God, and he intends to use his influence for the greatest good.

The advice itself is bold, as well. Pharaoh is, already, ruling over all of Egypt himself. Joseph's suggestion to select a wise and discerning man to manage the coming crisis could be seen as a suggestion that Pharaoh was not up to the task (Genesis 41:34–36). Fortunately for Joseph, the king and his advisors respond well (Genesis 41:37).

Genesis 41:9–36 contains Joseph's explanation of Pharaoh's visions. When Egypt's ruler is bothered by vivid dreams, his formerly jailed cupbearer remembers a young Hebrew. This is Joseph, who explained the cupbearer's dream in prison (Genesis 40:23). Joseph explains that Pharaoh's dreams point to seven years of abundance in Egypt followed by seven years of desperate famine. Joseph boldly proposes a plan to manage the coming crisis.

Joseph's status in Genesis 41 begins as "forgotten Hebrew prison slave" and ends as "the second most powerful man in Egypt." The cupbearer from the previous chapter finally mentions Joseph two years later, when Pharaoh is troubled by dreams which wise men can't interpret. Joseph reveals the meaning of the dreams: seven years of abundance will be followed by seven years of great famine in the land. Pharaoh, recognizing that God's Spirit is with Joseph, makes him second in command over the entire nation and tasks him with preparing for the famine.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers (Genesis 37:24–28). He then excelled in his work for an Egyptian official, only to be falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39:20). There, he accurately interpreted dreams for servants of the Egyptian ruler (Genesis 40:20–22). Unfortunately, the restored cupbearer failed to mention Joseph, leaving him in prison for two more years (Genesis 40:23). A series of disturbing dreams leads to Joseph's audience with Pharaoh. This, in turn, leads to Joseph becoming the second most powerful man in the nation. The following chapters emphasize Joseph's reunion with his family. Details about his administration of food during the famine are recorded in Genesis 47:13–26.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.