Genesis 41:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.

NIV: The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.

NASB: Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants.

CSB: The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants,

NLT: Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials.

KJV: And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

NKJV: So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.

From a rational perspective, Joseph took an enormous risk telling Pharaoh what to do (Genesis 41:33–36) about the coming years of abundance and devastating famine (Genesis 41:28–32). In the ancient world, kings and rulers rarely appreciated advice unless it was specifically requested. Joseph is not an advisor; he is a slave just released from years in prison (Genesis 41:14–16), though his charges were false (Genesis 40:14–15).

Still, the plan he has offered flowed naturally from the revealed meaning of the Pharaoh's dreams. Both were given through the empowerment of God's Spirit who is with Joseph, something Pharaoh himself acknowledges in the following verses (Genesis 41:38–39).

Instead of reprimanding Joseph for breaking social protocol, Pharaoh and everyone else in the room is impressed with his proposal and the spirit in which it was delivered. Joseph's courage in speaking on behalf of his God has paid off.

Genesis 41:37–57 describes Joseph's sudden and breathtaking rise to power. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is convinced that God's Spirit is with Joseph, after seeing him interpret dreams and offer sound advice. He appoints Joseph to be the second most powerful man in the nation. His main task is to prepare for the devastating famine to come. Pharaoh gives to Joseph his own signet ring, along with a new Egyptian name and wife. Joseph sets about to use Pharaoh's authority to gather and store massive amounts of grain. This stockpile, built during the seven years of abundance can then be accessed when the famine strikes (Genesis 47:13–26).

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 1:53:41 AM