Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 41:34
Genesis 41:34. Let him appoint officers to take up a fifth part Not by force or violence, but by purchase at the common price, which would probably be very low during these years of plenty. But why only a fifth part, seeing the years of famine were to be as many as the years of plenty? 1st, Because people would live more sparingly in the time of the famine. 2d, It is likely that many persons, in all parts of the country, besides the king, would lay up great quantities of corn, both... read more
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 41:33
Genesis 41:33. Let Pharaoh look out a man It was not presumption in Joseph to offer this advice to Pharaoh, considering that God, by him, had given Pharaoh the fore-knowledge of what was about to come to pass, and what greatly concerned both him and his whole kingdom. Indeed, the advice was only that he should make a practical and proper use of the revelation now made to him. Joseph, in giving this counsel, could have no view to his own advancement to this office; as any thing of that kind,... read more