Genesis 41:39-45 NASB,NASB

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 41:45

45. Zaphnath-paaneah—variously interpreted, "revealer of secrets"; "saviour of the land"; and from the hieroglyphics, "a wise man fleeing from pollution"—that is, adultery. gave him to wife Asenath, the daughter of—His naturalization was completed by this alliance with a family of high distinction. On being founded by an Arab colony, Poti-pherah, like Jethro, priest of Midian, might be a worshipper of the true God; and thus Joseph, a pious man, will be freed from the charge of marrying an... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:37-45

Pharaoh recognized Joseph as one who had unique supernatural powers (Genesis 41:38; cf. Daniel 5:14). He probably did not identify the "spirit" in Joseph as the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. There is no evidence that Pharaoh understood or believed in the God of Israel much less comprehended his triunity. Most likely he thought some deity had manifested himself or herself through Joseph.It was not unknown in Egypt for the Pharaohs to appoint individuals who lacked previous social... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:1-57

The Dreams of Pharaoh and the Advancement of Joseph1. Pharaoh] It is believed that a dynasty of Asiatic (perhaps Bedouin) conquerors, known as the Hyksôs or Shepherd kings, were now in power in Egypt. Their rule lasted for 500 years, until 1700 or 1600 b.c., when a native Nubian dynasty from Thebes expelled the invaders. The court was at Zoan on the eastern frontier of Egypt. The elevation of Joseph to an almost royal position, and the welcome extended to his kinsmen, were natural at the hands... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:40

(40) Over my house.—The chief over the palace was in ancient times next in power to the sovereign, and under the Frankish kings the “major domi,” or mayor of the palace, first usurped the whole royal power, and finally Pepin, the son of Charles Martel, took the name of king as well as the reality.According unto thy word shall all my people be ruled.—The general sense is easy, namely that all the people of Egypt should obey Joseph’s orders, but the translation of the phrase is difficult. The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:42

(42) His ring.—Heb., his signet ring. As decrees became law when stamped with the royal signet, it was naturally the symbol of authority; and so with us, at the formation of a ministry the great seal is formally delivered into the hands of the highest legal personage in the realm, who is thus invested with power.Vestures of fine linen.—The word used here is Egyptian, shesh, and signifies a kind of flax from which linen of great fineness and whiteness was made. Much of the dress of the Levitical... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:43

(43) In the second chariot.—The object of this procession was to display Joseph to the people as their new governor. The Pharaoh, probably, took the chief part in this parade, riding in the first chariot of state.Bow the knee.—Heb., abrech. Canon Cook explains this as meaning rejoice, be happy. It is in the imperative singular, and is addressed by the people to Joseph; for it is said “they cried before him,” that is, the multitude, and not a herald. Naturally, therefore, it is in the singular,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:45

(45) Zaphnath-paaneah.—This word also is Egyptian, and, fortunately, there is no Hebrew word of similar sound to suggest a false meaning. Canon Cook shows that it means “food of life,” or “food of the living.” The LXX. have Psonthom-phanek, which Jerome, on the authority of the Jews in Egypt, translates “saviour of the world.” By “the world,” would be meant the living, as in Canon Cook’s explanation, which, in the sense of “he who feeds the world,” or “the living,” is the best exposition yet... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 41:1-57

Joseph the Optimist Genesis 41:33 Neither the personality nor the public position of Joseph accounts for his effect on posterity. His peculiarity is not that he rises to a pinnacle of earthly splendour. It is that his splendour has come out of his dungeon. I. The portrait of Joseph is a philosophical picture the earliest attempt to delineate a theory of the universe in the form of the narrative. Joseph is made the spokesman of the new evangel. He comes before us as the advocate for optimism.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:1-57

PHARAOH’S DREAMSGenesis 41:1-57"Thus saith the Lord, that frustrateth the tokens of the liars and maketh diviners mad; that confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers; that saith of Cyrus, He is nay shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure."- Isaiah 44:25; Isaiah 44:28.THE preceding act in this great drama-the act comprising the scenes of Joseph’s temptation, unjust imprisonment, and interpretation of his fellow-prisoners’ dreams-was written for the sake... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:37-57

JOSEPH’S ADMINISTRATIONGenesis 41:37-57, Genesis 47:13-26"He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom." Psalms 105:21-22."MANY a monument consecrated to the memory of some nobleman gone to his long home, who during life had held high rank at the court of Pharaoh, is decorated with the simple but laudatory inscription, ‘His ancestors were unknown people.’" -so we are told by our most accurate informant... read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 41:45

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:37-45

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:1-57

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:40

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:42

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:43

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:45

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 41:1-57

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:1-57

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:37-57

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