Genesis 41:39

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]:

Complete Jewish Bible:

So Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Since God has shown you all this - there is no one as discerning and wise as you -

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

American Standard Version:

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Pharaoh{H6547} said{H559} unto Joseph{H3130}, Forasmuch{H310} as God{H430} hath shewed{H3045} thee all this, there is none so discreet{H995} and wise{H2450} as thou art:

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 41:33

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

Genesis 41:28

  • This [is] the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God [is] about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:25

  • And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh [is] one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he [is] about to do.

Genesis 41:16

  • And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

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Commentary for Genesis 41:39

Genesis 41:39 is set within the narrative of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually taken to Egypt. The verse occurs after Joseph has successfully interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, which foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Impressed by Joseph's God-given ability to interpret dreams and his wise counsel to store grain during the years of plenty to prepare for the years of famine, Pharaoh acknowledges Joseph's unique wisdom and discretion.

Themes of this verse include:

1. **Divine Wisdom**: Joseph's insight is recognized as coming from God, highlighting the theme of divine inspiration and guidance in human affairs.
2. **Recognition of Worth**: Pharaoh's recognition of Joseph's abilities reflects the theme of a foreign ruler acknowledging the worth and talent of a Hebrew, which is a recurring motif in the stories of the patriarchs.
3. **Providence**: The verse underscores the theme of God's providence, as Joseph's gifts are used not only to save Egypt but also to preserve the lineage of Israel during the famine.
4. **Elevation from Adversity**: Joseph's rise from slave to second-in-command in Egypt illustrates the theme of triumph over adversity through faithfulness and integrity.

Historical Context:
The story of Joseph is set in the context of the patriarchal narratives, which describe the origins and experiences of the ancestors of the Israelite people. During this period, the Hebrews were a semi-nomadic people, and their interactions with the great civilizations of the ancient Near East, such as Egypt, were formative for their history and identity. The account of Joseph reflects the cultural and political dynamics of the time, including the importance of dream interpretation in ancient Near Eastern societies and the centralized power of the Pharaoh. The narrative also sets the stage for the subsequent enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt, which is a pivotal event in biblical history.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6547
    There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
    Transliteration: Parʻôh
    Pronunciation: par-o'
    Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh.
  2. Strong's Number: H559
    There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָמַר
    Transliteration: ʼâmar
    Pronunciation: aw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
  3. Strong's Number: H3130
    There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹסֵף
    Transliteration: Yôwçêph
    Pronunciation: yo-safe'
    Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף.
  4. Strong's Number: H310
    There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַחַר
    Transliteration: ʼachar
    Pronunciation: akh-ar'
    Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
  5. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
  6. Strong's Number: H3045
    There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָדַע
    Transliteration: yâdaʻ
    Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
    Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
  7. Strong's Number: H995
    There are 162 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בִּין
    Transliteration: bîyn
    Pronunciation: bene
    Description: a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand; attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).
  8. Strong's Number: H2450
    There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָכָם
    Transliteration: châkâm
    Pronunciation: khaw-kawm'
    Description: from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man).