(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]:
So Pharaoh said to Yosef, "Since God has shown you all this - there is no one as discerning and wise as you -
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou:
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:
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
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)