Genesis 41:16

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

And Joseph {H3130} answered {H6030} Pharaoh {H6547}, saying {H559}, It is not in me {H1107}: God {H430} shall give {H6030} Pharaoh {H6547} an answer {H6030} of peace {H7965}.

Yosef answered Pharaoh, "It isn't in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer that will set his mind at peace."

โ€œI myself cannot do it,โ€ Joseph replied, โ€œbut God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.โ€

And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

Commentary

Genesis 41:16 (KJV) presents a pivotal moment in the life of Joseph, showcasing his profound humility and unwavering faith in God before the most powerful ruler of his time, Pharaoh. This verse sets the stage for God's divine intervention in saving Egypt and the surrounding nations from a devastating famine.

Context

Having been unjustly imprisoned for years, Joseph is suddenly summoned from his dungeon to stand before Pharaoh, who is deeply troubled by two enigmatic dreams. None of Egypt's wise men or magicians could interpret them, leaving the king in distress. The chief butler, remembering Joseph's accurate interpretation of his own dream and the baker's dream while they were in prison (see Genesis 40), recommends Joseph to Pharaoh. This verse captures Joseph's immediate response to Pharaoh's question, "Canst thou interpret a dream?"

Key Themes

  • Profound Humility: Joseph's opening words, "It is not in me," immediately deflect any personal credit or ability. Despite being presented with a unique opportunity for freedom and elevation, he denies his own power, demonstrating a core biblical virtue (compare James 4:6). This stands in stark contrast to the self-aggrandizement often seen in positions of power.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Revelation: Joseph unequivocally states, "God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." This highlights that God is the ultimate source of wisdom, understanding, and revelation, not human intellect or magic. God is actively involved in the affairs of men, even the dreams of a pagan king, orchestrating events for His purposes (as seen with Daniel in Babylon).
  • God's Presence with Joseph: This declaration is a testament to Joseph's enduring faith and the Lord's consistent presence with him, even through years of hardship and injustice (as noted in Genesis 39:2). His trust in God remained unshaken, and he recognized that any insight he possessed came directly from above.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "It is not in me" (Hebrew: ืœึนื ืึฒื ึดื™ โ€“ *lo anรญ*) literally means "not I" or "without me." It is a strong negation of personal capability, emphasizing Joseph's complete reliance on a higher power. The term "answer of peace" (Hebrew: ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื โ€“ *shalom*) is significant. While often translated simply as 'peace,' *shalom* encompasses much more: completeness, soundness, well-being, prosperity, security, and wholeness. Thus, God's answer would not merely be an interpretation, but a beneficial and comprehensive solution that would bring well-being and prosperity to Pharaoh and his kingdom.

Practical Application

Joseph's response in Genesis 41:16 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Attribute Success to God: When given opportunities or achieving success, whether in our careers, ministries, or personal lives, we should humbly acknowledge that our abilities and insights come from God.
  • Humility in Influence: Even in positions of authority or when facing significant challenges, maintaining a humble posture before God and others is crucial. True wisdom begins with acknowledging God's supremacy.
  • Trust in Divine Guidance: Joseph teaches us to trust that God can provide clarity and solutions even in the most perplexing situations, and that He can use unexpected individuals and circumstances to accomplish His will.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God exalts the humble and uses those who are willing to be His instruments, not their own.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 3:5 (13 votes)

    Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;

  • Genesis 40:8 (6 votes)

    And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you.

  • Daniel 2:47 (5 votes)

    The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth [it is], that your God [is] a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

  • Acts 3:12 (4 votes)

    ยถ And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

  • Numbers 12:6 (4 votes)

    And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

  • Daniel 2:28 (3 votes)

    But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

  • Daniel 2:30 (3 votes)

    But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for [any] wisdom that I have more than any living, but for [their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.