TRV
Translation
King James Version
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
Complete Jewish Bible
Two sons were born to Yosef before the year of famine came; Osnat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On bore them to him.
Berean Standard Bible
Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
American Standard Version
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On, bare unto him.
World English Bible Messianic
To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Now vnto Ioseph were borne two sonnes (before the yeeres of famine came) which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah prince of On bare vnto him.
Young's Literal Translation
And to Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine cometh, whom Asenath daughter of Poti-Pherah, priest of On, hath borne to him,
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 1,246 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Genesis 41 verses 46–57
46 ¶ And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Observe here, I. The building of Joseph's family in the birth of two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Gen 41:50-52. In the names he gave them, he owned the divine Providence giving this happy turn to his affairs, 1. He was made to forget his misery, Job 11:16. We should bear our afflictions when they are present as those that know not but Providence may so outweigh them by after-comforts as that we may even forget them when they are past. But could he be so unnatural as to forget all his father's house? He means the unkindness he received from his brethren, or perhaps the wealth and honour he expected from his father, with the birthright. The robes he now wore made him forget the coat of divers colours which he wore in his father's house. 2. He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction. It had been the land of his affliction, and in some sense it was still so, for it was not Canaan, the land of promise. His distance from his father was still his affliction. Note, Light is sometimes sown for the righteous in a barren and unlikely soil; and yet if God sow it, and water it, it will come up again. The afflictions of the saints promote their fruitfulness. Ephraim signifies fruitfulness, and Manasseh forgetfulness, for these two often go together; when Jeshurun waxed fat, he forgot God his Maker.
II. The accomplishment of Joseph's predictions. Pharaoh had great confidence in the truth of them, perhaps finding in his own mind, beyond what another person could, an exact correspondence between them and his dreams, as between the key and the lock; and the event showed that he was not deceived. The seven plenteous years came (Gen 41:47), and, at length, they were ended, Gen 41:53. Note, We ought to foresee the approaching period of the days both of our prosperity and of our opportunity, and therefore must not be secure in the enjoyment of our prosperity nor slothful in the improvement of our opportunity; years of plenty will end, therefore, Whatever thy hand finds to do do it; and gather in gathering time. The morning cometh and also the night (Isa 21:12), the plenty and also the famine. The seven years of dearth began to come, Gen 41:54. See what changes of condition we are liable to in this world, and what need we have to be joyful in a day of prosperity and in a day of adversity to consider, Ecc 7:14. This famine, it seems, was not only in Egypt, but in other lands, in all lands, that is, all the neighbouring countries; fruitful lands are soon turned into barrenness for the iniquity of those that dwell therein, Psa 107:34. It is here said that in the land of Egypt there was bread, meaning probably, not only that which Joseph had bought up for the king, but that which private persons, by his example, and upon the public notice of this prediction, as well as by the rules of common prudence, had laid up.
III. The performance of Joseph's trust. He was found faithful to it, as a steward ought to be. 1. He was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted, Gen 41:48, Gen 41:49. He that thus gathers is a wise son. 2. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came, and kept the markets low by furnishing them at reasonable rates out of his stores. The people in distress cried to Pharaoh, as that woman to the king of Israel (Kg2 6:26), Help, my lord, O king: he sent them to his treasurer, Go to Joseph. Thus God in the gospel directs those that apply to him for mercy and grace to go to the Lord Jesus, in whom all fulness dwells; and, What he saith to you, do. Joseph, no doubt, with wisdom and justice fixed the price of the corn he sold, so that Pharaoh, whose money had bought it up, might have a reasonable profit, and yet the country might not be oppressed, nor advantage taken of their prevailing necessity; while he that withholdest corn when it is dear, in hopes it will yet grow dearer, though people perish for want of it, has many a curse for so doing (and it is not a curse causeless), blessings shall be upon the head of him that thus selleth it, Pro 11:26. And let the price be determined by that golden rule of justice, to do as we would be done by.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 46–57. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Genesis 41:50 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Genesis 41:50 meticulously records the establishment of Joseph's personal legacy in Egypt, detailing the birth of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, through his Egyptian wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On. This pivotal moment, occurring "before the years of famine came," underscores God's precise providential timing, securing Joseph's lineage and position as a key figure in the unfolding narrative of Israel's preservation and growth.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 41:50 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse, marking a moment of personal fulfillment and divine orchestration in Joseph's life. It bridges the period of his administrative setup and the onset of the famine, highlighting God's meticulous timing and care.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs Divine Foresight and Symbolism. The explicit mention that the sons were born "before the years of famine came" is a testament to God's Divine Foresight, demonstrating His meticulous planning and preparation for Joseph and, by extension, for the nascent nation of Israel. This timing is not coincidental but divinely orchestrated, ensuring Joseph's personal stability before his public responsibilities intensified. Furthermore, the very act of Joseph, a Hebrew, marrying an Egyptian priest's daughter and having children in a foreign land carries profound Symbolism. It symbolizes God's ability to work through unexpected means and in unexpected places to fulfill His covenant promises. The fruitfulness of Joseph in Egypt, despite his earlier suffering, symbolizes God's power to bring life and prosperity even in seemingly barren or hostile environments, foreshadowing the later immense growth of Israel in Egypt.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:50 is a powerful testament to God's unwavering providence and His meticulous orchestration of events in the lives of His chosen people. After years of suffering, betrayal, and injustice, Joseph experiences profound blessing and fruitfulness, signifying God's faithfulness in turning sorrow into joy and establishing Joseph's legacy. The specific timing of these births, "before the years of famine came," underscores God's perfect timing and preparation, ensuring Joseph was personally settled and his lineage secured before the immense pressures of his administrative duties during the famine. This divine foresight highlights that God's plan is comprehensive, accounting for both personal well-being and the broader redemptive narrative. Joseph's integration into the highest echelons of Egyptian society through this marriage, while raising questions about religious purity from a later Mosaic perspective, primarily demonstrates God's sovereignty in positioning Joseph precisely where he needed to be to fulfill His purposes for Israel's preservation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 41:50 offers a profound lesson in trusting God's intricate timing and sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem bleak or unconventional. Joseph's life, marked by betrayal and imprisonment, culminates in a season of extraordinary blessing and fruitfulness, strategically positioned before a global crisis. This encourages believers to recognize that periods of personal flourishing and establishment, like Joseph's, are often God's preparation for future challenges and greater responsibilities. It reminds us that God can bring forth life and purpose even in seemingly foreign or hostile environments, integrating us into contexts that, from a human perspective, might seem contradictory to our faith, yet are divinely appointed for His glory. Our task is to remain faithful, trusting that God is always working, even in the background, to align our lives with His overarching redemptive plan, preparing us for whatever lies ahead and ensuring our fruitfulness in His service.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is it significant that Joseph's sons were born "before the years of famine came"?
Answer: This detail highlights God's perfect timing and providential care. It ensured Joseph had a period of stability and personal flourishing to establish his family before the immense pressures of administering Egypt during the famine years began. This underscores divine preparation, allowing Joseph to be fully ready—personally and professionally—for his monumental task of preserving life throughout the known world Genesis 41:57.
What does Joseph's marriage to an Egyptian woman, Asenath, imply about his faith?
Answer: While the Law of Moses (given centuries later) would prohibit such intermarriages for Israelites, Joseph lived under the patriarchal covenant. His marriage to Asenath, daughter of a pagan priest, demonstrates God's sovereignty in placing Joseph in a position of immense influence. It was a strategic alliance that facilitated his role in preserving the lineage of Israel and sustaining the region, rather than necessarily indicating a compromise of Joseph's personal faith, which remained steadfast throughout his life, as evidenced by his consistent reliance on God and his later statements in Genesis 45:7-8.
Who was Potipherah, priest of On, and why is his role mentioned?
Answer: Potipherah was a high-ranking priest in On (Heliopolis), a major religious and intellectual center in ancient Egypt, primarily dedicated to the sun god Ra. His mention emphasizes Asenath's high social standing and Joseph's deep integration into the highest echelons of Egyptian society. This connection was crucial for Joseph's authority and effectiveness in his role as Pharaoh's prime minister, granting him legitimacy and access within the Egyptian power structure, which was essential for fulfilling God's plan to preserve His people Genesis 41:45.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 41:50, while not directly prophetic of Christ, beautifully illustrates profound themes that find their ultimate and complete fulfillment in Him. Joseph, through divine providence, is elevated to a position of unparalleled power to save a people from physical famine, much like Christ, the ultimate deliverer, is exalted to save humanity from spiritual death and eternal judgment. The establishment of Joseph's lineage through his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, ensures the continuation of the family line from which the Messiah would eventually come, highlighting God's meticulous faithfulness to His covenant promises from Genesis 3:15 onward. This verse speaks to God's precise timing and preparation, demonstrating the same divine foresight and faithfulness that would ultimately lead to the incarnation, life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as Joseph provided bread for a starving world, Jesus declares Himself the "bread of life" John 6:35, offering eternal sustenance. His ultimate act of salvation, securing true fruitfulness and deliverance, is freely given to all who believe, fulfilling the pattern of divine provision seen in Joseph's life. Through Christ, the true "greater Joseph," God brings spiritual prosperity and eternal life, even in a world plagued by the famine of sin John 10:10.