37 And the thing is good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants, 38 and Pharaoh saith unto his servants, 'Do we find like this, a man in whom the spirit of God 'is'?' 39 and Pharaoh saith unto Joseph, 'After God's causing thee to know all this, there is none intelligent and wise as thou; 40 thou—thou art over my house, and at thy mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than thou.' 41 And Pharaoh saith unto Joseph, 'See, I have put thee over all the land of Egypt.' 42 And Pharaoh turneth aside his seal-ring from off his hand, and putteth it on the hand of Joseph, and clotheth him 'with' garments of fine linen, and placeth a chain of gold on his neck, 43 and causeth him to ride in the second chariot which he hath, and they proclaim before him, 'Bow the knee!' and—to put him over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh saith unto Joseph, 'I 'am' Pharaoh, and without thee a man doth not lift up his hand and his foot in all the land of Egypt;' 45 and Pharaoh calleth Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah, and he giveth to him Asenath daughter of Poti-Pherah, priest of On, for a wife, and Joseph goeth out over the land of Egypt.
46 And Joseph 'is' a son of thirty years in his standing before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and Joseph goeth out from the presence of Pharaoh, and passeth over through all the land of Egypt; 47 and the land maketh in the seven years of plenty by handfuls. 48 And he gathereth all the food of the seven years which have been in the land of Egypt, and putteth food in the cities; the food of the field which 'is' round about 'each' city hath he put in its midst; 49 and Joseph gathereth corn as sand of the sea, multiplying exceedingly, until that he hath ceased to number, for there is no number. 50 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, 51 and Joseph calleth the name of the first-born Manasseh: 'for, God hath made me to forget all my labour, and all the house of my father;' 52 and the name of the second he hath called Ephraim: 'for, God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of mine affliction.' 53 And the seven years of plenty are completed which have been in the land of Egypt, 54 and the seven years of famine begin to come, as Joseph said, and famine is in all the lands, but in all the land of Egypt hath been bread; 55 and all the land of Egypt is famished, and the people crieth unto Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh saith to all the Egyptians, 'Go unto Joseph; that which he saith to you—do.' 56 And the famine has been over all the face of the land, and Joseph openeth all 'places' which have 'corn' in them, and selleth to the Egyptians; and the famine is severe in the land of Egypt, 57 and all the earth hath come to Egypt, to buy, unto Joseph, for the famine was severe in all the earth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 41:37-57
Commentary on Genesis 41:33-45
(Read Genesis 41:33-45)
Joseph gave good advice to Pharaoh. Fair warning should always be followed by good counsel. God has in his word told us of a day of trial before us, when we shall need all the grace we can have. Now, therefore, provide accordingly. Pharaoh gave Joseph an honourable testimony. He is a man in whom the spirit of God is; and such men ought to be valued. Pharaoh puts upon Joseph marks of honour. He gave him such a name as spoke the value he had for him, Zaphnath-paaneah, "a revealer of secrets." This preferment of Joseph encourages all to trust in God. Some translate Joseph's new name, "the saviour of the world." The brightest glories, even of the upper world, are put upon Christ, the highest trust lodged in his hand, and all power given him, both in heaven and earth.
Commentary on Genesis 41:46-57
(Read Genesis 41:46-57)
In the names of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph owned the Divine providence. 1. He was made to forget his misery. 2. He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction. The seven plenteous years came, and were ended. We ought to look forward to the end of the days, both of our prosperity and of our opportunity. We must not be secure in prosperity, nor slothful in making good use of opportunity. Years of plenty will end; what thy hand finds to do, do it; and gather in gathering time. The dearth came, and the famine was not only in Egypt, but in other lands. Joseph was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came. Joseph was engaged in useful and important labours. Yet it was in the midst of this his activity that his father Jacob said, Joseph is not! What a large portion of our troubles would be done away if we knew the whole truth! Let these events lead us to Jesus. There is a famine of the bread of life throughout the whole earth. Go to Jesus, and what he bids you, do. Attend to His voice, apply to him; he will open his treasures, and satisfy with goodness the hungry soul of every age and nation, without money and without price. But those who slight this provision must starve, and his enemies will be destroyed.