Genesis 41:40

ESV You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."
NIV You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."
NASB You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people shall be obedient to you; only regarding the throne will I be greater than you.'
CSB You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only I, as king, will be greater than you."
NLT You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.'
KJV Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
NKJV You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

What does Genesis 41:40 mean?

In a remarkable turn of events, Pharaoh appoints Joseph to be his second in command over all of Egypt. Pharaoh, demonstrating humility and concern for his kingdom, has recognized that God's Spirit is with Joseph, making him the wisest and most discerning man in all of Egypt (Genesis 41:38–39). He is convinced that Joseph's revelation of God's plan is authentic (Genesis 41:28–32), and he wants Joseph to manage the preparations for the coming seven years of devastating famine (Genesis 41:33–36).

Joseph, for his part, might have been overwhelmed with these events. He woke up that morning in a seemingly endless string of days in prison for a crime he did not commit (Genesis 40:14–15). He will end this encounter as the second most powerful man in all of Egypt, perhaps the most potent nation in the world at that time.

Pharaoh specifically says that Joseph will be over his own house, the palace of Egypt. Every person in the land will respond to Joseph's orders by "kowtowing" or "kissing the ground." In other words, all will be made to obey him. Pharaoh, of course, will continue to hold the throne and the ultimate authority, but he will entrust to Joseph command over everything else. This follows a pattern in Joseph's life, where others entrust him with near-absolute responsibility (Genesis 39:4–5, 21–23).
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