Genesis 41:37-45

Genesis 41:37-45

[37] And the thing  was good  in the eyes  of Pharaoh,  and in the eyes  of all his servants.  [38] And Pharaoh  said  unto his servants,  Can we find  such a one as this  is, a man  in whom  the Spirit  of God  is? [39] And Pharaoh  said  unto Joseph,  Forasmuch  as God  hath shewed  thee all this, there is none so discreet  and wise  [40] 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  [41] And Pharaoh  said  unto Joseph,  See,  I have set  thee over all the land  of Egypt.  [42] And Pharaoh  took off  his ring  from his hand,  and put  it upon Joseph's  hand,  and arrayed  him in vestures  of fine linen,  and put  a gold  chain  about his neck;  [43] And he made him to ride  in the second  chariot  which he had; and they cried  before him,  Bow the knee:  and he made  him ruler over all the land  of Egypt.  [44] And Pharaoh  said  unto Joseph,  I am Pharaoh,  and without  thee shall no man  lift up  his hand  or foot  in all the land  of Egypt.  [45] And Pharaoh  called  Joseph's  name  Zaphnathpaaneah;  and he gave  him to wife  Asenath  the daughter  of Potipherah  priest  of On.  And Joseph  went out  over all the land  of Egypt. 

What does Genesis 41:37-45 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Pharaoh recognized Joseph as one who had unique supernatural powers ( Genesis 41:38; cf. Daniel 5:14). He probably did not identify the "spirit" in Joseph as the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. There is no evidence that Pharaoh understood or believed in the God of Israel much less comprehended his triunity. Most likely he thought some deity had manifested himself or herself through Joseph.
It was not unknown in Egypt for the Pharaohs to appoint individuals who lacked previous social station or political rank to positions of authority in the government.
"At any time the king would-and did-appoint outsiders. In fact, the noteworthy careers, as preserved for us in tomb inscriptions, broke through all departmental limitations. Men of humble origin could rise to the top once their gifts were recognized; and we find that they were called to a succession of posts which would seem to us to have required entirely different preparatory training." [1]
To naturalize Joseph, Pharaoh gave him an Egyptian name ( Genesis 41:45; cf. Daniel 1:7) and an Egyptian wife from an appropriate level of society. Joseph"s father-in-law was evidently a high-ranking priest in the celebrated temple of the sun located in the city of On (Gr. Heliopolis) 10 miles northeast of modern Cairo.
"The high priest at On held the exalted title "Greatest of Seers." Joseph thus marries into the elite of Egyptian nobility." [2]
Joseph"s marriage to an Egyptian seems to have been Pharaoh"s order, and God permitted it. The patriarchs generally avoided marrying Canaanites because of God"s curse on Canaan ( Genesis 9:25), but marriage to non-Canaanite Gentiles was less serious. Joseph"s wife and in-laws did not turn him away from his faith in Yahweh or his high regard for God"s promises to his forefathers (cf. Moses).