God’s Word Translation
Genesis 41:33
33“Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt.
Genesis 41:33 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
- New International Version (NIV)“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Context of Genesis 41:33
31People won’t remember that there once was plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. 32The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God, and he will do it very soon. “Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. 34Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land to take a fifth of Egypt’s harvest during the seven good years. 35Have them collect all the food during these good years and store up grain under Pharaoh’s control, to be kept for food in the cities.
Read all of Genesis 41Genesis 41:33 word by word
וְעַתָּה֙ יֵרֶ֣א פַרְעֹ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ נָב֣וֹן וְחָכָ֑ם וִישִׁיתֵ֖הוּ עַל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Now therefore let Pharaohפַּרְעֹהpar‛ôh · PharaohH6547
- look outרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: selectH7200
- a manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- discreetבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
- and wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- and setשִׁיתshîyth · to set: makeH7896
- him over the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- of Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםmitsrayim · EgyptH4714
Cross-references for Genesis 41:33
- Daniel 4:27“That is why, Your Majesty, my best advice is that you stop sinning, and do what is right. Stop committing the same errors, and have pity on the poor. Maybe you can prolong your prosperity.”
- Exodus 18:19Now listen to me, and I’ll give you some advice. May God be with you! You must be the people’s representative to God and bring their disagreements to him.
- Deuteronomy 1:13From each of your tribes, choose some men who are wise, intelligent, and experienced, and I’ll appoint them to be your leaders.”
- Acts 6:3So, brothers and sisters, choose seven men whom the people know are spiritually wise. We will put them in charge of this problem.
Commentaries on Genesis 41:33
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 33A man discreet and wise - As it is impossible that Joseph could have foreseen his own elevation, consequently he gave this advice without any reference to himself. The counsel therefore was either immediately inspired by God, or was dictated by policy, prudence, and sound sense.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-57Verses 1-57 - Joseph Was Exalted 1. יאר ye'or “river, canal,” mostly applied to the Nile. Some suppose the word to be Coptic. 2. אחוּ 'āchû “sedge, reed-grass, marsh-grass.” This word is probably Coptic. 8. חרטמים charṭumı̂ym ̓̀ exēgētai ̔͂ hierogrammateis “sacred scribes, hieroglyphs.” חרט chereṭ “stylus,” a graving tool. 43. אברך 'abrēk “bend the knee.” In this sense it is put for הברך habrēk imperative hiphil of ברך bārak Those who take the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 33-45Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 33-36God’s message required a response. It was not given just to satisfy curiosity about the future. Joseph’s advice showed that he was wise and able to plan well. This is why Pharaoh chose him to lead (41:37–40). Joseph set up a system to store food. He placed one main leader over the work and local leaders in each area. He collected one-fifth (20 percent) of the grain and stored it for future needs. Later, wisdom literature (see study note on 37:2–50:26)…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3333. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man--The explanation given, when the key to the dreams was supplied, appears to have been satisfactory to the king and his courtiers; and we may suppose that much and anxious conversation arose, in the course of which Joseph might have been asked whether he had anything further to say. No doubt the providence of God provided the opportunity of his suggesting what was necessary.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 41:33
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 41
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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