God’s Word Translation
Genesis 41:38
38So Pharaoh asked his servants, “Can we find anyone like this—a man who has God’s Spirit in him?”
Genesis 41:38 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
- New International Version (NIV)So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
Context of Genesis 41:38
36This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine.” 37Pharaoh and all his servants liked the idea. So Pharaoh asked his servants, “Can we find anyone like this—a man who has God’s Spirit in him?” 39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has let you know all this, there is no one as wise and intelligent as you. 40You will be in charge of my palace, and all my people will do what you say. I will be more important than you, only because I’m Pharaoh.”
Read all of Genesis 41Genesis 41:38 word by word
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר פַּרְעֹ֖ה אֶל־עֲבָדָ֑יו הֲנִמְצָ֣א כָזֶ֔ה אִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֛ר ר֥וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And Pharaohפַּרְעֹהpar‛ôh · PharaohH6547
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto his servantsעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
- Can we findמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
- as thisזֶהzeh · thisH2088
- a manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- in whomאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
- the Spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
- of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
Cross-references for Genesis 41:38
- Numbers 27:18So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit, and place your hand on him.
- Job 32:8However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
- Daniel 4:6So I ordered all the wise advisers in Babylon to be brought to me to tell me the dream’s meaning.
- Daniel 5:11There’s a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your grandfather, he was found to have insight, good judgment, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods. Your grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar, made him head of the magicians, psychics, astrologers, and fortunetellers.
- Daniel 6:3This man, Daniel, distinguished himself among the other officials and satraps because there was an extraordinary spirit in him. The king thought about putting him in charge of the whole kingdom.
Commentaries on Genesis 41:38
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38In whom the Spirit of God is? - אלהים רוח ruach Elohim, the identical words used Genesis 1:2; and certainly to be understood here as in the preceding place. If the Egyptians were idolaters, they acknowledged Joseph's God; and it is not to be supposed that they only became acquainted with him on this occasion. The knowledge of the true God was in Egypt long before; but it is very likely that though they acknowledged his influence with respect to Joseph, as…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. 37-40Pharaoh saw that Joseph was the right person for this work. He recognized that Joseph had the Spirit of God and was wise and understanding. In this way, God showed his rule and authority over Egypt. Israelites who later read this story could trust that God would save them, just as he had promised.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 37-5738. Pharaoh said unto his servants--The kings of ancient Egypt were assisted in the management of state affairs by the advice of the most distinguished members of the priestly order; and, accordingly, before admitting Joseph to the new and extraordinary office that was to be created, those ministers were consulted as to the expediency and propriety of the appointment. a man in whom the Spirit of God is--An acknowledgment of the being and power of the true…Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 41:38
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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