Genesis 41:38

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 should be held in storage for the land in preparation for the seven years of famine that will occur throughout the land of Egypt. In this way the land will survive the famine.” 37This advice made sense to Pharaoh and all his officials. So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find a man like Joseph, one in whom the Spirit of God is present?” 39So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has enabled you to know all this, there is no one as wise and discerning as you are! 40You will oversee my household, and all my people will submit to your commands. Only I, the king, will be greater than you.

Genesis 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 27:18The Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is such a spirit, and lay your hand on him;
• Job 32:8But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand.
• Daniel 4:6So I issued an order for all the wise men of Babylon to be brought before me so that they could make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
• Daniel 5:11There is a man in your kingdom who has within him a spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, he proved to have insight, discernment, and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him chief of the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners.
• Daniel 6:3Now this Daniel was distinguishing himself above the other supervisors and the satraps, for he had an extraordinary spirit. In fact, the king intended to appoint him over the entire 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

• Civil Service
• Economics
• Government
• Holy Spirit
• Joseph
• Prisoners
• Promotion
• Prophets
• Prudence
• Rulers
• Servant
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• God
• Pharaoh
• Pharaoh, king of Egypt
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Appoint
• Array
• Cry
• Discreet
• Dungeon
• Empty

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