Genesis 41 · Verse 40

Genesis 41:40

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 than thou.
Genesis 41:40, King James Version

Genesis 41:40 in other translations

BSBYou shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
WEBYou shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.”
ASVthou 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.
YLTthou--thou art over my house, and at thy mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than thou.'
DARBYThou shalt be over my house, and according to thy commandment shall all my people regulate themselves; only concerning the throne will I be greater than thou.
BBEYou, then, are to be over my house, and all my people will be ruled by your word: only as king will I be greater than you.
WebsterThou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

What does Genesis 41:40 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
40. Thou shalt be over my house--This sudden change in the condition of a man who had just been taken out of prison could take place nowhere, except in Egypt. In ancient as well as modern times, slaves have often risen to be its rulers. But the special providence of God had determined to make Joseph governor of Egypt; and the way was paved for it by the deep and universal conviction produced in the minds both of the king and his councillors, that a divine spirit animated his mind and had given him such extraordinary knowledge. according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled--literally, "kiss." This refers to the edict granting official power to Joseph, to be issued in the form of a firman, as in all Oriental countries; and all who should receive that order would kiss it, according to the usual Eastern mode of acknowledging obedience and respect for the sovereign [Wilkinson].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 40 According unto thy word shall all my people be ruled - Literally, At thy mouth shall all my people kiss. In the eastern countries it is customary to kiss any thing that comes from a superior, and this is done by way of testifying respect and submission. In this sense the words in the text are to be understood: All the people shall pay the profoundest respect and obedience to all thy orders and commands. Only in the throne will I be greater than thou - This, in one word, is a perfect description of a prime minister. Thou shalt have the sole management, under me, of all state affairs.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 41:33-45

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…

Read the full comment on Genesis 41:33-45 →

Genesis 41:40 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אַתָּה֙'a.TahyouH859
תִּהְיֶ֣הtih.Yehyou will beH1961
עַל\־'al-overH5921
בֵּיתִ֔יbei.Tihouse myH1004
וְעַל\־ve.'al-and onH5921
פִּ֖יךָPi.khamouth yourH6310
יִשַּׁ֣קyi.Shakit will kissH5401
כָּל\־kol-allH3605
עַמִּ֑י'a.Mipeople myH5971
רַ֥קrakonlyH7535
הַכִּסֵּ֖אha.ki.Se'the throneH3678
אֶגְדַּ֥ל'eg.DalI will be greatH1431
מִמֶּֽךָּ\׃mi.Me.kamore than youH4480

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 41:40

  • Proverbs 22:29

    Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

  • Acts 7:10

    And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

  • Psalms 105:21-22

    He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

  • Daniel 5:29

    Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

  • Genesis 45:8-9

    So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

  • Genesis 39:4-6

    And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

  • Psalms 2:12

    Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

  • Daniel 6:3

    Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

  • Genesis 45:26

    And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.

  • Daniel 2:46-48

    Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

  • 1 Samuel 10:1

    Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

  • Job 31:27

    And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Thou shalt.
39:4-6; 45:8,9,26; Ps 105:21,22; Pr 22:29; Da 2:46-48; 5:29; 6:3
be ruled. Heb. be armed, or kiss.
1Sa 10:1; Job 31:27; Ps 2:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 41:39

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

  • Genesis 41:40

    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 than thou.

  • Genesis 41:41

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

Read all of Genesis 41

Genesis 41:40 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Tú serás sobre mi casa, y por tu dicho se gobernará todo mi pueblo: solamente en el trono seré yo mayor que tú.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Toi, tu seras sur ma maison, et tout mon peuple se dirigera d’après ton commandement; seulement quant au trône, je serai plus grand que toi.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Du sollst über mein Haus sein, und deinem Munde soll mein ganzes Volk sich fügen; nur um den Thron will ich größer sein als du.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Tu eris super domum meam, et ad tui oris imperium cunctus populus obediet: uno tantum regni solio te præcedam.