Genesis 41:40
New International Version
You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

New Living Translation
You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”

English Standard Version
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”

Berean Standard Bible
You 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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

New American Standard Bible
You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people shall be obedient to you; only regarding the throne will I be greater than you.”

NASB 1995
“You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.”

NASB 1977
“You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.”

Amplified Bible
You shall have charge over my house, and all my people shall be governed according to your word and pay respect [to you with reverence, submission, and obedience]; only in [matters of] the throne will I be greater than you [in Egypt].”

Christian Standard Bible
You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only I, as king, will be greater than you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
I'm putting you in charge of my palace, and everybody will have to obey you. No one will be over you except me.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You 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."

Good News Translation
I will put you in charge of my country, and all my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine.

International Standard Version
So you are to be appointed in charge over my palace, and all of my people are to do whatever you command them to do. Only the throne will have greater authority than you."

Majority Standard Bible
You 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.”

NET Bible
You will oversee my household, and all my people will submit to your commands. Only I, the king, will be greater than you.

New Heart English Bible
You will be in charge of my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you."

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou 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.

World English Bible
You 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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you are over my house, and at your mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than you.”

Young's Literal Translation
thou -- thou art over my house, and at thy mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than thou.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt be over my house, and to thy mouth all my people shall bend: only upon the throne I shall be great above thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt be over my house, and at the commandment of thy mouth all the people shall obey: only in the kingly throne will I be above thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You will be over my house, and to the authority of your mouth, all the people will show obedience. Only in one way, in the throne of the kingdom, will I go before you.”

New American Bible
You shall be in charge of my household, and all my people will obey your command. Only in respect to the throne will I outrank you.”

New Revised Standard Version
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall be over my household, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled; only on the throne will I be greater than you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You will be over my house, and upon the word of your mouth all my people will accept judgment; only on the throne shall I be greater than you.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt be over my house, and all my people shall be obedient to thy word; only in the throne will I excel thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Given Charge of Egypt
39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40You 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.” 41Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.”…

Cross References
Genesis 39:4-6
Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. / From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field. / So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,

Genesis 45:8-9
Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. / Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.

Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.

Genesis 50:19-20
But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? / As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Exodus 1:8-11
Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” ...

1 Kings 4:6
Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.

1 Kings 4:5
Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king;

Psalm 105:21-22
He made him master of his household, ruler over all his substance, / to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.

Daniel 6:3
Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Esther 10:3
For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

Acts 7:10
and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Treasury of Scripture

You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than you.

Thou shalt.

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…

Genesis 45:8,9,26
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…

Psalm 105:21,22
He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: …

be ruled.

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:

Psalm 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.

Jump to Previous
Charge Command Commandment Greater Homage House Kiss Mouth Order Orders Palace Regards Regulate Respect Ruled Submit Themselves Thou Throne Word You
Jump to Next
Charge Command Commandment Greater Homage House Kiss Mouth Order Orders Palace Regards Regulate Respect Ruled Submit Themselves Thou Throne Word You
Genesis 41
1. Pharaoh has two dreams.
9. Joseph interprets them.
33. He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married.
46. The seven years of plenty.
50. He begets children.
53. The famine begins.














You shall be in charge of my house
This phrase signifies a monumental shift in Joseph's life, from a prisoner to a ruler. The Hebrew word for "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) often refers to a household or a palace, indicating that Joseph is being entrusted with the management of Pharaoh's entire domain. This reflects God's providence and the fulfillment of Joseph's earlier dreams, where he saw himself in a position of authority. Historically, this appointment would have been unprecedented, as Egyptians typically did not elevate foreigners to such high positions. Joseph's rise to power is a testament to his integrity and God's favor.

and all my people are to obey your commands
The phrase underscores the absolute authority granted to Joseph. The Hebrew word for "obey" (יִשַּׁק, yishaq) implies a complete submission to Joseph's directives. This level of authority is rare and indicates Pharaoh's immense trust in Joseph's wisdom and leadership. In a broader biblical context, this mirrors the authority given to Christ over the church, as Joseph becomes a type of Christ, a savior figure for Egypt during the impending famine.

Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you
Here, Pharaoh delineates the limits of Joseph's authority. The "throne" (כִּסֵּא, kisse) symbolizes ultimate sovereignty and kingship. While Joseph is given extensive power, Pharaoh retains his position as the supreme ruler. This distinction is crucial, as it maintains the established order while still elevating Joseph to a position of significant influence. This arrangement reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are given authority under the ultimate sovereignty of God. Historically, this also highlights the unique administrative structure of ancient Egypt, where the Pharaoh was considered a god-king, yet he recognized the need for wise governance through capable leaders like Joseph.

(40) Over my house.--The chief over the palace was in ancient times next in power to the sovereign, and under the Frankish kings the "major domi," or mayor of the palace, first usurped the whole royal power, and finally Pepin, the son of Charles Martel, took the name of king as well as the reality.

According unto thy word shall all my people be ruled.--The general sense is easy, namely that all the people of Egypt should obey Joseph's orders, but the translation of the phrase is difficult. The ordinary meaning of the verb is to kiss, and the translation would then be And on thy mouth shall all my people kiss, that is, they shall do thee homage (1Samuel 10:1; Psalm 2:12). The versions seem to have taken this sense, though they translate very loosely "shall obey thee;" or "shall receive judgment at thy mouth;" or "shall be governed by thee." As however in 1Chronicles 12:2; 2Chronicles 17:17; Psalm 78:9, the verb is used of bearing arms, Aben-Ezra translates "shall arm themselves," and supposes that Joseph was made commander-in-chief. Others, again, form the verb used here from the same root as that which would give meshek in Genesis 15:2 the meaning of "running about," and translate at thy mouth, that is, according to thy command, shall all my people busy themselves. The first is the most natural and probable rendering. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You
אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

shall be
תִּהְיֶ֣ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in charge of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my house,
בֵּיתִ֔י (bê·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1004: A house

and all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

my people
עַמִּ֑י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

are to obey
יִשַּׁ֣ק (yiš·šaq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5401: To kiss, to equip with weapons

your commands.
פִּ֖יךָ (pî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

Only
רַ֥ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

with regard to the throne
הַכִּסֵּ֖א (hak·kis·sê)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

will I be greater
אֶגְדַּ֥ל (’eḡ·dal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

than you.”
מִמֶּֽךָּ׃ (mim·me·kā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


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OT Law: Genesis 41:40 You shall be over my house (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 41:39
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