Genesis 41:33 - Meaning and Application

Joseph’s first advice to Pharaoh was wise and practical. During the years of plenty, they should store up grain for the years of famine. They should buy grain when it was cheap, so the country could be fed later when food would be scarce and costly. Good warning should always be followed by good counsel. Since God warns us in his word about a coming time of testing and need, we should prepare now and make the most of the times when we can gather what we will later need.

He also said this work should not be left to everyone in general, because what belongs to everyone often ends up being done by no one. Pharaoh should appoint officers to make it their job, and he should choose one man to oversee the whole matter (Genesis 41:33). If Joseph had not given this advice, it likely would not have been done. Pharaoh’s advisers could no more apply the dream than his magicians could explain it, so Joseph was the one who truly gave the court wisdom (Psalm 105:22). As Solomon says, a poor but wise young man is better than an old and foolish king (Ecclesiastes 4:13).

Pharaoh then gave Joseph great honor. First, he gave him a strong testimony: “This is a man in whom the Spirit of God is” (Genesis 41:38). That is a great mark of worth, and such people should be valued. Pharaoh also said there was no one as wise and discerning as Joseph (Genesis 41:39). Joseph was now richly repaid for the shame he had suffered, and his right standing would shine out like the morning light (Psalm 37:6).

Then Pharaoh gave Joseph a great office, not only over the grain supply, but over the whole kingdom’s affairs. He put him over his house, made him the highest official under the throne, and said that all the people would obey his word, or, as some read it, be armed by his command (Genesis 41:40, 41:44). In effect, all the kingdom’s business would pass through Joseph’s hand. Only in the throne would Pharaoh be greater than he (Genesis 41:40). It is wise for rulers to promote those who have the Spirit of God, and it is a blessing for a people to be governed by such men.

There were likely people at court who did not like Joseph’s promotion. That may be why Pharaoh repeated the grant so often and even added the solemn words, “I am Pharaoh” (Genesis 41:44). When Pharaoh first suggested appointing a grain manager, his servants all liked the idea, each hoping for the post (Genesis 41:37). But when Pharaoh named Joseph, we do not read that they answered him. They likely disliked the choice, but had to accept it. Joseph had enemies, no doubt, as Daniel later did (Daniel 6:4), and as the psalmist describes, he had archers who shot at him and hated him (Genesis 49:23).

Pharaoh also loaded Joseph with every mark of honor he could give, to show that Joseph was his favored man. He gave Joseph his own ring, which acted as a seal for his authority, much like giving him the great seal of office. He clothed him in fine garments instead of prison clothes. One who had been in iron chains in the morning was adorned with gold by night. He had Joseph ride in the second chariot after his own, and he ordered everyone to bow before him. Pharaoh also gave him a new name, Zaphnathpaaneah, meaning “revealer of secrets,” to show both his authority and the value Pharaoh placed on him. Finally, he honored Joseph by giving him a prince’s daughter in marriage.

Since God had given Joseph wisdom and other gifts so richly, Pharaoh was not stingy in honoring him. Joseph’s rise was a full reward for his innocent suffering and patient endurance. It shows, in a lasting way, that God governs with justice and kindness, and it encourages all good people to trust him. It also points ahead to the exaltation of Christ, the great revealer of secrets (John 1:18), or, as some explain Joseph’s new name, the Savior of the world. Christ has the brightest glory, the highest authority, and all power in heaven and on earth. He gathers, keeps, and gives out all the riches of God’s grace, and he rules over the kingdom of God among people. The work of ministers is to announce him and say before him, “Bow the knee,” and “Kiss the Son.”