(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 (1 Samuel 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 1 Chronicles 12:2; 2 Chronicles 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.
In the throne.--Heb., as to the throne, in all that concerns my royal rank, dignity, and rights.
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 as spoke the value he had for him, Zaphnath-paaneah, a revealer of secrets. This preferment of Joseph encourages all to trust in God. Some translate Joseph's new name, the saviour of the world. The brightest glories, even of the upper world, are put upon Christ, the highest trust lodged in his hand, and all power given him, both in heaven and earth.
Thou shall be over my house,...., Have the care of his domestic affairs, and be the principal man in his palace and court:
and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled; not only in his family, but in his whole kingdom; whatever he ordered and commanded them to do, they should it, or "all my people shall kiss" (s), that is, either their hand at the sight of him, or meeting him, in token of respect and veneration shall yield a ready and cheerful obedience to him, of which the kiss was a sign, see Psalm 2:12. The Targum of Onkelos renders it, "shall be fed" (t), supplied with corn, and with all necessary provisions, and so Jarchi interprets it; which is restraining it to that part of his office which concerned the gathering and laying up their stores for time to come; but the Targum of Jonathan is, "shall be armed" (u); and so Aben Ezra makes him the prince or general of the army, or who had the militia at his command, and could arm them when he pleased; but it seems to denote a more large and unlimited power than either of these, even the government of the whole land under the king, who only excepts himself:
only in the throne will I be greater than thou; that is, he alone would be king, wear the crown sit upon the throne, and have all the ensigns of royal majesty, in which Joseph was to have no share; otherwise he was to have an executive power and authority over all his subjects in the land, even to bind his princes at pleasure, and to teach, instruct, and direct his senators, Psalm 105:21.
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 (1 Samuel 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 1 Chronicles 12:2; 2 Chronicles 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.
In the throne.--Heb., as to the throne, in all that concerns my royal rank, dignity, and rights.
and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled; not only in his family, but in his whole kingdom; whatever he ordered and commanded them to do, they should it, or "all my people shall kiss" (s), that is, either their hand at the sight of him, or meeting him, in token of respect and veneration shall yield a ready and cheerful obedience to him, of which the kiss was a sign, see Psalm 2:12. The Targum of Onkelos renders it, "shall be fed" (t), supplied with corn, and with all necessary provisions, and so Jarchi interprets it; which is restraining it to that part of his office which concerned the gathering and laying up their stores for time to come; but the Targum of Jonathan is, "shall be armed" (u); and so Aben Ezra makes him the prince or general of the army, or who had the militia at his command, and could arm them when he pleased; but it seems to denote a more large and unlimited power than either of these, even the government of the whole land under the king, who only excepts himself:
only in the throne will I be greater than thou; that is, he alone would be king, wear the crown sit upon the throne, and have all the ensigns of royal majesty, in which Joseph was to have no share; otherwise he was to have an executive power and authority over all his subjects in the land, even to bind his princes at pleasure, and to teach, instruct, and direct his senators, Psalm 105:21.
(s) "osculabitur", Montanus, Junius, & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt. (t) Cibabitur, Fagius; "cibum capiet", Tigurine version. (u) Armabitur, Pagninus, Munster, Drusius, Cartwright; so Kimchi.