Genesis 41:38

38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God[a] ?”

Genesis 41:38 in Other Translations

KJV
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
ESV
38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?"
NLT
38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”
MSG
38 Then Pharaoh said to his officials, "Isn't this the man we need? Are we going to find anyone else who has God's spirit in him like this?"
CSB
38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone like this, a man who has the spirit of God in him?"

Genesis 41:38 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:38

And Pharaoh said unto his servants
That were about him, and with whom he was consulting about a proper person to be over this affair of gathering in the fruits of the earth in the time of plenty, and laying them up against a time of famine: can we find [such an one] as this [is], in whom the Spirit of God
[is]?
if we search among all the ranks and degrees of men throughout the kingdom, let them be of what character they will, we shall never find a man like this, who appears to have the Spirit of God, or "of the gods", as he in his Heathenish way spoke, and which he concluded from his vast knowledge of things; and especially of things future: hence the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan interpret it, the spirit of prophecy from the Lord.

Genesis 41:38 In-Context

36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”
37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.
38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God ?”
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
40 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.”

Cross References 1

  • 1. Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9; Job 32:8; Daniel 2:11; Daniel 4:8-9,18; Daniel 5:11,14

Footnotes 1

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