BibleWord.ai› Bible› Genesis› Chapter 41› Verse 16

Genesis 41:16

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 41:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Genesis 41:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
14Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
15And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that when thou hearest a dream thou canst interpret it.
16And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
17And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the brink of the river:
18and, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favored: and they fed in the reed-grass:
19and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
← Genesis 41:15Genesis 41:17 →
← Full Chapter 41 Genesis Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [it is] not in me, etc.] Which expresses his great modesty, that he did not arrogate such skill and wisdom to himself; declaring that he had no such power and abilities in and of himself, to interpret dreams; what he had was a gift of God, and wholly depended upon his influence, and the revelation he was pleased to make to him of such things: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace; such an answer to his request in the interpretation of his dream, as shall give him full content, and make his mind quiet and easy, and which shall tend to the welfare of him and his kingdom. Some render the words as a prayer or wish, “may God give Pharaoh”, etc. f1709; so…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“41:16 Joseph knew that only God could tell what Pharaoh’s dreams meant (cp. 40:8), and he was confident that God would do so, because he had given the dreams for a purpose (41:25, 28).”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Genesis 41 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification