Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 41:16
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
16. It is not in me ] Rather, “nay, far from it,” as in Gen 14:24. Joseph, as in Gen 40:8, disclaims any power in himself. God’s servant may be His propheta, or spokesman; but he is not as God, nor is he a magician.
an answer of peace ] Joseph replies, with suitable courtesy, literally, “God will make answer with the peace of Pharaoh.” The answer of God will be the well-being of Pharaoh. “Peace,” i.e. “welfare,” as in Gen 37:14, “whether it be well,” lit. “peace.”
LXX , the meaning of which is doubtful: “without God there will be no answer of peace.” Lat. absque me Deus respondebit prospera Pharaoni. The Syriac makes a question of it, “Thinkest thou that apart from God one will answer?” on the lines of Balaam’s answer in Num 22:18; Num 22:38.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 16. It is not in me, c.] biladai, without or independently of me – I am not essential to thy comfort, God himself has thee under his care. And he will send thee, or answer thee, peace thou shalt have prosperity ( shelom) howsoever ominous thy dreams may appear. By this answer he not only conciliated the mind of the king, but led him to expect his help from that GOD from whom alone all comfort, protection, and prosperity, must proceed.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I cannot do this by any power, or virtue, or art of my own, for I am but a man, as your magicians are, but only by inspiration from the great God. Thus he gives the honour from himself unto God, and leads Pharaoh to the knowledge of the true God. For the phrase compare Mat 10:20; 1Co 15:10.
God shall give; or, may God give, & c. It is my desire that God would vouchsafe to Pharaoh a comfortable and happy answer.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [it is] not in me,…. 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”, c. i so as it were addressing his God, that he would be pleased to make known to him his interpretation of the dream to the satisfaction of Pharaoh: but the other sense seems best, which expresses his faith in God, that he would do it, and to whom it should be ascribed, and not unto himself.
i “respondeat”, Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16. God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Joseph added this from the kindly feeling of his heart; for he did not yet comprehend what the nature of the oracle would be. Therefore he could not, in his character as a prophet, promise a successful and desirable issue; but, as it was his duty sincerely to deliver what he received from the Lord, however sad and severe it might prove; so, on the other hand, this liberty presented no obstacle to his wishing a joyful issue to the king. Therefore, what is here said to the king concerning peace, is a prayer rather than a prophecy.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
16. God shall give peace Literally, God shall answer the peace of Pharaoh . Joseph emphatically points out the divine and supernatural aspect of the dreams, and takes no glory to himself .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, “It is not in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” ’
Joseph firmly declares that the gift is not in him. It is God who can reveal the meaning of dreams, and it is He Who will gave Pharaoh an answer that will bring him peace of mind, that is, a true interpretation.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 41:16. And Joseph answered, &c. With pious modesty Joseph answers the king, in almost the same terms which Daniel afterwards used, who was influenced by the same pious and holy principles. See Dan 2:28. He elevates the monarch’s mind to the first cause of the dreams which so troubled him, and engages his attention by causing him to hope that he should give him an answer, of which God himself was the Author: it is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. “I have no more skill than those already consulted; from God alone the interpretation must proceed; and He, I trust, will give a favourable one to your dreams.”
REFLECTIONS.Pharaoh’s dreams remind the butler of his obligations. Hereupon,
1. He acknowledges his faults, partly in so long forgetting Joseph, and partly perhaps as a compliment to Pharaoh’s clemency in forgiving him. He then proceeds to give the character of Joseph, and mentions the experience he had of his sagacity and wisdom. Note; (1.) It is good to remember our sins, when God hath forgiven and forgotten them. (2.) If we have been negligent of our duty, it is time to remember, and return to it. Better late than never. (3.) God’s Providence orders all in the best time and manner for his people. Joseph’s preferment in some measure depended on this delay.
2. We have Pharaoh’s haste to have Joseph’s interpretation. A dream had brought him a slave into AEgypt,and now a dream carries him into the king’s presence and favour.
3. Joseph’s humble reply to Pharaoh’s question. He ascribes the power to God, and wishes, as if bred a courtier, (for true religion breeds genuine courtesy,) Pharaoh’s peace and prosperity in the interpretation. Note; Great gifts must be adorned with deep humility; then only are they truly amiable and excellent.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader! do not overlook Joseph’s humble frame of mind in this answer. Neither forget that precious scripture, 1Pe 5:5 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Ver. 16. It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh, &c.] This is the voice of all that have true worth in them: they are humble upon the knowledge of their perfections; they vilify and nullify themselves before God and men: like true balm, that put into water, sinks to the bottom; or like a vessel cast into the sea, which the more it fills, the deeper it sinks. And this is the bottom and bosom of humility, and very next degree to exaltation, as here.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
It is not: Gen 40:8, Num 12:6, 2Ki 6:27, Dan 2:18-23, Dan 2:28-30, Dan 2:47, Dan 4:2, Act 3:7, Act 3:12, Act 14:14, Act 14:15, 1Co 15:10, 2Co 3:5
peace: Gen 37:14, Luk 19:42
Reciprocal: Gen 40:22 – he hanged Gen 41:25 – God Gen 41:28 – What God Gen 41:39 – General Gen 43:27 – welfare Num 20:10 – we fetch Ecc 8:1 – who knoweth Dan 2:22 – revealeth Dan 2:30 – this secret Zec 4:5 – No Act 27:10 – I perceive Jam 1:17 – good
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 41:16. It is not in me I cannot do this by any virtue, or power, or art of my own; but only by the inspiration of the great God. 1st, Thus he gives the honour to God, to whom it was due, and leads Pharaoh to the knowledge of him. Great gifts then appear most graceful and illustrious, when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise of them to themselves, but give it to God. 2d, He shows respect to Pharaoh, and hearty goodwill to him, supposing that the interpretation would be an answer of peace. Those that consult Gods oracles may expect an answer of peace.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, {g} [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
(g) As though he would say if I interpret your dream it comes from God, and not from me.