And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

Thou shalt be over my house - i:e. the prefect of the palace, the marshal of the court (1 Kings 4:6; 2 Kings 10:5; 2 Kings 15:5; Isaiah 22:15; Daniel 2:1; Daniel 2:9). But Joseph was elevated to higher honours, and invested with greater powers, than such an officer usually possessed.

According unto thy word shall all my people be ruled - literally, kiss. This refers to the edict granting official power to Joseph, to be issued in the form of a firman, as is common in Oriental countries; and all who should receive that order would kiss it, according to the usual Eastern mode of acknowledging obedience and respect for the sovereign.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising