III. JOSEPH OVER THE LAND OF EGYPT.

44.. am Pharaoh, and without thee, etc.

These words are designed to say that he would back up Joseph with all his power. "I am Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, the absolute ruler. What. say is law; and. say that without thee no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt." All who were loyal to Pharaoh would have to be obedient to Joseph. It is possible that some disaffection on the part of the Egyptians that. foreigner, recently. slave, should be put over them, provoked this emphatic declaration. To "lift hand or foot" was. proverbial expression implying the most extensive authority.

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