Genesis 41:16

41:16 Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “It is not within my power, ¹  but God will speak concerning ²  the welfare of Pharaoh.” ³ 

Genesis 41:38-39

41:38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find a man like Joseph, ⁴  one in whom the Spirit of God is present?” ⁵  41:39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has enabled you to know all this, there is no one as wise and discerning ⁶  as you are!

[41:16]  ¹ tn Heb “not within me.”

[41:16]  ² tn Heb “God will answer.”

[41:16]  ³ tn The expression שְׁלוֹם פַּרְעֹה (shÿlom par’oh) is here rendered “the welfare of Pharaoh” because the dream will be about life in his land. Some interpret it to mean an answer of “peace” – one that will calm his heart, or give him the answer that he desires (cf. NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[41:38]  ⁴ tn Heb “like this,” but the referent could be misunderstood to be a man like that described by Joseph in v. 33, rather than Joseph himself. For this reason the proper name “Joseph” has been supplied in the translation.

[41:38]  ⁵ tn The rhetorical question expects the answer “No, of course not!”

[41:39]  ⁶ tn Heb “as discerning and wise.” The order has been rearranged in the translation for stylistic reasons.