The Church Fathers on this verse

Genesis 41:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now therefore let the king provide a wise and industrious man, and make him ruler over the land of Egypt:

Douay-Rheims

וְעַתָּה֙ יֵרֶ֣א פַרְעֹ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ נָב֣וֹן וְחָכָ֑ם וִישִׁיתֵ֖הוּ עַל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

He then elaborated on the significance of the seven oxen and seven ears, indicating that a period of great abundance would precede a severe famine. He advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise leader in Egypt, one who could collect and store provisions during the seven years of plenty, ensuring that there would be sustenance available during the times of scarcity, preventing the famine from becoming utterly devastating.

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

When Joseph addressed Pharaoh by saying, "See the man," he was referencing himself, though he refrained from directly stating his name due to humility. However, he did not indicate anyone else, as he understood that only he could rescue the Egyptians from the impending disaster that awaited them.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.