Bible Strands
Genesis 41:37
This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his officials.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Joseph has just outlined his seven-year famine reserve plan and addresses Pharaoh and his court. The narrative records the immediate reaction of the Egyptian leadership to this administrative strategy.
The words — The Hebrew phrase וַיִּיטַב הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי (va.yi.tav ha.davar be.enei) literally renders "and the word was good in the eyes of." It denotes official approval of the proposal rather than personal affection.
The thread — This pattern of divine wisdom gaining royal favor appears in Acts 7:10, where Joseph receives wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, and parallels the political acceptance described in 2 Samuel 3:36. Joshua 22:30 also records leaders responding positively to a divinely guided proposal.
Why it lands — The text states that Pharaoh and his officials approved the plan before drawing any conclusion about divine favor. Readers must recognize that God’s practical counsel commands authority over earthly institutions when those institutions submit to it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
Cross-references
- Acts 7:10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.
- Joshua 22:30 When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation—the heads of Israel’s clans who were with him—heard what the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh had to say, they were satisfied.
- 2 Samuel 3:36 All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.
- 1 Kings 21:2 So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”
- Psalms 105:19 until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right.
- Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
- Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.