Genesis 41:37-46

Pharaoh Appoints Joseph

There was obvious wisdom seen in the interpretation and suggestions offered by Joseph. Pharaoh realized such wisdom could only come from God who was clearly with this Hebrew. So, he appointed him grand vizier, or prime minister, which made him the most powerful man in Egypt outside of Pharaoh himself. The king gave Joseph his signet ring which would give him authority to issue royal edicts. He also gave him fine clothing and placed a gold chain around his neck. He directed that Joseph was to be driven in the second chariot, which normally followed Pharaoh's in procession, and sent men before him commanding the people to bow their knees.

Joseph was, in the truest sense, made ruler in Egypt since no one was to lift hand or foot without his direction. The king gave Joseph an Egyptian name, Zaphnath-Paaneah. It meant, "sustainer of life." God, through his providence both miraculous and non-miraculous, had caused Joseph to be in a position to sustain the lives of the Egyptian people and, more especially, the Israelites. In addition to his new name, Joseph was given a wife. Her name was Asenath. She was the daughter of the priest of the sun god, which meant she was from the most important caste in the land. It had been thirteen years since Joseph's brothers had sold him into slavery, as Joseph was now thirty years old (Genesis 41:37-46).