King James Version

What Does Genesis 41:50 Mean?

Genesis 41:50 in the King James Version says “And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of O...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. priest: or, prince”

Genesis 41:50 · KJV

Context

48

And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

49

And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

50

And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. priest: or, prince

51

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. Manasseh: that is, Forgetting

52

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. Ephraim: that is, Fruitful

Read Genesis 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Po... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How should this truth about Famine Preparation shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וּלְיוֹסֵ֤ף1 of 17

“And unto Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

יָֽלְדָה2 of 17

“bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

שְׁנֵ֣י3 of 17

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בָנִ֔ים4 of 17

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בְּטֶ֥רֶם5 of 17
H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

תָּב֖וֹא6 of 17

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁנַ֣ת7 of 17

“before the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָֽרָעָ֑ב8 of 17

“of famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר9 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָֽלְדָה10 of 17

“bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לּוֹ֙11 of 17
H0
אָֽסְנַ֔ת12 of 17

“which Asenath”

H621

asenath, the wife of joseph

בַּת13 of 17

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

פּ֥וֹטִי14 of 17
H0
פֶ֖רַע15 of 17

“of Potipherah”

H6319

poti-phera, an egyptian

כֹּהֵ֥ן16 of 17

“priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֽוֹן׃17 of 17

“of On”

H204

on, a city of egypt

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 41:50 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 41:50 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 46:20Genesis 48:52 Samuel 8:18Genesis 41:45

Places in This Verse

HeliopolisSettlement · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E5 verses across 3 books
View all places in Genesis 41 →

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 41 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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