Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 50:19

"And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?" — Genesis 50:19 (ASV)

Am I in the place of God? —That is, am I to act as judge, and punish? Judges are sometimes in Hebrew even called God (Exodus 22:8–9; 1 Samuel 2:25), as exercising His authority.