Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 50:20

"And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." — Genesis 50:20 (ASV)

Ye thought ... God meant. —The verb in the Hebrew is the same, and contrasts man’s purpose with God’s purpose. In Genesis 45:7 Joseph had already pointed out that the Divine providence had overruled the evil intentions of his brothers for good. At the end of the verse much people, or a great people, means the Egyptians.