John Gill Commentary Genesis 50:19

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

And Joseph said to them, fear not
That any hurt would be done by him to them, or that he would use them ill for their treatment of him:

for am I in the place of God ?
to receive such homage from you, that you should be my servants, as Saadiah Gaon gives the sense; or rather to take vengeance for injury done, which belongs to God alone: or, "am I not under God" ^F21 ? subject to him, a servant of his, and why should you be mine?

Nor is it in my power, if I had a will to it, to change his purposes, to alter his providences, or contradict his will, and do hurt to those whom God has blessed; and so may have regard to the late patriarchal benediction of his father, under the direction of the Holy Spirit:

Or, "am I in the place of God?" and under him a father of them, as he had been a provider for them, and a supporter of them, and still would be.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F21: (yna Myhla txth) "annon enim sub Deo sum?" Vatablus.