Joseph’s dramatic rise from a lowly prisoner to the all-powerful ruler of Egypt brought him unprecedented authority, both in government and in matters of intellect and spirit. The primary approach among commentators is that Joseph was granted absolute power to punish and lock away even Pharaoh's highest officials. He could exercise this authority entirely at his own discretion, without needing the king's approval, and no one dared to protest [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם, מצודות]. This creates a striking irony: the man who was once a helpless captive had reached a position where he could imprison the very princes of Egypt [אבן עזרא].
Some view this authority as a moment of personal closure, suggesting Joseph used his power to imprison Potiphar, the official responsible for his own unjust incarceration [רש״י, מאירי]. Conversely, others interpret this new dynamic not as an act of force, but as an expression of deep affection. Similar to the profound friendship between David and Jonathan, the Egyptian officials became tied to Joseph in their souls, loving him deeply after he successfully interpreted Pharaoh’s dream [רש״י]. On a spiritual level, this control is seen as subduing the spiritual forces of Egypt. By doing so, Joseph ensured that the abundance of food and leadership flowed into the world through a channel of holiness rather than through impure forces [אלשיך].
Beyond his political dominance, Joseph held immense intellectual authority over the wise men of Egypt. These advisors are referred to as elders because wisdom is typically associated with old age, even if some of the men were actually quite young [רד״ק]. Commentators agree that Joseph effectively turned Pharaoh’s advisors into his own students, teaching them profound wisdom that was completely unknown to them [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. This was shown practically through his strategic advice on managing the years of famine [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Sharing this superior knowledge also served to silence any officials who might have objected to a foreign slave being appointed as ruler, as his brilliance proved he was no ordinary person [אלשיך]. Joseph took on the role of a mentor, guiding the elders on how to properly and effectively govern the nation [מאירי]. Finally, some find a deeper spiritual purpose in these teachings, suggesting that Joseph established academies to teach Torah in Egypt, intentionally laying the spiritual groundwork for the future exile of the Israelites [אלשיך].