The house of Pharaoh; the household or family, namely, those of them which were chief in place and favour with the king. Joseph makes use of their intercession, either,
1. Lest he might seem to despise them, or to presume too much upon his own single interest. Or,
2. By engaging them in this matter to stop their mouths, who otherwise might have been ready enough to censure this action, which they would have a fair opportunity to do in Joseph's absence. Or,
3. Because it was the custom here, as it was elsewhere, Esther 4:2, that persons in mourning habit might not come into the king's presence, partly because they would not give them any occasion of sadness, and partly because, according to their superstitions conceits, the sight of such a person was judged ominous.