1Pharaoh's two dreams. 9His butler telleth him of Joseph. 14Pharaoh sendeth for and consulteth him. 25He interpreteth the dreams, and giveth Pharaoh counsel. 38Joseph is advanced, and marrieth an Egyptian wife. 46His wise provision in the years of plenty. 50Ephraim and Manasseh are born to him. 53The famine beginneth.
1AND it came to pass at the end of 1two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the 2river.
1 Hebr. two years of days, that is, two complete years. The same phrase is found likewise 2 Sam. 14:28; Jer. 28:3. Also a month of days means a full month, Gen. 29:14.
2 Understand the famous river the Nile, which moistens and makes fruitful the land of Egypt in a most singular manner, by the yearly overflowing of it. Therefore in regard of the excellence of it, it is called the River, without any other addition or apposition. See Exod. 1:22; 2:3; 7:24, 25; so is also Euphrates called the River, without the name added to it, Gen. 31:21.
2And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kinea and fatfleshed; and they fed 3in a meadow.
a cows*
3 Other, brook land, moist meadow, marshes.
3And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, 4ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine 5upon the brink of the river.
4 Hebr. evil, that is, ill-favored, deformed, misshapen. So also verses 4, 20, 21. The fair ones on the contrary are called good, verses 22, 26.
5 Hebr. at the lip.
4And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
5And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rankb and 6good.
b full-grown, ripe, healthy*
6 That is, fair, full, plump.
6And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the 7east wind sprung up after them.
7 The characteristic of the east wind is to burn and singe the fruits and grains, especially in those countries. See Ezek. 17:10; 19:12; Hosea 13:15.
7And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rankc and 8full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a 9dream.
c full-grown, ripe, healthy*
8 That is, full of sap and moisture.
9 To wit, not a natural, but a Divine dream, proceeding from God, and not from any natural causes. Other, this was the dream.
8And it came to pass 10in the morning that his spirit was 11troubled; and he sent and calledd for all 12the magicians of Egypt, and all 13the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto 14Pharaoh.
10 Namely, after he had been awake awhile.
11 See Gen. 40 on verse 6.
d Dan. 2:2.
12 Or, astrologers, sorcerers, or soothsayers, as commonly they are wrongfully called. Understand such as practiced either mere natural, or superstitious, if not many times diabolical arts to foretell or interpret hidden and abstruse things, and to do some strange action. Of such see Exod. 7:11; 8:19; 9:11; Dan. 2:2, 10.
13 Understand all such, as excelled in any sciences, or acuteness of wit and judgment, or much experience. See Exod. 7:11; Dan. 2:12.
14 Namely, the dreams, though the singular goes before. There were two dreams, or a twofold dream.
9¶Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember 15my faults this day:
15 That is, which I at such a time committed against the king.
1016Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the 17captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
16 That is, the king; for the name of Pharaoh was a name common to all the kings of Egypt; so that Pharaoh signified as much with the Egyptians as when we say the king, or, his royal majesty, or as they say in Germany, the emperor, and sire in France. See Gen. 12:15.
17 See Gen. 37:36.
11And we dreamed a dream ine one night, I and he; we dreamed each man 18according to the interpretation of his dream.
e Gen. 40:5.
18 See Gen. 40 on verse 5.
12And there was there with us a 19young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
19 Namely, of about 28 years, as appears in verse 46.
1320And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
20 Hebr. and it came to pass even as he interpreted unto us, so it came to pass.
14¶Then Pharaoh sent and calledf Joseph, and 21they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: 22and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
f Psalm 105:20; Dan. 2:25.
21 Hebr. they made him run.
22 Other, he caused his hair to be cut. Joseph let his hair grow in prison as a token of sadness. See 2 Sam. 19:24, or, after the custom of the prisoners, but now he gives way to be trimmed, and to have his apparel changed, not to appear with a ghastly and mournful face and condition before the king, which was unlawful. See Esther 4:2.
15And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
16And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, 23It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of 24peace.
23 Other, without me God shall, etc., or, it is without me. Thus Joseph endeavors with discretion to turn away Pharaoh’s eyes, which were now fixed on him, from thence to God, from Whom the interpretation of dreams is to be had. See Gen. 40:8, and Dan. 2:28.
24 Hebr. answer Pharaoh’s peace, that is, that which shall serve to the peace and welfare of Pharaoh and that of his own. See Gen. 37 on verse 14.
17And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the 25bank of the river:
25 Hebr. at the lip.
18And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed 26in a meadow:
26 See verse 2.
19And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very 27ill favoured and 28leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
27 Hebr. evil, also in the sequel.
28 Other, empty, wasted.
20And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
21And when they had 29eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
29 Hebr. into her inmost, or, into the midst of her.
22And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and 30good:
30 That is, fair, and so in the sequel.
23And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
24And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the 31magicians; but there was none that could declareg it to me.
31 See verse 8.
g explain*
25¶And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is 32one: God hath 33shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
32 That is, of one kind, for matter of interpretation.
33 That is, what He shall do, or, is about to do. Things to come are often set down in the present tense for with God they are so certain as if they have already occurred, as verse 28, Exod. 9:14; Joshua 11:6; Mat. 24:40; 26:28.
26The seven 34good kine 35are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
34 Hebr. good; see on verse 3.
35 That is, signify seven years. See Gen. 40 on verse 12.
27And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be 36seven years of famine.
36 That is, types and signs of seven such years to come whereby God gives us to understand that in those years He will send a dearth into the land.
28This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
29Behold, there come seven years of great 37plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
37 Hebr. satiety, that is, store of all manner of things whereby men may satisfy themselves, and much overabundance besides.
30And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be 38forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume 39the land;
38 For, commonly, that which is removed from the eye, abides not long in the thoughts of the heart. See verse 31.
39 That is, both people and beasts, which are in the land. So also verse 36.
31And the plenty shall not be known in the land 40by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
40 Hebr. from the face of that famine.
32And for that the dream was 41doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is 42established 43by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
41 It is worth observing that the repetition here implies and signifies the firmness of God’s decree, and the acceleration of the execution.
42 Other, firmly decreed.
43 Hebr. from with, or, by God. Other, in God’s behalf.
33Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
34Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and 44take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
44 Hebr. let him five the land, that is, let him receive the fifth part of the fruit of the land, to wit, at a reasonable price, to sell it afterwards again to the subjects in the time of the dearth, at a rate proportional.
35And let them gather 45all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn 46under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
45 That is, all manner of provision the ground affords which may serve for food.
46 That is, by his command, authority, and order. So Exod. 4:13; 9:35; Num. 7:8, etc.
36And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish 47not through the famine.
47 Hebr. not be cut off, or, destroyed.
37¶Andh the thing 48was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
h Acts 7:10.
48 That is, he was well pleased. See Gen. 19 on verse 8.
38Andi Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom 49the Spirit of God is?
i Psalm 105:22.
49 Understand wisdom and prudence, as God by His Spirit has bestowed on this man in such a singular manner. Thus God wrought and disposed the heart of Pharaoh, to execute His counsel.
39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40Thou shalt be overj50my house, and 51according unto thy word shall all my people 52be ruled: only in the throne will I be 53greater than thou.
j Psalm 105:21.
50 See Gen. 34 on verse 19.
51 Hebr. on, or, according to thy mouth. Thus the word mouth is taken for command, Exod. 17:1; 38:31; Num. 3:16, 39; 4:27; 9:18; Deut. 17:10, etc.
52 Unto a sign of reverence and obedience. It was the custom then, as it is to this day, that the subjects brought the hand to the mouth or kiss the same when any great ones spoke unto them, or laid their commands upon them. Compare Job 31:27; Hosea 13:2, where this phrase is used for an idolatrous exhibition of honor or worship. And thus there is likewise by kissing intimated a willing obedience, as 1 Kings 19:18; Psalm 2:12. Other, at thy mouth shall all my people kiss.
53 Compare this phrase with Gen. 39:9.
41And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, 54See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
54 That is, observe and consider to what dignity and power I have exalted thee.
42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and 55put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of 56fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
55 As a sign of empowering him, to seal all things in his name.
56 A sort of linen, or cloth which was held very precious among the Egyptians, being very fine and white, see thereof Exod. 25:4; 39:27, 29; Prov. 31:22.
43And he made him to ride in the 57second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, 58Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
57 The second next the first, of the king’s own; as a sign that he was exalted next to the king above all the lords of the land, Esther 10:3.
58 Some render the (Hebrew) word abrech, tender father. Tender by reason of his youth, and father, for his office sake; even as the lords of the land are called, the fathers of the fatherland.
44And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, 59I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up 60his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
59 That is, in regard of the royal majesty I am above thee. Others take these words to be an oath, as if he would have said, as true I am king, or, by my royal majesty none shall, etc.
60 That is, propose something or subsist.
45And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name 61Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah 62priest of 63On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
61 That is, interpreter of secrecy.
62 The Hebrew word indeed signifies a priest, but likewise in general the chief in political affairs, and a person of great respect. See 2 Sam. 8:18; 20:26; 1 Chron. 18:17; Job 12:19. Joseph was necessitated by his present employment and engagement to accept this marriage; the children thereof being nevertheless accounted by Jacob as the fathers of two tribes in Israel, Gen. 48:16.
63 The name of a city in Egypt.
46¶And Joseph was 64thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and 65went throughout all the land of Egypt.
64 Hebr. a son of thirty year.
65 Namely, in pursuance of the king’s command to appoint officers everywhere and to prepare storehouses against the dearth to come.
47And in the seven plenteous years the earth 66brought forth by 67handfuls.
66 Hebr. made.
67 That is, as if for one grain, one had gotten handfuls.
48And he gathered up 68all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up 69in the same.
68 That is, all manner of edible grains and fruits; and so in the sequel. Understand this of the fifth part, as verse 34.
69 Hebr. in her midst.
49And Joseph gathered corn 70as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for 71it was without number.
70 This phrase implies an exceeding great quantity, Gen. 22:17; Judges 7:12; 1 Sam. 13:5.
71 That is, it was passed numbering. So likewise Judges 6:5; Job 21:33.
50Andk unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.
k Gen. 46:20; 48:5.
51And Joseph called the name of the firstborn 72Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget 73all my toil, and all my father's house.
72 Hebr. Menasscheh, that is, making to forget.
73 That is, the grief and difficulty, which I have experienced here in Egypt, as well as in my father’s house.
52And the name of the second called he 74Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful 75in the land of my affliction.
74 That is, double fruit.
75 That is, in this very land, in which I have been much oppressed before.
53¶And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
54Andl the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all 76lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was 77bread.
l Gen. 45:6; Psalm 105:16.
76 Namely, located round about; such as were Canaan, Syria, Arabia; as verse 57.
77 That is, all manner of provision of edible grain, and of fruits.
55And when all the land of Egypt was 78famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
78 Namely, when the private provision of the habitants was spent.
56And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened 79all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
79 Namely, all the storehouses, in which the corn and provision was gathered and laid up.
57And 80all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore 81in all lands.
80 Hebr. and all the land came, that is, the inhabitants came from all the bordering countries.
81 Namely, the neighboring countries round about, as before.