Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Genesis » Chapter 41 » Verse 12-46

Genesis 41:12-46 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

12 And there was there with us a young man, H5288 an Hebrew, H5680 servant H5650 to the captain H8269 of the guard; H2876 and we told H5608 him, and he interpreted H6622 to us our dreams; H2472 to each man H376 according to his dream H2472 he did interpret. H6622

13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted H6622 to us, so it was; me he restored H7725 unto mine office, H3653 and him he hanged. H8518

14 Then Pharaoh H6547 sent H7971 and called H7121 Joseph, H3130 and they brought him hastily H7323 out of the dungeon: H953 and he shaved H1548 himself, and changed H2498 his raiment, H8071 and came in H935 unto Pharaoh. H6547

15 And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto Joseph, H3130 I have dreamed H2492 a dream, H2472 and there is none that can interpret H6622 it: and I have heard H8085 say H559 of thee, that thou canst understand H8085 a dream H2472 to interpret H6622 it.

16 And Joseph H3130 answered H6030 Pharaoh, H6547 saying, H559 It is not in me: H1107 God H430 shall give H6030 Pharaoh H6547 an answer H6030 of peace. H7965

17 And Pharaoh H6547 said H1696 unto Joseph, H3130 In my dream, H2472 behold, I stood H5975 upon the bank H8193 of the river: H2975

18 And, behold, there came up H5927 out of the river H2975 seven H7651 kine, H6510 fatfleshed H1277 H1320 and well H3303 favoured; H8389 and they fed H7462 in a meadow: H260

19 And, behold, seven H7651 other H312 kine H6510 came up H5927 after them, H310 poor H1803 and very H3966 ill H7451 favoured H8389 and leanfleshed, H7534 H1320 such H2007 as I never H3808 saw H7200 in all the land H776 of Egypt H4714 for badness: H7455

20 And the lean H7534 and the ill favoured H7451 kine H6510 did eat up H398 the first H7223 seven H7651 fat H1277 kine: H6510

21 And when they had eaten them up, H935 H7130 it could not be known H3045 that they had eaten them; H935 H7130 but they were still H4758 ill favoured, H7451 as at the beginning. H8462 So I awoke. H3364

22 And I saw H7200 in my dream, H2472 and, behold, seven H7651 ears H7641 came up H5927 in one H259 stalk, H7070 full H4392 and good: H2896

23 And, behold, seven H7651 ears, H7641 withered, H6798 thin, H1851 and blasted H7710 with the east wind, H6921 sprung up H6779 after them: H310

24 And the thin H1851 ears H7641 devoured H1104 the seven H7651 good H2896 ears: H7641 and I told H559 this unto the magicians; H2748 but there was none that could declare H5046 it to me.

25 And Joseph H3130 said H559 unto Pharaoh, H6547 The dream H2472 of Pharaoh H6547 is one: H259 God H430 hath shewed H5046 Pharaoh H6547 what he is about to do. H6213

26 The seven H7651 good H2896 kine H6510 are seven H7651 years; H8141 and the seven H7651 good H2896 ears H7641 are seven H7651 years: H8141 the dream H2472 is one. H259

27 And the seven H7651 thin H7534 and ill favoured H7451 kine H6510 that came up H5927 after them H310 are seven H7651 years; H8141 and the seven H7651 empty H7386 ears H7641 blasted H7710 with the east wind H6921 shall be seven H7651 years H8141 of famine. H7458

28 This is the thing H1697 which I have spoken H1696 unto Pharaoh: H6547 What God H430 is about to do H6213 he sheweth H7200 unto Pharaoh. H6547

29 Behold, there come H935 seven H7651 years H8141 of great H1419 plenty H7647 throughout all the land H776 of Egypt: H4714

30 And there shall arise H6965 after them H310 seven H7651 years H8141 of famine; H7458 and all the plenty H7647 shall be forgotten H7911 in the land H776 of Egypt; H4714 and the famine H7458 shall consume H3615 the land; H776

31 And the plenty H7647 shall not be known H3045 in the land H776 by reason H6440 of that famine H7458 following; H310 H3651 for it shall be very H3966 grievous. H3515

32 And for that the dream H2472 was doubled H8138 unto Pharaoh H6547 twice; H6471 it is because the thing H1697 is established H3559 by H5973 God, H430 and God H430 will shortly H4116 bring it to pass. H6213

33 Now therefore let Pharaoh H6547 look out H7200 a man H376 discreet H995 and wise, H2450 and set H7896 him over the land H776 of Egypt. H4714

34 Let Pharaoh H6547 do H6213 this, and let him appoint H6485 officers H6496 over the land, H776 and take up the fifth part H2567 of the land H776 of Egypt H4714 in the seven H7651 plenteous H7647 years. H8141

35 And let them gather H6908 all the food H400 of those good H2896 years H8141 that come, H935 and lay up H6651 corn H1250 under the hand H3027 of Pharaoh, H6547 and let them keep H8104 food H400 in the cities. H5892

36 And that food H400 shall be for store H6487 to the land H776 against the seven H7651 years H8141 of famine, H7458 which shall be in the land H776 of Egypt; H4714 that the land H776 perish H3772 not through the famine. H7458

37 And the thing H1697 was good H3190 in the eyes H5869 of Pharaoh, H6547 and in the eyes H5869 of all his servants. H5650

38 And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto his servants, H5650 Can we find H4672 such a one as this H2088 is, a man H376 in whom H834 the Spirit H7307 of God H430 is?

39 And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto Joseph, H3130 Forasmuch H310 as God H430 hath shewed H3045 thee all this, there is none so discreet H995 and wise H2450 as thou art:

40 Thou shalt be H1961 over my house, H1004 and according unto thy word H6310 shall all my people H5971 be ruled: H5401 only in the throne H3678 will I be greater H1431 than thou.

41 And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto Joseph, H3130 See, H7200 I have set H5414 thee over all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714

42 And Pharaoh H6547 took off H5493 his ring H2885 from his hand, H3027 and put H5414 it upon Joseph's H3130 hand, H3027 and arrayed H3847 him in vestures H899 of fine linen, H8336 and put H7760 a gold H2091 chain H7242 about his neck; H6677

43 And he made him to ride H7392 in the second H4932 chariot H4818 which he had; and they cried H7121 before him, H6440 Bow the knee: H86 and he made H5414 him ruler over all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714

44 And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto Joseph, H3130 I am Pharaoh, H6547 and without H1107 thee shall no man H376 lift up H7311 his hand H3027 or foot H7272 in all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714

45 And Pharaoh H6547 called H7121 Joseph's H3130 name H8034 Zaphnathpaaneah; H6847 and he gave H5414 him to wife H802 Asenath H621 the daughter H1323 of Potipherah H6319 priest H3548 of On. H204 And Joseph H3130 went out H3318 over all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714

46 And Joseph H3130 was thirty H7970 years H8141 old H1121 when he stood H5975 before H6440 Pharaoh H6547 king H4428 of Egypt. H4714 And Joseph H3130 went out H3318 from the presence H6440 of Pharaoh, H6547 and went throughout H5674 all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Genesis 41

Commentary on Genesis 41 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 41

Two things Providence is here bringing about:-

  • I. The advancement of Joseph.
  • II. The maintenance of Jacob and his family in a time of famine; for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth, and direct the affairs of the children of men for the benefit of those few whose hearts are upright with him. In order to these, we have here,
    • 1. Pharaoh's dreams (v. 1-8).
    • 2. The recommendation of Joseph to him for an interpreter (v. 9-13).
    • 3. The interpretation of the dreams, and the prediction of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in Egypt, with the prudent advice given to Pharaoh thereupon (v. 14-36).
    • 4. The preferment of Joseph to a place of the highest power and trust in Egypt (v. 37-45).
    • 5. The accomplishment of Joseph's prediction, and his fidelity to his trust (v. 46, etc.).

Gen 41:1-8

Observe,

  • 1. The delay of Joseph's enlargement. It was not till the end of two full years (v. 1); so long he waited after he had entrusted the chief butler with his case and began to have some prospect of relief. Note, We have need of patience, not only bearing, but waiting, patience. Joseph lay in prison until the time that his word came, Ps. 105:19. There is a time set for the deliverance of God's people; that time will come, though it seem to tarry; and, when it comes, it will appear to have been the best time, and therefore we ought to wait for it (Hab. 2:3), and not think two full years too long to continue waiting.
  • 2. The means of Joseph's enlargement, which were Pharaoh's dreams, here related. If we were to look upon them as ordinary dreams, we might observe from them the follies and absurdities of a roving working fancy, how it represents to itself tame cows as beasts of prey (nay, more ravenous than any, eating up those of their own kind), and ears of corn as devouring one another. Surely in the multitude of dreams, nay, even in one dream, there are divers vanities, Eccl. 5:7. Now that God no longer speaks to us in that way, I think it is no matter how little we either heed them or tell them. Foolish dreams related can make no better than foolish talk. But these dreams which Pharaoh dreamed carried their own evidence with them that they were sent of God; and therefore, when he awoke, his spirit was troubled, v. 8. It cannot but put us into a concern to receive any extraordinary message from heaven, because we are conscious to ourselves that we have no reason to expect any good tidings thence. His magicians were puzzled, the rules of their art failed them: these dreams of Pharaoh, it seems, did not fall within the compass of them, so that they could not offer at the interpretation of them. This was to make Joseph's performance by the Spirit of God the more admirable. Human reason, prudence, and foresight, must be nonplussed, that divine revelation may appear the more glorious in the contrivance of our redemption, 1 Cor. 2:13, 14. Compare with this story, Dan. 2:27; 4:7; 5:8. Joseph's own dreams were the occasion of his troubles, and now Pharaoh's dreams were the occasion of his enlargement.

Gen 41:9-16

Here is,

  • 1. The recommending of Joseph to Pharaoh for an interpreter. The chief butler did it more in compliment to Pharaoh, to oblige him, than in gratitude to Joseph, or in compassion for his case. He makes a fair confession (v. 9): "I remember my faults this day, in forgetting Joseph.' Note, It is best to remember our duty, and to do it in its time; but, if we have neglected that, it is next best to remember our faults, and repent of them, and do our duty at last; better late than never. Some think he means his faults against Pharaoh, for which he was imprisoned; and then he would insinuate that, though Pharaoh had forgiven him, he had not forgiven himself. The story he had to tell was, in short, That there was an obscure young man in the king's prison, who had very properly interpreted his dream, and the chief baker's (the event corresponding in each with the interpretation), and that he would recommend him to the king his master for an interpreter. Note, God's time for the enlargement of his people will appear at last to be the fittest time. If the chief butler had at first used his interest for Joseph's enlargement, and had obtained it, it is probable that upon his release he would have gone back to the land of the Hebrews again, which he spoke of so feelingly (ch. 40:15), and then he would neither have been so blessed himself, nor such a blessing to his family, as afterwards he proved. But staying two years longer, and coming out now upon this occasion, at last, to interpret the king's dreams, way was made for his very great preferment. Those that patiently wait for God shall be paid for their waiting, not only principal but interest, Lam. 3:26.
  • 2. The introducing of Joseph to Pharaoh. The king's business requires haste. Joseph is sent for out of the dungeon with all speed; Pharaoh's order discharged him both from his imprisonment and from his servitude, and made him a candidate for some of the highest trusts at court. The king can scarcely allow him time, but that decency required it, to shave himself, and to change his raiment, v. 14. It is done with all possible expedition, and Joseph is brought in, perhaps almost as much surprised as Peter was, Acts 12:9. So suddenly is his captivity brought back that he is as one that dreams, Ps. 126:1. Pharaoh immediately, without enquiring who or whence he was, tells him his business, that he expected he should interpret his dream, v. 15. To which, Joseph makes him a very modest decent reply, (v. 16), in which,
    • (1.) He gives honour to God. "It is not in me, God must give it.' Note, Great gifts appear most graceful and illustrious when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise of them to themselves, but give it to God. To such God gives more grace.
    • (2.) He shows respect to Pharaoh, and hearty good-will to him and his government, in supposing that the interpretation would be an answer of peace. Note, Those that consult God's oracles may expect an answer of peace. If Joseph be made the interpreter, hope the best.

Gen 41:17-32

Here,

  • I. Pharaoh relates his dream. He dreamt that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw the kine, both the fat ones and the lean ones, come out of the river. For the kingdom of Egypt had no rain, as appears, Zec. 14:18, but the plenty of the year depended upon the overflowing of the river, and it was about one certain time of the year that it overflowed. If it rose to fifteen or sixteen cubits, there was plenty; if to twelve or thirteen only, or under, there was scarcity. See how many ways Providence has of dispensing its gifts; yet, whatever the second causes are, our dependence is still the same upon the first Cause, who makes every creature that to us that it is, be it rain or river.
  • II. Joseph interprets his dream, and tells him that it signified seven years of plenty now immediately to ensue, which should be succeeded by as many years of famine. Observe,
    • 1. The two dreams signified the same thing, but the repetition was to denote the certainty, the nearness, and the importance, of the event, v. 32. Thus God has often shown the immutability of his counsel by two immutable things, Heb. 6:17, 18. The covenant is sealed with two sacraments; and in the one of them there are both bread and wine, wherein the dream is one, and yet it is doubled, for the thing is certain.
    • 2. Yet the two dreams had a distinct reference to the two things wherein we most experience plenty and scarcity, namely, grass and corn. The plenty and scarcity of grass for the cattle were signified by the fat kine and the lean ones; the plenty and scarcity of herb for the service of man by the full ears and the thin ones.
    • 3. See what changes the comforts of this life are subject to. After great plenty may come great scarcity; how strong soever we may think our mountain stands, if God speak the word, it will soon be moved. We cannot be sure that to-morrow shall be as this day, next year as this, and much more abundant, Isa. 56:12. We must learn how to want, as well as how to abound.
    • 4. See the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine, that provision might be made accordingly. Thus he sets the one over-against the other, Eccl. 7:14. With what wonderful wisdom has Providence, that great housekeeper, ordered the affairs of this numerous family from the beginning hitherto! Great variety of seasons there have been, and the product of the earth is sometimes more and sometimes less; yet, take one time with another, what was miraculous concerning the manna is ordinarily verified in the common course of Providence, He that gathers much has nothing over, and he that gathers little has no lack, Ex. 16:18.
    • 5. See the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great increase of the years of plenty was quite lost and swallowed up in the years of famine; and the overplus of it, which seemed very much, yet did but just serve to keep men alive, v. 29-31. Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall destroy both it and them, 1 Co. 6:13. There is bread which endures to everlasting life, which shall not be forgotten, and which it is worth while to labour for, Jn. 6:27. Those that make the things of this world their good things will find but little pleasure in remembering that they have received them, Lu. 16:25.
    • 6. Observe, God revealed this beforehand to Pharaoh, who, as king of Egypt, was to be the father of his country, and to make prudent provision for them. Magistrates are called shepherds, whose care it must be, not only to rule, but to feed.

Gen 41:33-45

Here is,

  • I. The good advice that Joseph gave to Pharaoh, which was,
    • 1. That in the years of plenty he should lay up for the years of famine, buy up corn when it was cheap, that he might both enrich himself and supply the country when it would be dear and scarce. Note, Fair warning should always be followed with good counsel. Therefore the prudent man foresees the evil, that he may hide himself. God has in his word told us of a day of trial and exigence before us, when we shall need all the grace we can get, and all little enough, "Now, therefore, provide accordingly.' Note, further, Times of gathering must be diligently improved, because there will come a time of spending. Let us go to the ant, and learn of her this wisdom, Prov. 6:6-8.
    • 2. Because that which is everybody's work commonly proves nobody's work, he advises Pharaoh to appoint officers who should make it their business, and to select some one person to preside in the affair, v. 33. Probably, if Joseph had not advised this, it would not have been done; Pharaoh's counsellors could no more improve the dream than his magicians interpret it; therefore it is said of him (Ps. 105:22) that he taught the senators wisdom. Hence we may justly infer with Solomon (Eccl. 4:13), Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king.
  • II. The great honour that Pharaoh did to Joseph.
    • 1. He gave him an honourable testimony: He is a man in whom the Spirit of God is; and this puts a great excellency upon any man; such men ought to be valued, v. 38. He is a nonsuch for prudence: There is none so discreet and wise as thou art, v. 39. Now he is abundantly recompensed for the disgrace that had been done him; and his righteousness is as the morning light, Ps. 37:6.
    • 2. He put him into an honourable office; not only employed him to buy up corn, but made him prime-minister of state, comptroller of the household-Thou shalt be over my house, chief justice of the kingdom-according to thy word shall all my people be ruled, or armed, as some read it, and then it bespeaks him general of the forces. Him commission was very ample: I have set thee over all the land of Egypt (v. 41); without thee shall no man life up his hand or foot (v. 44); all the affairs of the kingdom must pass through his hand. Nay (v. 40), only in the throne will I be greater than thou. Note, It is the wisdom of princes to prefer those, and the happiness of people to have those preferred, to places of power and trust, in whom the Spirit of God is. It is probable that there were those about the court who opposed Joseph's preferment, which occasioned Pharaoh so often to repeat the grant, and with that solemn sanction (v. 44), I am Pharaoh. When the proposal was made that there should be a corn-master-general nominated, it is said (v. 37), Pharaoh's servants were all pleased with the proposal, each hoping for the place; but when Pharaoh said to them, "Joseph shall be the man,' we do not read that they made him any answer, being uneasy at it, and acquiescing only because they could not help it. Joseph had enemies, no doubt, archers that shot at him, and hated him (ch. 49:23), as Daniel, ch. 6:4.
    • 3. He put upon him all the marks of honour imaginable, to recommend him to the esteem and respect of the people as the king's favourite, and one whom he delighted to honour.
      • (1.) He gave him his own ring, as a ratification of his commission, and in token of peculiar favour; or it was like delivering him the great seal.
      • (2.) He put fine clothes upon him, instead of his prison garments. For those that are in kings' palaces must wear soft clothing; he that, in the morning, was dragging his fetters of iron, before night was adorned with a chain of gold.
      • (3.) He made him ride in the second chariot to his own, and ordered all to do homage to him: "Bow the knee, as to Pharaoh himself.'
      • (4.) He gave him a new name, to show his authority over him, and yet such a name as bespoke the value he had for him, Zaphnathpaaneah-A revealer of secrets.
      • (5.) He married him honourably to a prince's daughter. Where God had been liberal in giving wisdom and other merits, Pharaoh was not sparing in conferring honours. Now this preferment of Joseph was,
        • [1.] An abundant recompense for his innocent and patient suffering, a lasting instance of the equity and goodness of Providence, and an encouragement to all good people to trust in a good God.
        • [2.] It was typical of the exaltation of Christ, that great revealer of secrets (Jn. 1:18), or, as some translate Joseph's new name, the Saviour of the world. The brightest glories of the upper world are put upon him, the highest trust is lodged in his hand, and all power is given to him both in heaven and earth. He is gatherer, keeper, and disposer, of all the stores of divine grace, and chief ruler of the kingdom of God among men. The work of minsters is to cry before him, "Bow the knee; kiss the Son.'

Gen 41:46-57

Observe here,

  • I. The building of Joseph's family in the birth of two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, v. 50-52. In the names he gave them, he owned the divine Providence giving this happy turn to his affairs,
    • 1. He was made to forget his misery, Job 11:16. We should bear our afflictions when they are present as those that know not but Providence may so outweigh them by after-comforts as that we may even forget them when they are past. But could he be so unnatural as to forget all his father's house? He means the unkindness he received from his brethren, or perhaps the wealth and honour he expected from his father, with the birthright. The robes he now wore made him forget the coat of divers colours which he wore in his father's house.
    • 2. He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction. It had been the land of his affliction, and in some sense it was still so, for it was not Canaan, the land of promise. His distance from his father was still his affliction. Note, Light is sometimes sown for the righteous in a barren and unlikely soil; and yet if God sow it, and water it, it will come up again. The afflictions of the saints promote their fruitfulness. Ephraim signifies fruitfulness, and Manasseh forgetfulness, for these two often go together; when Jeshurun waxed fat, he forgot God his Maker.
  • II. The accomplishment of Joseph's predictions. Pharaoh had great confidence in the truth of them, perhaps finding in his own mind, beyond what another person could, an exact correspondence between them and his dreams, as between the key and the lock; and the event showed that he was not deceived. The seven plenteous years came (v. 47), and, at length, they were ended, v. 53. Note, We ought to foresee the approaching period of the days both of our prosperity and of our opportunity, and therefore must not be secure in the enjoyment of our prosperity nor slothful in the improvement of our opportunity; years of plenty will end, therefore, Whatever thy hand finds to do do it; and gather in gathering time. The morning cometh and also the night (Isa. 21:12), the plenty and also the famine. The seven years of dearth began to come, v. 54. See what changes of condition we are liable to in this world, and what need we have to be joyful in a day of prosperity and in a day of adversity to consider, Eccl. 7:14. This famine, it seems, was not only in Egypt, but in other lands, in all lands, that is, all the neighbouring countries; fruitful lands are soon turned into barrenness for the iniquity of those that dwell therein, Ps. 107:34. It is here said that in the land of Egypt there was bread, meaning probably, not only that which Joseph had bought up for the king, but that which private persons, by his example, and upon the public notice of this prediction, as well as by the rules of common prudence, had laid up.
  • III. The performance of Joseph's trust. He was found faithful to it, as a steward ought to be.
    • 1. He was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted, v. 48, 49. He that thus gathers is a wise son.
    • 2. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came, and kept the markets low by furnishing them at reasonable rates out of his stores. The people in distress cried to Pharaoh, as that woman to the king of Israel (2 Ki. 6:26), Help, my lord, O king: he sent them to his treasurer, Go to Joseph. Thus God in the gospel directs those that apply to him for mercy and grace to go to the Lord Jesus, in whom all fulness dwells; and, What he saith to you, do. Joseph, no doubt, with wisdom and justice fixed the price of the corn he sold, so that Pharaoh, whose money had bought it up, might have a reasonable profit, and yet the country might not be oppressed, nor advantage taken of their prevailing necessity; while he that withholdest corn when it is dear, in hopes it will yet grow dearer, though people perish for want of it, has many a curse for so doing (and it is not a curse causeless), blessings shall be upon the head of him that thus selleth it, Prov. 11:26. And let the price be determined by that golden rule of justice, to do as we would be done by.