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The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:2
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored kine and fat-fleshed. According to Plutarch and Clement of Alexandria, the heifer was regarded by the ancient Egyptians as a symbol of the earth, agricultur…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:3
And, behold, seven other kind came up after them out of the river, ill. favored and lean-fleshed. The second seven cows, "evil to look upon," i.e. bad in appearance, and "thin (beaten small, dakoth, from dakak, to crush…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:4
And the ill-favored and lean fleshed kine did eat up the seven we favored and fat kine—without there being any effect to show that they had eaten them (Genesis 41:21). So (literally, and) Pharaoh awoke.
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:5
And he slept and dreamed the second time (that same night): and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank (i.e. fat) and good. This clearly pointed to the corn of the Nile valley, the triticum compositum,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:6
And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them—literally, burnt up of the east, קָדִים being put poetically for the fuller רוּחַ קָדִים. It has been urged that this displays a gross ign…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:7
And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank (i.e. fat) and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream—manifestly of the same import as that which had preceded. The dream was doubled because of its cer…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; or, rather, his mind was agitated, ἐταράχθη ἡ χυχὴ αὐτοῦ (LXX.), pavore perterritus (Vulgate), the ruach being the seat of the senses, affections, a…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 41:9-32
God's time for the enlargement of his people is the fittest time. If the chief butler had got Joseph to be released from prison, it is probable he would have gone back to the land of the Hebrews. Then he had neither bee…
Joseph Brought before Pharaoh. (b. c. 1715.)
JOSEPH BROUGHT BEFORE PHARAOH. (B. C. 1715.) 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…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:9-13
Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:—literally, my faults (sc. am) remembering today; but whether he understood by his faults his ingratitude to Joseph or his offense again…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:14
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily (literally, caused him to run) out of the dungeon (vide Genesis 40:15): and he shaved himself,—this was exactly in accordance with Egyptian custom (Herod…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:14
The blessing of suffering wrongfully. Joseph had probably been three years in prison (cf. Genesis 41:1 with Genesis 40:4). Sorely must his faith have been tried. His brothers, who had plotted his death, prosperous; hims…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:15
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it (literally, and interpreting it there is no one): and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpr…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:16
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me (literally, not I): God—Elohim (of. Genesis 40:8)—shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace—literally, shall answer the peace of Pharaoh, i.e. what shall be for the welfa…
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream. (b. c. 1715.)
JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH'S DREAM. (B. C. 1715.) 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.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:17-21
Pharaoh then relates his dreams in substantially the same terms as those in which they have already been recited, only adding concerning the lean kine that they were (Genesis 41:19) such as I never saw (literally, I nev…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:25
And Joseph said unto Pharaoh (the inability of the magicians to read the dream of Pharaoh was the best proof that Joseph spoke from inspiration), The dream of Pharaoh is one (i.e. the two dreams have the same significan…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:26-32
Proceeding with the interpretation of the dream, Joseph explains to Pharaoh that the seven good kine and the seven full ears point to a succession of seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt which we…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 41:33-45
Joseph gave good advice to Pharaoh. Fair warning should always be followed by good counsel. God has in his word told us of a day of trial before us, when we shall need all the grace we can have. Now, therefore, provide…
Joseph's Exaltation. (b. c. 1715.)
JOSEPH'S EXALTATION. (B. C. 1715.) 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 migh…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:33-36
Now therefore (adds Joseph, passing on to suggest measures suitable to meet the extraordinary emergency predicted) let Pharaoh look out a man discreet ( נָבוֹן, niph. part. of בִּין, intelligent, discerning), and wise,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:40
Joseph as prime minister. "Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou." Sudden elevations are often the precursors of sudden fal…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:41-43
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph. See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. This was the royal edict constituting Joseph grand vizier or prime minister of the empire: the formal installation in office followed. And P…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 41:44
And Pharaoh-said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Joseph's authority was to be absolute and universal.