Genesis 41
41
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams
1Two years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing near the Nile. 2In front of him, seven healthy-looking, fattened cows climbed up out of the Nile and grazed on the reeds. 3Just then, seven other cows, terrible-looking and scrawny, climbed up out of the Nile after them and stood beside them on the bank of the Nile. 4The terrible-looking, scrawny cows devoured the seven healthy-looking, fattened cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5He went back to sleep and had a second dream, in which seven ears of grain, full and healthy, grew on a single stalk. 6Just then, seven ears of grain, scrawny and scorched by the east wind, sprouted after them, 7and the scrawny ears swallowed up the full and well-formed ears. Then Pharaoh woke up and realized it was a dream. 8In the morning, he was disturbed and summoned all of Egypt’s religious experts#41.8 Or magicians and all of its advisors. Pharaoh described his dreams#41.8 Sam; MT dream to them, but they couldn’t interpret them for Pharaoh.
9Then the chief wine steward spoke to Pharaoh: “Today I’ve just remembered my mistake. 10Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker under arrest with the commander of the royal guard. 11We both dreamed one night, he and I, and each of our dreams had its own interpretation. 12A young Hebrew man, a servant of the commander of the royal guard, was with us. We described our dreams to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us, giving us an interpretation for each dream. 13His interpretations came true exactly: Pharaoh restored me to my position but hanged him.”
14So Pharaoh summoned Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon. He shaved, changed clothes, and appeared before Pharaoh. 15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, but no one could interpret it. Then I heard that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it.”
16Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It’s not me. God will give Pharaoh a favorable response.”
17So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile. 18In front of me, seven fattened, stout cows climbed up out of the Nile and grazed on the reeds. 19Just then, seven other cows, weak and frail and thin, climbed up after them. I’ve never seen such awful cows in all the land of Egypt. 20Then the thin, frail cows devoured the first seven, fattened cows. 21But after they swallowed them whole, no one would have known it. They looked just as bad as they had before. Then I woke up. 22I went to sleep again#41.22 LXX, Syr, Vulg; MT lacks I went to sleep again. and saw in my dream seven full and healthy ears of grain growing on one stalk. 23Just then, seven hard and thin ears of grain, scorched by the east wind, sprouted after them, 24and the thin ears swallowed up the healthy ears. I told the religious experts,#41.24 Or magicians but they couldn’t explain it to me.”
25Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh has actually had one dream. God has announced to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26The seven healthy cows are seven years, and the seven healthy ears of grain are seven years. It’s actually one dream. 27The seven thin and frail cows, climbing up after them, are seven years. The seven thin ears of grain, scorched by the east wind, are seven years of famine. 28It’s just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29Seven years of great abundance are now coming throughout the entire land of Egypt. 30After them, seven years of famine will appear, and all of the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land. 31No one will remember the abundance in the land because the famine that follows will be so very severe. 32The dream occurred to Pharaoh twice because God has determined to do it, and God will make it happen soon.
Joseph’s rise to power
33“Now Pharaoh should find an intelligent, wise man and give him authority over the land of Egypt. 34Then Pharaoh should appoint administrators over the land and take one-fifth of all the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35During the good years that are coming, they should collect all such food and store the grain under Pharaoh’s control, protecting the food in the cities. 36This food will be reserved for the seven years of famine to follow in the land of Egypt so that the land won’t be ravaged by the famine.”
37This advice seemed wise to Pharaoh and all his servants, 38and Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man with more God-given gifts#41.38 Or like this one, in whom is the spirit of God than this one?” 39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, no one is as intelligent and wise as you are. 40You will be in charge of my kingdom,#41.40 Or house and all my people will obey#41.40 LXX; Heb uncertain, perhaps submit themselves to your command your command. Only as the enthroned king will I be greater than you.” 41Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Know this: I’ve given you authority over the entire land of Egypt.” 42Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, he dressed him in linen clothes, and he put a gold necklace around his neck. 43He put Joseph on the chariot of his second-in-command, and everyone in front of him cried out, “Attention!”#41.43 An Egyptian loanword similar to the Heb word kneel So Pharaoh installed him over the entire land of Egypt. 44Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh; no one will do anything or go anywhere in all the land of Egypt without your permission.” 45Pharaoh renamed Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah, and married him to Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of Heliopolis.#41.45 Heb On
Then Joseph assumed control of the land of Egypt. 46Joseph was 30 years old when he began to serve Pharaoh, Egypt’s king, when he left Pharaoh’s court and traveled through the entire land of Egypt. 47During the seven years of abundance, the land produced plentifully. 48He collected all of the food during the seven years of abundance#41.48 LXX; MT lacks of abundance. in the land of Egypt, and stored the food in cities. In each city, he stored the food from the fields surrounding it. 49Joseph amassed grain like the sand of the sea. There was so much that he stopped trying to measure it because it was beyond measuring. 50Before the years of famine arrived, Asenath the daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis,#41.50 Heb On gave birth to two sons for Joseph. 51Joseph named the oldest son Manasseh,#41.51 Or making forget “because,” he said, “God has helped me forget all of my troubles and everyone in my father’s household.” 52He named the second Ephraim,#41.52 Sounds like has given me children “because,” he said, “God has given me children in the land where I’ve been treated harshly.”
53The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. The famine struck every country, but the entire land of Egypt had bread. 55When the famine ravaged the entire land of Egypt and the people pleaded to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh said to all of the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. Do whatever he tells you.” 56The famine covered every part of the land, and Joseph opened all of the granaries#41.56 LXX, Syr; MT what was in them and sold grain to the Egyptians. In the land of Egypt, the famine became more and more severe. 57Every country came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because in every country the famine had also become more severe.
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Genesis 41: CEB
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2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Genesis 41
41
From the Pit to the Palace
1After two full years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2and up from the river emerged seven healthy, fat cows, and they began grazing in the marshland. 3Then he saw seven other cows come up out of the Nile right behind them. They were ugly and thin, and they stood beside the fat cows on the riverbank. 4The seven ugly, thin cows ate up the seven healthy, fat cows.
After Pharaoh’s dream he awoke 5and fell back to sleep. He dreamed a second time. In his dream, he saw seven ears of grain, plump, ripe, and growing on a single stalk. 6Close behind them sprouted seven ears of grain, thin and shriveled by the east wind. 7And the seven thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke from his vivid and disturbing dream!
8The next morning, his spirit was agitated, so he called for all the magicians # 41:8 The Hebrew word for “magicians” is hartumim and is used exclusively in connection with Egypt and Babylon. and wise men in Egypt. Pharaoh recounted his dreams to them, but no one could give him the interpretation.
9When the chief steward heard about the dreams he remembered Joseph and said to Pharaoh, “Please, your dream reminds me today of my failures. 10Once, when Pharaoh was angry with his servants, he incarcerated me and the chief baker in the prison of Potiphar, the captain of the guard. 11We both had dreams on the same night but with different meanings. 12There was a young Hebrew man imprisoned with us who had been the personal servant to the captain of the guard. And when we told him our dreams, he interpreted them and told each of us their meaning. 13And it happened just as he said. Pharaoh restored me to my post, but he had the baker impaled.”
14After hearing this, Pharaoh immediately sent for Joseph. They rushed him out of the dungeon to prepare him to meet with the king. # 41:14 Joseph’s dreams landed him in a pit and later in a prison. It was Joseph’s gift for interpreting dreams that brought him out from the prison to stand before Pharaoh (see Prov. 22:29). When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came and stood before Pharaoh. # 41:14 Joseph did not immediately beg to be released from prison. He approached the mighty Pharaoh with dignity and respect. Joseph quickly acknowledged that only God has the power to interpret dreams, for he is the One who gives them. Like the Lord Jesus, Joseph did only what the Father revealed to him (see John 5:19, 30).
15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had two dreams that no one can explain. I have heard that you are able to interpret a dream the moment you hear it.”
16“I cannot do it alone,” Joseph replied, “but God will help me to give Pharaoh the proper interpretation for Pharaoh’s welfare.”
17Then Pharaoh told Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18and up from the river emerged seven healthy, fat cows, and they began to graze in the marshland. 19Right behind them followed seven other scrawny and emaciated cows. Never have I seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt! 20The seven ugly, scrawny cows ate up the healthy, fat cows, 21but after consuming them, no one could tell that they had eaten them, for they looked just as bad as before. I awoke with a start, 22but immediately went back to sleep and had another dream. I saw seven ears of grain, full and ripe, growing on a single stalk. 23Right behind them sprouted seven thin, shriveled ears, scorched by the east wind. 24The seven shriveled ears swallowed up the seven healthy ears. I have shared my dreams with my magicians, but no one can give me an interpretation.”
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams
25Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Both your dreams tell the same story, for God has prophetically told Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26Both the seven healthy cows and the seven healthy ears represent seven good years; it’s the same dream. 27The seven ugly and scrawny cows that followed and the seven shriveled ears scorched by the east wind are seven years also. They represent seven years of famine. 28It is just as I have told Pharaoh; God has divinely revealed what he is about to do. 29There will come seven years of great abundance throughout all the land of Egypt, 30-31followed by seven years of intense famine. All of Egypt will forget the former abundance, for all the land will be ravaged by a famine, a very severe famine. They will not even remember their former abundance. 32The reason that Pharaoh’s dream was repeated is that God has determined that it will surely happen, # 41:32 See Deut. 13:1–5. and that he will soon carry it out.”
33Joseph continued, “Let Pharaoh select a very wise and discerning man and set him over the land of Egypt. 34Let Pharaoh appoint other officials throughout the land to collect one-fifth of all the crops each year during the seven plentiful years. 35Have them gather all the food of these abundant years that are coming, and under Pharaoh’s authority, have the grain stored in the cities for food. 36Store it all as food reserve for the people during the seven years of famine coming upon Egypt, so that the land will survive the famine.”
Joseph Promoted to Power
37Joseph’s proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his advisers. 38He said to them, “Where can we find anyone else like this one, for he has the Spirit of God in him!” # 41:38 How true this is of Jesus as well. There is simply no one like our Lord Jesus Christ. He walked in the fullness of the Spirit without limitation (see John 3:34). Joseph was a forerunner of our Lord Jesus. His wisdom and understanding for interpreting dreams flowed out of a relationship with God’s Spirit. True wisdom comes from the Spirit of Christ (see Col. 2:3). This is the first time that Scripture mentions that someone has the Spirit of God in them. Later in the Old Testament, Bezalel, the craftsman of the tabernacle, is similarly described (see Ex. 31:3; 35:31), as well as Daniel (see Dan. 5:14). 39So Pharaoh turned to Joseph and said, “Since God has divinely revealed this to you, there is no one as wise and full of insight as you. 40I hereby place you in charge of all my affairs, and all my people will obey your commands. # 41:40 The Hebrew text is literally “on your mouth all my people will kiss.” See also Ps. 2:11–12, where a kiss demonstrates serving and worshiping God. Only I, the king, # 41:40 Or “Only the throne,” a metonymy for the king and his authority. will be greater than you!
41“Listen to me, Joseph,” Pharaoh continued. “I am placing you in charge of all of Egypt.” 42Then he removed his signet ring, # 41:42 Pharaoh validated Joseph’s authority by giving him his signet ring, which had the royal seal of Egypt engraved upon it. placed it on Joseph’s finger, and had him clothed with fine linen robes! # 41:42 Instead of prison garments, Joseph was given the finest of clothing (the linen garments of a priest). Joseph had lost a robe twice; now he received a new one! He who had been dragging fetters of iron was now adorned with a chain of gold. Pharaoh gave Joseph an usekh, a broad collar made of gold. The Egyptians placed these collars on their deities or officials. Pharaoh recognized that God was with Joseph, and the Egyptians would recognize Joseph’s authority. See Dan. 5:7; Est. 8:2. Instead of sitting in a dingy dungeon, Joseph was free. He was even given the keys to his own chariot! Joseph was now thirty years old (see Gen. 41:46). This is the age at which Jewish men could enter priestly service at the temple and the age at which Jesus began his earthly ministry. Nevertheless, it is a very young age to be awarded the highest governmental position in a powerful nation with the responsibility of running the affairs of the country. This testifies to Joseph’s God-given wisdom and grace. He adorned him with a golden collar around his neck. 43Pharaoh had him ride in the chariot reserved for the second-in-command and sent runners going before him, crying out, “Kneel!” # 41:43 Joseph, once accused of rape, was now made prime minister, head of all the people, chief justice, and general of the armed forces in all of Egypt—all as a foreigner! He went from a prison to the highest office in the land in one day! Joseph had the strange experience of having what others dream about, but not what he dreamed about. His gifts were finally recognized, but not by his brothers. A million people shouting “Kneel!” would not do for Joseph as much as eleven brothers doing the same. This exaltation, as glorious as it was, still fell short of what God had promised Joseph in his dreams. In this way, Pharaoh placed Joseph over all the land of Egypt.
44Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. No one in all of Egypt will lift a finger # 41:44 Or “no one will lift a hand or foot.” without your permission!”
A New Identity and a Bride
45Pharaoh gave Joseph a new name: Revealer of Secrets. # 41:45 Or “Zaphenath-Paneah.” The root word for “Zaphenath” means “to hide,” and the root word for “Paneah” means “to disclose [explain].” The Greek of the Septuagint can be translated “savior of the world [sustainer of life].” Other scholars believe it could be translated “God has said, ‘he will live.’ ” Each of these possible translations can point us to Jesus Christ, the true Revealer of Mysteries, the Savior of the world, and the One God raised from the dead. He also arranged for him to marry the daughter of Potiphera, # 41:45 Potiphera is the longer form of the name Potiphar. Some of oldest traditions of Rabbinical Judaism state that Potiphera was the same Potiphar that had Joseph imprisoned (see Rashi, Rashbam, Alshich). This would have been Joseph’s final vindication of innocence, to marry the daughter of the one who accused him. However, more contemporary scholars believe Potiphera was a different individual than the captain of the guard. the priest of Heliopolis. # 41:45 Or “On [strength, vigor],” which is also recognized as Heliopolis, a modern suburb of Cairo. It is one of the most ancient Egyptian cities and was the seat of worship of the sun god Ra. Heliopolis is the home of the oldest obelisk on earth, the Obelisk of Sesostris I. Joseph was marrying the daughter of one of the most respected men in Egypt. Her name was Asenath. # 41:45 Asenath, the daughter of the Egyptian priest of On, means “belonging to (the goddess) Neith.” Joseph was given a bride while rejected by his brothers. Joseph is a type of Christ who finds a bride during this church age. See 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25–26. And Joseph took charge over all the land of Egypt. # 41:45 Or “Joseph went out throughout the land of Egypt.” 46Joseph was thirty years old # 41:46 Jesus, too, was thirty when he began his public ministry. Ezekiel was thirty when he was visited by God. Thirty is the number of maturity and the priesthood, for a priest had to be thirty before he could serve in temple worship. when he entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. # 41:46 Joseph had lived thirteen years in captivity. Leaving Pharaoh’s presence, Joseph traveled throughout the entire land of Egypt. # 41:46 Think of this as Joseph’s royal tour, inspecting the kingdom he was to rule over.
Seven Years of Abundance
47During the seven years of abundance, the land produced bumper crops. 48Joseph supervised the gathering up of all the great stores of food of the seven years of abundance and strategically placed them in various walled cities near where the harvest was gathered. # 41:48 One can see the wisdom of Joseph in storing the grain near where it would be needed, versus keeping it all in one central storage place. 49He gathered such massive quantities of produce that he gave up trying to measure it all, for it was like counting the sand on the seashore.
Joseph’s Two Sons
50Prior to the famine, Joseph and Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis, had two sons. 51Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, # 41:51 Manasseh sounds like the Hebrew words for “he causes to forget.” saying, “God has made me forget all my troubles and my parental home.” 52The second he named Ephraim, # 41:52 Ephraim comes from the Hebrew word for “being fruitful,” with an implication of “double fruitfulness.” This is God’s order: Manasseh then Ephraim. God must cause us to forget our prisons of the past before we can become fruitful. The “King’s prison” is the place where we forget our pain so we can move on into the fruitfulness of becoming like Christ, one who forgives others. Instead of seeking revenge toward our brothers who have harmed us, we must give birth to a “Manasseh.” To call your afflictions “blessings” is to become fruitful and give birth to an “Ephraim.” In all of these things, we acknowledge that they are the glorious work of God (see Phil. 4:8)! saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”
53Eventually, Egypt’s seven years of abundance came to an end. 54Then began the seven years of famine, just as Joseph prophesied. Although there was a severe famine everywhere else, food was available throughout the land of Egypt. 55When the Egyptians grew hungry, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh said to all his people, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” # 41:55 Joseph, in effect, became the Minister of Agriculture over the land. His first dream of bundles of wheat bowing before him was a prophetic hint of his future responsibilities.
56As the famine worsened over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses # 41:56 As translated from the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Syriac. The Hebrew is “he opened all that was among them.” Joseph opened the door for others to be fed. He was an exceptional administrator and a wise manager of Egypt’s resources. Because he had passed each previous test and grown in character, he was ready when the Lord promoted him to a place of such power. He handled all this prestige without pride or arrogance. Joseph was a man prepared to rule in wisdom and to use his position of authority to provide for others. God now had a man he could use as a deliverer. and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe everywhere. 57So because of the severity of the worldwide famine, people from all over the world had to come and buy grain from Joseph.
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