Genesis 41
41
Pharaoh’s dreams
1When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
5He fell asleep again and had a second dream: seven ears of corn, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6After them, seven other ears of corn sprouted – thin and scorched by the east wind. 7The thin ears of corn swallowed up the seven healthy, full ears. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.
8In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no-one could interpret them for him.
9Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, ‘Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.’
14So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
15Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream, and no-one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’
16‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’
17Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. 19After them, seven other cows came up – scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21But even after they ate them, no-one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.
22‘In my dream I saw seven ears of corn, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23After them, seven other ears sprouted – withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24The thin ears of corn swallowed up the seven good ears. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.’
25Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears of corn are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterwards are seven years, and so are the seven worthless ears of corn scorched by the east wind: they are seven years of famine.
28‘It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
33‘And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.’
37The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God#41:38 Or of the gods?’
39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no-one so discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.’
Joseph in charge of Egypt
41So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ 42Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain round his neck. 43He made him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command,#41:43 Or in the chariot of his second-in-command; or in his second chariot and people shouted before him, ‘Make way#41:43 Or Bow down!’ Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
44Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh, but without your word no-one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.’ 45Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,#41:45 That is, Heliopolis; also in verse 50 to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
46Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and travelled throughout Egypt. 47During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. 48Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. 49Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
50Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh#41:51 Manasseh sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for forget. and said, ‘It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.’ 52The second son he named Ephraim#41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for twice fruitful. and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’
53The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.’
56When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
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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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