Genesis 41

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:32

Verse 32 32.And for that the dream was doubled. Joseph does not mean to say, that what God may have declared but once, is mutable: but he would prevent Pharaoh’s confidence respecting the event revealed, from being shaken. For since God pronounces nothing but from his own fixed and steadfast purpose, it is enough that he should have spoken once. But our dullness and inconstancy cause him to repeat the same thing the more frequently, in order that what he has certainly decreed, may be fixed in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:33

Verse 33 33.Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man. Joseph does more than he had been asked to do; for he is not merely the interpreter of the dream; but, as fulfilling the office of a prophet, he adds instruction and counsel. For we know that the true and lawful prophets of God do not barely predict what will happen in future; but propose remedies for impending evils. Therefore Joseph, after he had uttered a prophecy of the changes which would take place in fourteen years, now teaches what... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:35

Verse 35 35.Under the hand of Pharaoh. Whereas prosperity so intoxicates men, that the greater part make no provision for themselves against the future, but absorb the present abundance by intemperance; Joseph advises the king to take care that the country may have its produce laid up in store. Besides, the common people would also form themselves to habits of frugality, when they understood that this great quantity of corn was not collected in vain by the king, but that a remedy was hereby... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:38

Verse 38 38.Can we find such a one as this? We see that necessity is an excellent teacher. If prefects or judges are to be created, some one is advanced to the honor because he is a favorite, without consideration of his desert; whence it happens that they who are most unworthy frequently creep into office. And although we see political order disturbed and mankind involved in many inconveniences, because they who are least suitable, rashly push themselves, by wicked contrivances, into affairs... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:40

Verse 40 40.Thou shalt be over my house. Not only is Joseph made governor of Egypt, but is adorned also with the insignia of royalty, that all may reverence him, and may obey his command. The royal signet is put upon his finger for the confirmation of decrees. He is clothed in robes of fine linen, which were then a luxury, and were not to be had at any common price. He is placed in the most honorable chariot. (159) It may, however, be asked, whether it was lawful for the holy man to appear with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:46

Verse 46 46.And Joseph was thirty years old. For two reasons Moses records the age at which Joseph was advanced to the government of the kingdom. First, because it is seldom that old men give themselves up to be governed by the young: whence it may be inferred that it was by the singular providence of God that Joseph governed without being envied, and that reverence and majesty were given him beyond his years. For if there was danger lest Timothy’s youth should render him contemptible, Joseph... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:50

Verse 50 50.And unto Joseph were born two sons. Although the names which Joseph gave his sons in consequence of the issue of his affairs, breathe somewhat of piety, because in them he celebrates the kindness of God: yet the oblivion of his father’s house, which, he says, had been brought upon him, can scarcely be altogether excused. It was a pious and holy motive to gratitude, that God had caused him to “forget” all his former miseries; but no honor ought to have been so highly valued, as to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:53

Verse 53 53.And the seven years... were ended. Already the former unwonted fertility, which showed Joseph to have been a true prophet, had procured for him a name and reputation; and in this way the Egyptians had been restrained from raising any tumult against him. Nevertheless, it is wonderful that a people so proud should have borne, in the time of prosperity, the rule of a foreigner. But the famine which followed proved a more sharp and severe curb for the subjugation of their lofty and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:55

Verse 55 55.Go unto Joseph. It is by no means unusual for kings, while their subjects are oppressed by extreme sufferings, to give themselves up to pleasures. But Moses here means something else; for Pharaoh does not exonerate himself from the trouble of distributing corn, because he wishes to enjoy a repose free from all inconvenience; but because he hassuch confidence in holy Joseph, that he willingly leaves all things to him, and does not allow him to be disturbed in the discharge of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1

And it came to pass at the end of two full years (literally, two years of days, i.e. two complete years from the commencement of Joseph's incarceration, or more probably after the butler's liberation), that Pharaoh —on the import of the term vide Genesis 12:15 . Under what particular monarch Joseph came to Egypt is a question of much perplexity, and has been variously resolved by modern Egyptologists in favor of— 1. Osirtasen I ; the founder of the twelfth dynasty, a... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:32

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:33

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:35

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:38

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:40

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:46

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:50

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:53

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:55

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1

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