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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1-45

Joseph before Pharaoh, or from the prison to the throne. I. THE DREAMS OF THE MONARCH . 1. His midnight visions . Two full years have expired since the memorable birthday of Pharaoh which sent the baker to ignominious execution, but restored the butler to the favor of his royal master. Slumbering upon his bed, the king of Egypt seems to stand among the tall grass upon the banks of the Nile. First seven well-formed and full-fleshed heifers appear to climb up one after the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1-57

The tried man is now made ready by long experience for his position of responsibility and honor. He is thirty years old. He can commence his public ministry for the people of God and the world. Pharaoh's dreams, the kine and the ears of corn, like those of the butler and baker, have their natural element in them; but apart from the Spirit of God Joseph would not have dared to give them such an interpretation. Even had his intelligence penetrated the secret, he would not have ventured on a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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, agriculture, and the nourishment derived therefrom. It was therefore natural that the succession of seven prosperous years should be represented by seven thriving cows. That they appeared ascending from the river is explained by the circumstance that the Nile by its annual inundations... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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 or beat small) of flesh," also proceeded from the river, since a failure in the periodical overflow of the Nile was the usual cause of scarcity and famine in Egypt. And stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. The use of the term lip, שָׂפָה , for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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, which Bears seven ears upon one stalk. The assertion of Herodotus, that the Egyptians counted it a disgrace to live on wheat and barley (2.36), Wilkinson regards as incorrect, since "both wheat and barley are noticed in Lower Egypt long before Herodotus' time ( ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 41:1-57

- Joseph Was Exalted1. יאר ye'or, “river, canal,” mostly applied to the Nile. Some suppose the word to be Coptic.2. אחוּ 'āchû, “sedge, reed-grass, marsh-grass.” This word is probably Coptic.8. חרטמים charṭumı̂ym, ἐξηγηταὶ exēgētai, ἱερογραμματεῖς hierogrammateis, “sacred scribes, hieroglyphs.” חרט chereṭ “stylus,” a graving tool.43. אברך 'abrēk “bend the knee.” In this sense it is put for הברך habrēk imperative hiphil of ברך bārak. Those who take the word to be Coptic render it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 41:1

Genesis 41:1. At the end of two full years After the butler’s restoration to his place. No doubt Joseph was some considerable time in prison before the keeper of the prison would so far trust him as to commit the other prisoners, especially the state prisoners, to his charge; and he was some time confined with them. Yet two years more pass away before his deliverance came. By this great and long-continued humiliation and trial, he was prepared for the extraordinary exaltation which God... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 41:2

Genesis 41:2. There came out of the river A just and proper emblem this, because both the fruitfulness and barrenness of the land of Egypt depended, under God, on the increase or diminution of the waters of that river. Well-favoured kine, and fat-fleshed Signifying plenty of grass, whereby they had been thus fed, and promising milk and flesh-meat in abundance. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 41:5

Genesis 41:5. Seven ears of corn on one stalk These also were fit emblems of the thing intended, especially as the fertility of that country did chiefly consist in its producing abundance of corn. read more

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