Genesis 41:1. At the end of two full years— i.e.. Two years after the event recorded in the former chapter, God was pleased to send Pharaoh a prophetic dream, the scene of which was on the banks of the river Nile, to which AEgypt owed all its fertility: and consequently nothing could be represented with more propriety. read more
Genesis 41:6. Blasted with the east wind— To this wind, Bishop Patrick observes, is ascribed in Scripture all the mischiefs done to corn or fruit, by blasting, smutting, mildews, locusts, &c. Exodus 10:13-15.Psalms 78:26; Psalms 78:26. Ezekiel 17:10. Jonah 4:8. It is more pernicious, in AEgygt than in other places, because it comes through the parched desarts of Arabia. Thevenot, in his Travels, (part I. book ii. c. 34.) gives an account that, in the year 1658, two thousand men were... read more
Genesis 41:8. His spirit was troubled; and he sent— The peculiarity of the dreams made a strong impression upon Pharaoh's spirit; and, desirous to be satisfied with respect to their meaning, he sent for all those whose province and profession it was to interpret dreams; but he inquired of them in vain; the rules of their art failed them—they could not interpret the dreams: whence it seems to follow, that God was pleased to reserve in his own power the interpretation of particular dreams; or,... read more
Genesis 41:9. I do remember my faults— That is, "my ingratitude in forgetting and neglecting a person who gave me great comfort in my affliction, and foretold my advancement when confined in the prison." read more
Genesis 41:13. Me he, &c.— See note on Gen 41:21 ch. 40: read more
Genesis 41:14. Dungeon, &c.— See ch. 40: Genesis 41:15. Joseph put off his garments and habit of mourning, such as became and were expressive of his afflicted state, and appeared in a proper dress before the king. The AEgyptians never shaved or cut their hair in times of public or private distress; on other occasions they were remarkably clean and exact in their dress. read more
Genesis 41:16. And Joseph answered, &c.— With pious modesty Joseph answers the king, in almost the same terms which Daniel afterwards used, who was influenced by the same pious and holy principles. See Daniel 2:28. He elevates the monarch's mind to the first cause of the dreams which so troubled him, and engages his attention by causing him to hope that he should give him an answer, of which God himself was the Author: it is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. "I have no... read more
Genesis 41:18. And, behold, there came, &c.— "Phantasms in dreams," says Bishop Warburton, "were superstitiously thought to be symbolical: God, therefore, when it was his good pleasure to send dreams to Pharaoh, made two well-known symbols the foundation of them; and this, doubtless, in order to engage the dreamer's more serious attention. But then, to confound the AEgyptian oneirocritics or interpreters of dreams, these dreams were so circumstanced with matters foreign to the principles of... read more
Genesis 41:21. When they had eaten, &c.— It would be difficult to give a more lively idea of the extreme horrors of famine, than that which arises from this picture; the kine which devoured the others, without losing any thing of their ill favour, is the most expressive emblem of that dreadful judgment. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 41
CHAP. XLI. Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh, and advises him concerning the seven years of plenty. Pharaoh constitutes Joseph governor of AEgypt, and gives him a wife, by whom he has two sons. The seven years of plenty pass, and the famine begins. Before Christ 1717. read more