Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 41:57
57. The famine was sore in all lands—that is, the lands contiguous to Egypt—Canaan, Syria, and Arabia. read more
Genesis 41
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41
6. Pharaoh’s dreams and Joseph’s interpretations ch. 41Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s two dreams faithfully. This led to God elevating Joseph in the government and demonstrating His sovereign control over economic life in Egypt as He prepared to preserve Israel and Egypt through the coming famine. read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:1-8
The "magicians" were "men of the priestly caste, who occupied themselves with the sacred arts and sciences of the Egyptians, the hieroglyphic writings, astrology, the interpretation of dreams, the foretelling of events, magic, and conjuring, and who were regarded as the possessors of secret arts (vid. Ex. vii. 11) and the wise men of the nation." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 1:349.] Divination tries to understand the future, and magic seeks to control it. God withheld the Egyptian diviners from... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:9-24
Joseph carefully gave God the glory for his interpretive gift in his response to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:16)."As far as Joseph was concerned, absolute truthfulness in guarding God’s honor was far more important than personal advantages." [Note: Leupold, 2:1025-26.] "Like Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar, he expressly disclaims all ability of himself to unfold the secret counsels of heaven, or exercise that wisdom for which Pharaoh seems very willing to give him credit. The same humility has been in... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:25-36
Joseph also presented God as sovereign over Pharaoh (Genesis 41:25; Genesis 41:28). The Egyptians regarded Pharaoh as a divine manifestation in human form. By accepting Joseph’s interpretation of his dreams Pharaoh chose to place himself under Joseph’s God. God rewarded this humility by preserving the land of Egypt in the coming famine.". . . the writer has gone out of his way to present the whole narrative in a series of pairs, all fitting within the notion of the emphasis given by means of... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:37-45
Pharaoh recognized Joseph as one who had unique supernatural powers (Genesis 41:38; cf. Daniel 5:14). He probably did not identify the "spirit" in Joseph as the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. There is no evidence that Pharaoh understood or believed in the God of Israel much less comprehended his triunity. Most likely he thought some deity had manifested himself or herself through Joseph.It was not unknown in Egypt for the Pharaohs to appoint individuals who lacked previous social... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:46-57
The notation of the birth of Joseph’s sons is, of course, very significant in view of God’s purposes concerning Abraham’s family (Genesis 41:50-52). Joseph acknowledged God’s goodness to him in naming both his sons. An allusion to the blessing aspect of the patriarchal promises occurs in Genesis 41:49."If the name of Joseph’s first son (Manasseh) focuses on a God who preserves, the name of Joseph’s second son (Ephraim) focuses on a God who blesses." [Note: Hamilton, The Book . . . Chapters... read more
John Dummelow
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:1-57
The Dreams of Pharaoh and the Advancement of Joseph1. Pharaoh] It is believed that a dynasty of Asiatic (perhaps Bedouin) conquerors, known as the Hyksôs or Shepherd kings, were now in power in Egypt. Their rule lasted for 500 years, until 1700 or 1600 b.c., when a native Nubian dynasty from Thebes expelled the invaders. The court was at Zoan on the eastern frontier of Egypt. The elevation of Joseph to an almost royal position, and the welcome extended to his kinsmen, were natural at the hands... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:1
XLI.JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAMS HE IS MADE GOVERNOR OF EGYPT, AND MARRIES THERE.(1) Pharaoh dreamed.—After two years spent in the prison, the time has now come for Joseph’s elevation to power; and it is to be noticed that this was not brought about by those arts by which men usually attain to greatness, such as statesmanship, or military skill; nor was it by accident, but according to the Biblical rule, by the direct intervention of Providence. Just as centuries afterwards, Daniel rose... read more
Subscribe
Verse of the Day
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Daily Devotional
Subscribe to receive daily devotionals to help you grow in faith and walk closer with God.
Read on Mobile
Most Searched
Group of Brands
© 2026 Bibleportal.com All rights reserved.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 41:53
53-56. The seven years of plenteousness . . . ended—Over and above the proportion purchased for the government during the years of plenty, the people could still have husbanded much for future use. But improvident as men commonly are in the time of prosperity, they found themselves in want, and would have starved by thousands had not Joseph anticipated and provided for the protracted calamity. read more