And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me (literally, not I ): God —Elohim (of. Genesis 40:8 )— shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace —literally, shall answer the peace of Pharaoh, i.e . what shall be for the welfare of Pharaoh. The rendering Ἄνευ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἀποκριθησεται τὸ σωτήριον Φαραιό ( LXX .), though giving the sense, fails in accuracy of translation. read more
Pharaoh then relates his dreams in substantially the same terms as those in which they have already been recited, only adding concerning the lean kine that they were ( Genesis 41:19 ) such as I never saw (literally, I never saw such as these ) in all the land of Egypt for badness: and that ( Genesis 41:21 ) when they had eaten them ( i.e. the good kine) up, it could not be known they had eaten them ;—literally, and they ( i.e. the good kine ) went into the... read more
- 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
Genesis 41:13. Me he restored unto mine office That is, Joseph foretold his restoration to his office, and the execution of the other. Thus Jeremiah is said to pull down and destroy those nations, whose downfall and destruction he only foretold, Jeremiah 1:10. read more
Genesis 41:14. Brought him out of the dungeon Or prison; for, as Joseph was now so much employed, and intrusted with all the affairs of the prison and prisoners, it is not probable that he should still be kept confined in the dungeon, properly so called. The king could scarce allow him time, but that decency required it, to shave himself, and to change his raiment. It is done with all possible expedition, and Joseph is brought in perhaps almost as much surprised as Peter was, Acts 12:9;... read more
Genesis 41:16. It is not in me I cannot do this by any virtue, or power, or art of my own; but only by the inspiration of the great God. 1st, Thus he gives the honour to God, to whom it was due, and leads Pharaoh to the knowledge of him. Great gifts then appear most graceful and illustrious, when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise of them to themselves, but give it to God. 2d, He shows respect to Pharaoh, and hearty goodwill to him, supposing that the... read more
Joseph’s rise to power (39:1-41:57)In contrast to Judah, Joseph was blameless in his behaviour in Egypt. Soon he was placed in charge of Potiphar’s household (39:1-6). When he rejected the immoral invitations of Potiphar’s wife, she turned against him bitterly and had him thrown into prison (7-20). Again his behaviour was blameless, and soon he was given a position of responsibility over the other prisoners (21-23).Among the prisoners who later joined Joseph were two of Pharaoh’s palace... read more
as = according as. he restored: he = Joseph. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). i.e. he declared I should be restored. he hanged: he = Joseph. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6 . = declared he would be hanged. read more
brought him hastily out. Hebrew made him run. shaved. The beard was a disgrace in Egypt; shaving a disgrace in Palestine. Compare 1 Samuel 10:4 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:15
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it (literally, and interpreting it there is no one): and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it —literally, I have heard of thee, saying, thou hearest a dream to interpret it . read more