Genesis 41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:54

And the seven years of dearth began to come, as Joseph had said ,.... In the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams; as soon as the seven years of plenty were over, there were quickly some appearances of the famine coming on; as particularly the river Nile not flowing to its usual height at the season of it; hence there was a drought, the earth was parched, and everything began to wither and decay, and the seed that was sown sprung not up: and the dearth was in all lands ; adjoining to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:55

And when all the land of Egypt was famished ,.... Their old stock and store eaten up, and the inhabitants ready to starve with hunger: the people cried to Pharaoh for bread ; as their common father, and knowing that he had stores of provision laid up in all cities against this time: and Pharaoh said to the Egyptians, go unto Joseph ; whom he had appointed over this business of providing and laying up corn against this time, and of distributing it: what he saith to you, do ; give... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:56

And the famine was over all the face of the earth ,.... Not over the whole world, but the land of Egypt; all the inhabitants of it were pinched with it, rich and poor; it reached all parts and all sorts of men: and Joseph opened all the storehouses ; in the several cities throughout the land where he had laid up corn: and sold unto the Egyptians ; for, as he had bought it with Pharaoh's money, it was no injustice to sell it; and as it could be sold at a moderate price, and yet... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:57

And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn ,.... All the neighbouring nations (Syria, Arabia, Palestine, Canaan, &c.;), when they heard there was corn there for money, came from all parts for it, and were glad to get it at such expense and trouble: because that the famine was so sore in all lands ; that there was no bread to be got for money elsewhere. It is thought by many, that for this care of Joseph in laying up provision against this time of need, and which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41

Pharaoh's dream of the seven well-favored and seven ill-favored kine, Genesis 41:1-4 . His dream of the seven full and seven thin ears of corn, Genesis 41:5-7 . The magicians and wise men applied to for the interpretation of them, but could give no solution, Genesis 41:8 . The chief butler recollects and recommends Joseph, Genesis 41:9-13 . Pharaoh commands him to be brought out of prison, Genesis 41:14 . Joseph appears before Pharaoh, Genesis 41:15 , Genesis 41:16 . Pharaoh... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:1

Two full years - ימים שנתים shenathayim yamim , two years of days, two complete solar revolutions, after the events mentioned in the preceding chapter. The river - The Nile, the cause of the fertility of Egypt. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:2

There came up out of the river seven well-favored kine - This must certainly refer to the hippopotamus or river horse, as the circumstances of coming up out of the river and feeding in the field characterize that animal alone. The hippopotamus is the well-known inhabitant of the Nile, and frequently by night comes out of the river to feed in the fields, or in the sedge by the river side. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:6

Blasted with the east wind - It has been very properly observed that all the mischief done to corn or fruit, by blasting, smutting, mildews, locusts, etc., is attributed to the east wind. See Exodus 10:13 ; Exodus 14:21 ; Psalm 78:26 ; Ezekiel 17:10 ; Jonah 4:8 . In Egypt it is peculiarly destructive, because it comes through the parched deserts of Arabia, often destroying vast numbers of men and women. The destructive nature of the simoom or smoom is mentioned by almost all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:8

Called for all the magicians - חרטמים chartummim . The word here used may probably mean no more than interpreters of abstruse and difficult subjects; and especially of the Egyptian hieroglyphics, an art which is now entirely lost. It is most likely that the term is Egyptian, and consequently its etymology must remain unknown to us. If Hebrew, Mr. Parkhurst's definition may be as good as any: " חרט cheret , a pen or instrument to write or draw with, and תם tam , to perfect or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:9

I do remember my faults - It is not possible he could have forgotten the circumstance to which he here alludes; it was too intimately connected with all that was dear to him, to permit him ever to forget it. But it was not convenient for him to remember this before; and probably he would not have remembered it now, had he not seen, that giving this information in such a case was likely to serve his own interest. We are justified in thinking evil of this man because of his scandalous neglect... read more

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