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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 41:46-57

Observe here, I. The building of Joseph's family in the birth of two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Gen. 41:50-52. In the names he gave them, he owned the divine Providence giving this happy turn to his affairs, 1. He was made to forget his misery, Job 11:16. We should bear our afflictions when they are present as those that know not but Providence may so outweigh them by after-comforts as that we may even forget them when they are past. But could he be so unnatural as to forget all his father's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:53

And the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt were ended. Perhaps quickly after the birth of Ephraim, Joseph's second son; since the account follows upon that, and it is certain that he was born before the years of famine began, Genesis 41:50 ; some connect the words, "moreover when" the seven years of plenty were ended, then began, as follows, seven years of famine; these events were fulfilled just as Joseph had predicted. read more

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:54

The seven years of dearth began to come - Owing in Egypt to the Nile not rising more than twelve or thirteen cubits; (See Clarke on Genesis 41:31 ; (note)); but there must have been other causes which affected other countries, not immediately dependent on the Nile, though remotely connected with Egypt and Canaan. The dearth was in all lands - All the countries dependent on the Nile. And it appears that a general drought had taken place, at least through all Egypt and Canaan; for it is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:55

When all the land of Egypt was famished - As Pharaoh, by the advice of Joseph, had exacted a fifth part of all the grain during the seven years of plenty, it is very likely that no more was left than what was merely necessary to supply the ordinary demand both in the way of home consumption, and for the purpose of barter or sale to neighboring countries. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:56

Over all the face of the earth - The original, הארץ פני כל col peney haarets , should be translated, all the face of that land, viz., Egypt, as it is explained at the end of the verse. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:53

Verse 53 53.And the seven years... were ended. Already the former unwonted fertility, which showed Joseph to have been a true prophet, had procured for him a name and reputation; and in this way the Egyptians had been restrained from raising any tumult against him. Nevertheless, it is wonderful that a people so proud should have borne, in the time of prosperity, the rule of a foreigner. But the famine which followed proved a more sharp and severe curb for the subjugation of their lofty and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:55

Verse 55 55.Go unto Joseph. It is by no means unusual for kings, while their subjects are oppressed by extreme sufferings, to give themselves up to pleasures. But Moses here means something else; for Pharaoh does not exonerate himself from the trouble of distributing corn, because he wishes to enjoy a repose free from all inconvenience; but because he hassuch confidence in holy Joseph, that he willingly leaves all things to him, and does not allow him to be disturbed in the discharge of the... read more

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