Genesis 41:45-57

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 41:33-45

Here is, I. The good advice that Joseph gave to Pharaoh, which was, 1. That in the years of plenty he should lay up for the years of famine, buy up corn when it was cheap, that he might both enrich himself and supply the country when it would be dear and scarce. Note, Fair warning should always be followed with good counsel. Therefore the prudent man foresees the evil, that he may hide himself. God has in his word told us of a day of trial and exigence before us, when we shall need all the... read more

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 41:45

And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah ,.... Which, according to the paraphrase of Onkelos, signifies one to whom hidden things are revealed; or, as Jonathan, a revealer of secrets; and so most of the Jewish writers explain it; and which seems to be given him from his interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, and revealing what was hereafter to come to pass. The word is only used in this place, at least the latter part of it and Aben Ezra confesses his ignorance of it, whether it is an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:46

And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt ,.... Interpreting his dreams, and had such honour conferred upon him as to be made his prime minister; from whence it appears that Joseph had now been thirteen years in Egypt, partly in Potiphar's house, and partly in prison, since he was seventeen years of age when he was sold thither, see Genesis 37:2 , and Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh ; from standing before him, and ministering to him as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:47

And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. Such as the gatherers take up in their hands when reaped, in order to bind up in sheaves: now such was the fruitfulness of the land during the seven years of plenty, that either one stalk produced as many ears as a man could hold in his hand; or one grain produced an handful, as Ben Melech observes; though Onkelos paraphrases the words,"the inhabitants of the earth in the seven years of plenty gathered even into their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:48

And he gathered up all the food of the seven years ,.... That is, of plenty; not all the fruits of the earth, or all that was eatable, but the corn, as in Genesis 41:49 ; and not all of that the earth produced, but the fifth part of it, as he proposed, which he bought with Pharaoh's money, and therefore: had a right to sell it again as he did: which were in the land of Egypt ; in which only he had a concern, and where only was this plenty: and laid up the food in the cities ; in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:49

And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much , until he left numbering ,.... At first he took an account of the quantities that were bought and laid up, how much there was in each granary, until it amounted to so much, that there was no end of numbering it; it was like the sand of the sea, an hyperbolical expression, denoting the great abundance of it: for it was without number ; not only the grains of corn, but even the measures of it, whatever were used; so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:50

And unto Joseph were born two sons ,.... The word for "born" is singular; hence Ben Melech conjectures that they were twins: and this was before the years of famine came ; or "the year of famine" F17 שנת הרעב "annus famis", Tigurine version, Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "annus (primus) famis", Schmidt. ; the first year: which Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah priest of On, bare unto him ; which is observed, to show that he had them by his lawful wife; whom the Targum of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:51

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh ,.... Which signifies forgetfulness, as the reason of it shows: for God, said he , hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house ; all his toil and labour in Potiphar's house, and especially in the prison; and all the injuries his brethren had done him; all this he was made to forget by the grandeur and honour, wealth and riches, power and authority he was possessed of; and indeed he had so much business upon his hands,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:52

And the name of the second called he Ephraim ,.... Which signifies fruits or fruitfulness; and being of the dual number, may intend both his spiritual and temporal fruitfulness God had blessed him with: for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction ; in the land of Egypt, where he had been long afflicted, even for the space of thirteen years, more or less, in his master's house, and in the prison; but God had made him fruitful in grace and good works, in holiness,... read more

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