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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 41:1-8

Observe, 1. The delay of Joseph's enlargement. It was not till the end of two full years (Gen. 41:1); so long he waited after he had entrusted the chief butler with his case and began to have some prospect of relief. Note, We have need of patience, not only bearing, but waiting, patience. Joseph lay in prison until the time that his word came, Ps. 105:19. There is a time set for the deliverance of God's people; that time will come, though it seem to tarry; and, when it comes, it will appear to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:8

And it came to pass in the morning, that his spirit was troubled ,.... With the thoughts of his dreams; they were uppermost in his mind; he was continually thinking of them; it was as if he had always the same images before him now awake, as well as when asleep, and therefore could not be easy without getting knowledge of the meaning of them: and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof ; who pretended to have great skill in the things of nature,... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:8

Verse 8 8.In the morning his spirit was troubled. A sting was left in Pharaoh’s heart, that he might know that he had to deal with God; for this anxiety was as an inward seal of the Spirit of God, to give authenticity to the dream; although Pharaoh deserved to be deprived of the advantage of this revelation, when he resorted to magicians and soothsayers, who were wont to turn the truth of God into a lie. (155) He was convinced by a secret impulse that the dream sent by God portended something... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1-45

Joseph before Pharaoh, or from the prison to the throne. I. THE DREAMS OF THE MONARCH . 1. His midnight visions . Two full years have expired since the memorable birthday of Pharaoh which sent the baker to ignominious execution, but restored the butler to the favor of his royal master. Slumbering upon his bed, the king of Egypt seems to stand among the tall grass upon the banks of the Nile. First seven well-formed and full-fleshed heifers appear to climb up one after the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1-57

The tried man is now made ready by long experience for his position of responsibility and honor. He is thirty years old. He can commence his public ministry for the people of God and the world. Pharaoh's dreams, the kine and the ears of corn, like those of the butler and baker, have their natural element in them; but apart from the Spirit of God Joseph would not have dared to give them such an interpretation. Even had his intelligence penetrated the secret, he would not have ventured on a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:8

And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; or, rather, his mind was agitated, ἐταράχθη ἡ χυχὴ αὐτοῦ ( LXX .), pavore perterritus (Vulgate), the ruach being the seat of the senses, affections, and emotions of various kinds (cf. Daniel 2:1 ; Daniel 4:5 , Daniel 4:19 )— and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt ,—the חַרְטֻמִּים , from חָרַט (unused), to engrave, whence חֶרֶט , a stylus (Gesenius), or from חוּר , to see or... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 41:1-57

- 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 41:8

Genesis 41:8. His spirit was troubled Because he was impressed with an idea that the dreams were supernatural, that something extraordinary was intended by them, and because he understood not their meaning, and dreaded the consequences. Compare Genesis 40:6; Daniel 2:1-3; and Matthew 27:19. He called for the magicians, who professed to discover secret and future things, either by consulting the stars, or by other superstitious practices; but if they ever did any thing of that kind, no... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:1-57

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

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