Genesis 41:1-57

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 41:9-16

Here is, 1. The recommending of Joseph to Pharaoh for an interpreter. The chief butler did it more in compliment to Pharaoh, to oblige him, than in gratitude to Joseph, or in compassion for his case. He makes a fair confession (Gen. 41:9): ?I remember my faults this day, in forgetting Joseph.? Note, It is best to remember our duty, and to do it in its time; but, if we have neglected that, it is next best to remember our faults, and repent of them, and do our duty at last; better late than... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 41:17-32

Here, I. Pharaoh relates his dream. He dreamt that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw the kine, both the fat ones and the lean ones, come out of the river. For the kingdom of Egypt had no rain, as appears, Zech. 14:18; but the plenty of the year depended upon the overflowing of the river, and it was about one certain time of the year that it overflowed. If it rose to fifteen or sixteen cubits, there was plenty; if to twelve or thirteen only, or under, there was scarcity. See how... read more

Matthew Henry

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 41:1

And it came to pass at the end of two full years ,.... It is not a clear case, as Aben Ezra observes, from whence these years are to be reckoned, whether from the time of Joseph's being put into prison, or from the time that the chief butler was taken out of it; the latter seems more probable, and better connects this and the preceding chapter: that Pharaoh dreamed, and, behold, he stood by the river ; it seemed to him, in his dream, as if he stood near the river Nile, or some canal or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:2

And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine, and fatfleshed ,.... Seven cows or heifers, sleek, fat, and plump, goodly to look at; these seemed in the dream, as if they came out of the river, because they were fed with the fruits of the earth, which the overflowing of the river Nile, and its canals, produced: and they fed in a meadow ; adjoining to the river, where there was good pasture for them, and gives a reason of their being in so good a condition. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:3

And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured, and leanfleshed ,.... Thin and haggard, their bones stuck out, having scarce any flesh upon them, and made a wretched figure: and stood by the other kine ; and looked so much the worse, when compared with them: upon the brink of the river ; it not being overflowed, so that there was no grass to be had, but just upon the bank, where these kept for that purpose; for the fruitfulness of Egypt was owing to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:4

And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine ,.... So it seemed in the dream as if this was done, was very strange and surprising that animals should devour one another; and especially that tame ones, cows or heifers, should eat those of their own species, which was never known to be done: so Pharaoh awoke ; through surprise at the strange sight he had in his dream. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:5

And he slept, and dreamed the second time ,.... He fell asleep again quickly, and dreamed another dream the same night, and to the same purpose, being much of the like kind with the former: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good ; which were very uncommon even in those fruitful countries; though Dr. Shaw F5 Travels, p. 137. Ed. 2. observes of Barbary, which vied with Egypt for fruitfulness, that it sometimes happens that one stalk of wheat will bear... read more

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