Genesis 41:21 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:21

And when they had eaten them up ,.... Or "were come into their bowels" F11 ותבאנה אל קרבנה "et venerunt ad interiora earum", Pagninus, Montanus; "in ventrem istarum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius, Tigurine version. , into their inward parts, their bellies, being swallowed and devoured by them: it could not be known that they had eaten them : or were in their bellies, they seemed never the fuller nor the fatter for them: but they were still ill favoured as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:21

And when they had eaten them up, etc. - Nothing can more powerfully mark the excess and severity of the famine than creatures of the beeve or of the hippopotamus kind eating each other, and yet without any effect; remaining as lean and as wretched as they were before. A sense of want increases the appetite, and stimulates the digestive powers to unusual action; hence the concoction of the food becomes very rapid, and it is hurried through the intestines before its nutritive particles can be... 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 41:17-21

Pharaoh then relates his dreams in substantially the same terms as those in which they have already been recited, only adding concerning the lean kine that they were ( Genesis 41:19 ) such as I never saw (literally, I never saw such as these ) in all the land of Egypt for badness: and that ( Genesis 41:21 ) when they had eaten them ( i.e. the good kine) up, it could not be known they had eaten them ;—literally, and they ( i.e. the good kine ) went into the... 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

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 41:21

Genesis 41:21. When they had eaten, &c.— It would be difficult to give a more lively idea of the extreme horrors of famine, than that which arises from this picture; the kine which devoured the others, without losing any thing of their ill favour, is the most expressive emblem of that dreadful judgment. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:9-24

Joseph carefully gave God the glory for his interpretive gift in his response to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:16)."As far as Joseph was concerned, absolute truthfulness in guarding God’s honor was far more important than personal advantages." [Note: Leupold, 2:1025-26.] "Like Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar, he expressly disclaims all ability of himself to unfold the secret counsels of heaven, or exercise that wisdom for which Pharaoh seems very willing to give him credit. The same humility has been in... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1-45

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:1-57

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 41:17-21

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:1-57

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 41:21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:9-24

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