Genesis 41:25-36

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:25

And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, the dream of Pharaoh is one ,.... Though there were two distinct dreams expressed under different images and representations, yet the meaning, sense, and signification of them were the same; one interpretation would do for both: God hath showed Pharaoh what he is about to do ; that is, by the above dreams, when they should be interpreted to him; for as yet he understood them not, and therefore there could be nothing showed him, but when interpreted it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:26

The seven good kine are seven years ,.... Signify seven years, and these years of plenty, as appears from the antithesis in Genesis 41:26 , and the seven good ears are seven years ; signify the same: the dream is one ; for though the seven good kine were seen in one dream, the seven good ears in another, yet both dreams were one as to signification. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:27

And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years ,.... Signify other seven years, and these different from the former, as follows: and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine : or there will be seven years of famine that will answer to them, and are signified by them: Grotius, from the Oneirocritics or interpreters of dreams, observes, that years are signified by kine, and particularly he relates from Achmes, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:28

This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh ,.... As an interpretation of his dreams: what God is about to do, he sheweth unto Pharaoh : the events of fourteen years with respect to plenty and sterility. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:29

Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. Not only a sufficiency but an abundance, even to luxury, as when the Nile rose to sixteen cubits, as Pliny observes F13 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 9. ; which, though a natural cause, was owing to God, and that it should thus overflow for seven years successively, and cause such a continued plenty, can be ascribed to no other. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:30

And there shall arise after them seven years of famine ,.... Which might be occasioned by the river Nile not rising so high as to overflow its banks, as, when it did not rise to more than twelve cubits, a famine ensued, as the above writer says F14 Nat Hist. l. 5. c. 9. ; and it must be owing to the overruling providence of God that this should be the case for seven years running: and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt ; the seven years of plenty being all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:31

And the plenty shall not be known in the land, by reason of that famine following ,.... That is, before it would be over; otherwise the former plenty was in some measure known by the stores of provisions laid up in the seven years of it, and which were brought forth when the famine became very pressing; but by that time, and before the seven years of it were ended, there were no traces of the foregoing plenty to be observed: for it shall be very grievous ; as it was both in Egypt and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:32

And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice ,.... Or was repeated to him under different figures and images: it is because the thing is established by God ; by a firm decree of his, and is sure, and will most certainly be accomplished; of which Pharaoh might be assured, and to assure him of it was the repetition of the dream made: and God will shortly bring it to pass : or "make haste to do it" F15 ממהר־לעשתו "festinans Deus ad faciendum", Montanus; "accelerat... read more

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