Genesis 41:48-56 ASV

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 41:48

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:53

And the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt were ended. Perhaps quickly after the birth of Ephraim, Joseph's second son; since the account follows upon that, and it is certain that he was born before the years of famine began, Genesis 41:50 ; some connect the words, "moreover when" the seven years of plenty were ended, then began, as follows, seven years of famine; these events were fulfilled just as Joseph had predicted. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:54

And the seven years of dearth began to come, as Joseph had said ,.... In the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams; as soon as the seven years of plenty were over, there were quickly some appearances of the famine coming on; as particularly the river Nile not flowing to its usual height at the season of it; hence there was a drought, the earth was parched, and everything began to wither and decay, and the seed that was sown sprung not up: and the dearth was in all lands ; adjoining to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:55

And when all the land of Egypt was famished ,.... Their old stock and store eaten up, and the inhabitants ready to starve with hunger: the people cried to Pharaoh for bread ; as their common father, and knowing that he had stores of provision laid up in all cities against this time: and Pharaoh said to the Egyptians, go unto Joseph ; whom he had appointed over this business of providing and laying up corn against this time, and of distributing it: what he saith to you, do ; give... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:56

And the famine was over all the face of the earth ,.... Not over the whole world, but the land of Egypt; all the inhabitants of it were pinched with it, rich and poor; it reached all parts and all sorts of men: and Joseph opened all the storehouses ; in the several cities throughout the land where he had laid up corn: and sold unto the Egyptians ; for, as he had bought it with Pharaoh's money, it was no injustice to sell it; and as it could be sold at a moderate price, and yet... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 41:46-57

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:53

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:54

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:55

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 41:56

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