Chapter XLI
Ver. l-2(. PHAnAOH's Dream. 1. at the end of two full years—Tt is not certain whether these years are reckoned from tlie beginning of Joseph's imprisonment, or from the events described in the preceding chapter—most likely the latter. What a long time for Joseph to experience the sickness of hope deferred ! But the time of his enlargement was come when he had sufHciently learned the lessons of God designed for him; and tlie plans of Providence wore matured. Pharaoh dreamed—I'liaraoh, from an Egyptian word Phre, signifying the "sun," was the official title of the kings of that country. The prince, who occupied the throne of Egypt, was Aphophis, one of the Memphite kings, whose capital was On or Heliopolis; and who is universally acknowledged to have been a patriot king. Between the arrival of Abraham and the appearance of Josepli in that country, somewhat more than two centuries had elapsed. Kings sleep and dream, as well as their subjects. And this Pharaoh had two dreams In one night so singular and so similar, so distinct and so apparently significant, so coherent and vividly impressed on his memory, that his spirit was troubled. 8. he called for all the magicians of Egypt—It is not possible to define the exact distinction lietween " magicians and wise men ;" but they formed diflTerent branches of a numerous body, who laid claim to supernatural skill in occult arts and sciences; in revealing mysteries, explaining portents; and, above all, interpreting dreams. Long practice had rendered them expert in devising a plausible way of getting out of every difficulty, and framing an answer suitable to the occasion. But the dreams of Pharaoh baffled their united skill. Unlike their Assyrian I)rethren (Dan-
it comes in the character of a hot, bligliting wind, that quickly withers all vegetation (cf. Ezekiel IM. 12; Hosea
13. 15). 24. the thin ears devoured the seven good earg —devoured is a ditlerent word troni that used v. 4, and conveys the idea of di'stroying, liy absorbing to tliemselves
all the nutritious virtue of tlie soil around them.
2.">-3fi. Joseph lNrKKi'«KT.s Pharaoh's Dreams. 25. Joseph said, . . . Tl»e drenm ... is one—They both pointed to the same event— ii remarkable dispensation of seven years of unexam))leil abundance, to be followed by
iel 2. 4) they did not pretend to know tlie meaning of tlie sjinbols contained in them, and the providence of God
Joseph made Ruler of Egypt. GENESIS XLII. Journey into EyrfpU
he would humbly yet thankfully acknowledge the hand of a special Providence in conducting him through all his chequered cour.se to almost royal power; and we, who know more than Joseph did, cannot only see that his advancement was subservient to the most important purposes relative to the Cliurch of God, but learn the great lesson that a Providence directs the minutest events of human life. 46. Joseph was tlxirty years old, when he stood before Pharaoh—seventeen when brought into Egypt, probably three In prison, and thirteen in the service of Potiphar. went ont . . . all the land—made an immediate survey, to determine the site and size of the storehouses required for the different quarters of the country. 47. the earth brought forth by handfitls—
a similar period of unparalleled dearth. The repetition
ol' the dream in two dillerent forms was designed to show the absolute certainty and speedy arrival of this public
crisis; the interpretation was accompanied by several suggestions of practical wisdom for meeting so great an emergency as was impending. 33. Now tlierefore let Pharaoli look out a mau—The explanation given, when the key to the dreams was supplied, appears to have been satisfactory to the king and his courtiers ; and we may suppose that much and anxious conversation would arise, in the course of which Joseph might have been asked whether he hatl any thing further to say. No doubt the providence of God provided the opportunity of his suggesting what was necessary. 34. and let l»lm appoint
officers over tlie land—overseers, equivalent to the beys of modern Egypt, take np the ftftli part of the land
singular expression, alluding not only to the luxuriance of the crop, but the practice of the reapers grasping the ears, which alone were cut. 48. he gathered up all the food of the seven years—It gives a striking idea of the exuberant fertility of this land, that, from the superalnindance of the seven plenteous years, corn enough was laid up for the subsistence, not only of its home population, but of the neighbouring countries, during the seven years of dearth. 50-5^. unto Joseph %vere born two sons—These domestic events, which increased his temporal happiness, develop the piety of his character in the names conferred upon his children. 5356. The seven years of plenteousuess . . . ended—Over and above the proportion purchased for the government during the yejirs of plenty, the people could still have husbanded much for future use. But improvident as men commonly are in the time of prosperity, they found themselves in want, and must have starved in thousands had not Joseph anticipated and provided for the protracted calamity. 57. The famine was sore In all lands i. e., the lauds contiguous to Egypt—Canaan, Syria, and Arabia.
i.e., of the land produce; to be purchased and stored by government, instead of being sold to foreign corn merchants.
37^7. Joseph made Ruler of Egypt. 38. Phax-aoh said unto his servants—The kings of ancient Egypt were assisted in the management of state afTairs by tlie advice of the most distinguished members of tlie priestly order; and, accordingly, before admitting Joseph to the new and extraordinary offlce that was to be created, those ministers were consulted as to the expediency and propriety of tlie appointment, a man in -whom the Spirit of God is—An acknowledgment of the being and power of the true God, though faint and feeble, continued to linger amongst the higher classes long after idolatry had come to prevail. 4:0. Thou shalt be over my house This sudden change in the condition of a man who liad
Just been taken out of prison, could take place nowhere, except in Egypt. In ancient as well as modern times, slaves have often risen to be its rulers. But tlie special providence of God had determined to make Joseph governor' of Egypt; and the way was paved for it by the deep and universal conviction produced in the minds both of the king and his councillors, that a Divine spirit animated his mind, and had given him such extraordinary knowledge, according uitto thy word shall all my people he ruled lit., kiss. Tliis refers to the edict granting olRcial power to Joseph, to be issued in the form of a firman, as in all Oriental countries; and all wlio should receive that order would kiss it, according to the usual Eastern mode of acknowledging obedience and respect for the sovereign. [Wilkinson.] 41. Pli.Tvnoh said, . . . Sec, I have set thee over all tl»e land—These words were preliminary to investiture with tlie insignia of