Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Joseph Cast into Prison. GENESIS XL. Tlic Budo's Dream, lessons of practical wisdom that were to be of greatest utility and importance in his future career. Thus it is, that when God has any important work to be done, He always prepares fitting agents to accomplish it. 2. lie tvas in the house of Ills master—Those slaves who had been war captives were generally sent to labour in the tacle of state criminals; and, therefore, it may be presumed that more than ordinary strictness and vigilance were exercised over the prisoners. In general, however, the Egyptian, likeother Oriental prisons, were used solely for the purposes of detention. Accused persons were cast into them until the charges against them could be Investigated; and though the jailer was.responsible lor the appearance of those placed under his custody, yet, provided thej' were produced when called, he was never interrogated as to the way in which he had kept them. 21-33. The Lord . . . gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison, &c. It is highly probable, from the situation of this prison (ch. 40. 3), that the keeper might have been previously acquainted with Joseph, and have had access to know his innocence of the crime laid to his charge, as well as with all the high integrity of his character. That may partly account for his showing so much kindness and confidence to his prisoner. But there was a higher influence at work; for "the Lord was with Joseph, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.'' field, and subjected to hard treatment under the "stick " of taskmasters. But those who were bought with money were employed in domestic purposes, were kindly treated, and enjoyed as much liberty as the same class does in modern Egypt. 3. his master saw that the Lord was with him—Though changed in condition, Joseph was not changed inspirit; though stripped of the gaudy coat that had adorned his person, he. had not lost tlie moral graces that distinguished his character; though separated from his father on earth, he still lived in cortimunion with his Father In heaven; though in the house of an Idolater, he continued a worshipper of the true God. 5. tlie liord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake, &c.—It might be—it probably was that a special, a miraculous blessing was poured out on a youth, who so faithfu Ujand zealously served God amid all the disadvantages of his place. But it may be useful to remark that such a blessing usually follows in the ordinary course of things; and the most worldly unprincipled masters always admire and respect religion in a servant when they see that profession supported by conscientious principle and a consistent life, made him overseer In his house—We do not know in wliat capacity Joseph entered into the service of Potiphar; but the observant eye of his master soon discovered his superior qualities, and made him his chief, his confidential servant (cf. Ephesians 6. 7; Colossians 3. 23). The advancement of domestic slaves is not uncommon, and it is considered a great disgrace not to raise one who has been a year or two in the family. But this extraordinary advancement of Josepti was tlie doing of the Lord, though on the part of Potiphar it was the consequence of observing the astonisliing prosperity that attended him in all that he did. 7. his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph—Egyptian women were not kept in the same secluded manner as females are in most Oriental countries now. They were treated in a manner more worthy of a civilized people—in fact, en Joyed as much freedom both at home and abroad as ladies do in Britain. Hence Potiphar's wife had constant opportunity of meeting Joseph. But the ancient women of Egypt were very loose in their morals. Intrigues and Intemperance were vices verj' prevalent amongst the sex, as the monuments too plainly attest. [Wii.kin.son.] Potiphar's wife was pr()l)ably not worse than many of the sanie rank, and her infamous advances made to Jos<>pli arose from her superiority of station. 9. Ho^»- then enu I do this great wickedness, and sin a{;;ains( Ooil
CHAPTER XL.
Ver. 1-S. Two State Prisoneks. 1. the butler—not only the cup-bearer, but overseer of the royal vineyards, as well as the cellars; having, probably, some hunjlreds of people under him. baker—or cook, had the superintendence of every thing relating to the providing and preparing of meats for the royal tal)le. Both officers, especially Hie former, were, in ancient Egypt, always persons of great rank anil importance; and from the confidential nature of their employment, as well as their access to the royal presence, they were, generally, the highest nobles or princes of the blood. 3. Pharaoh put tliem in ward, &c.—Whatever vias tlieir crime, they were committed—until theircase could be investigated—to the custody of tlie captain of the guard, i. p., Potiphar, in an outer part of whose house tlie royal prison was situated. 4:. The enptaJn of the guard charged Joseph with them—not tlie keeper, though he was most favourably disposed; but Potiphar himself, who, it would .seem, was by this time satisfied of the perfect innoi-ence of the young Helirew, though, probably, to prevent the exposure of his family, he deemed it prudent to detain him in confinement (see Psalm 37. 51. They eniitiuned a season in ward a/., days, how long, is uncerlnin; hut as they were called to account on the king's birthday, it has lx>en snpposed that their ott'ence had been committed on the preceding anniversary. [(;alvin.1 they dreamed a dream—.losepli, intluenced by the spirit of true religion, could feel for others (Ecdeslastes t. I ; Romans 12. 15; Philippians 2. 4). Observing them one d.ty extremely depressed, he inquired the cause of their melam holy; and being informed it was owing to a dream Ihey had respectively dreamed during the previous nlghl, after pioiisly directing them to (Daniel 2. 30; Isaiah '2(). I0\ he voluuteered to aid Ihem, tluough the Divine help, in discovering the import of tlieir vision. The Influence of Provideme must be .seen In the remarkable fact of both or Heei-s dreaminit such dreatns in one night. He nioveth thespirltsof men.
— This remonstrance, when all inferior arguments had failed, embodied the true principle of moral purity— principle always sufficient where it exists, and alone sutli Cient. 14. Then she called unto the men of her house —Disappointed and all'ronted, she vowed revenge, and accused .Joseph, first to the servants of the house, and on his return to her lord. See, he hath hron Iit In an liebrew . . .'to mock ug—an atrected and blind asj)ersii)ii of her husband lor keeping in his house an II('l)r<'\v, the very abomination of Egyptians. tiO. Joseph's iiin Kter took him and put him Into the prison—the round house, from the form of its construction, usually attached to the dwelling of such an officer iis Potipliar. It was partly a subterranean dungeon (ch. 41. It), though tlie brick -l)nllt walls rose considerably above tlie surface of the ground, and were surmounted by a vaulted roof somewhat In the form of an Inverted bowl. Into sucli adun-
9-15. TltK Itt'Tl.lCJt's Dkeam. O. In my drenm, behold, n vine was In'fore me—Tli(> visionary scene descritied, seems to repr(>seiit tlie king as abroad, t.akin({ exercise, and attended by his bul ler, who gave him a cooling dranglit. On all occasions, t he kings of ancient Egypt were required to (iractlse tem))erance in the use of wine
I Wi i.kIjNsd.n] ; hut in this scene, it isa prepared beverage he is drinking, prolmbly the sherl)et of the present day, J';ver,\' thing was done In the king's presence—the cup was waslied, the juhe of the grapes pressed Into It; and it was then handed to him—not grasped; but lightly resting on tlie tijis of the fingers, la-l.l. .Toseph said, (Ceon Potiphar, in the first ebullition of rage, threw Joscjih, and ordered him to be subjected further tons great harshness of treatment (Psalm 105. 18) as he durst; for Mie power of masters over their slaves was very properly restrained by law, and the murder of a slave was a capital crime, a place, wliere the king's prisoners were bound—'I'hongh prisons seem to have been an inseparable api)en(lage of the paliiees, this was not a common lall—It was the recep-. . . This Is the ititerpret Htlon—Sj)e;tklng as an inspired lnt(-rpi<'ter, he told (he butler that williln tliree days ho would be restored to all the honours and pi ivileges of hU office; and while making that joyful announcement, earnestly bespoke the officer's influence for his own liberation. Nolliing has hitherto met us In the record Indie-
Baker's Dream. GENESIS XLI. Pharaoh's Dreem. had determined that they should all be nonplussed in the exercise of their boasted powers, in order that the inspired wisdom of Joseph might the more remarltably appear. 9-13. tlien spake tlie chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults—This public acknowledgment of the merits of the young Hebrew would, tardy tliough it was, have reflected credit on the butler had it not been obviously made to ingratiate himself with his royal master. It is right to confess our faults against God, and against our fellow-men, when that confession la made in the spirit of godly sorrow and penitence. But this man was not much impressed with a sense of the fault he had committed against Joseph ; he never thought of God, to whose goodness he was indebted for the prophetic announcement of his release, and in acknowledging his fdrmer fault against the king, he was practising the courtly art of pleasing his master. 14. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph—Now that God's set time had come (Psalm 1(15. Ifl), no human power nor policy could detain Josiiih in prison. During his protracted conflnement, he might have often been distressed with perplexing doubts; but t.'ie mystery of Providence was about to be cleared up, and all liis sorrows forgotten in the course of honour and public usefulness in wliich his services were to be employed, shaved himself—The Egyptians were the only (hiental nation that liked a smooth chin. All slaves and loreigners who were reduced to that condition, were oliliged, on their arrival in that country, to conform to the cleanly liabits of the natives, by shaving their beards and heads, the latter of which were covered with a close cap. Tlius prepared, Joseph was conducted to the palace, where the king seemed to have been anxiously waiting his arrival. 15, 16. Pharaoh said, . . . I have dreamed a dream—The king's brief statement of the service required, brought out tlie genuine piety of Joseph; disclaiming all merit, he ascribed whatever gifts or sagacity he possessed to the Divine source of all wisdom—declared his own inability to penetrate futurity; but, at the same time, his confident persuasion that God would reveal what was necessary to be known. 17. Pliaraoh said. In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river—The dreams were purely Egyptian founded on the productions of that country, and the experience of a native. The fertility of Egypt being wholly dependent on the Nile, the scene is laid on the banks of that river; and oxen being in the ancient hieroglyprliica symbolical of the earth and of food, animals of that species were introduced in the first dream. 18. there came up out of the river seven kiiie—Cows now, of the buffalo kind, are seen daily plunging into the Nile; when their huge form is gradually emerging, they seem as if rising "out of the river." and they fed in a meadow Nile grass; the aquatic plants that grow on the marshy banks of that river, particularly the lotus kind, on which cattle were usually fattened. 19. behold, seven other kine . . . poor and Ill-favoured— Tho cow being the emblem of fruitfulness, the different years of plenty and of famine were aptly represented by the dilierent condition of those kine—the plenty, by the cattle feeding on the richest fodder; and the dearth, by the lean and famishing kine, which the pangs of hunger drove to act contrary to their nature. 22. I saw In my dream, and, behold, seven ears—that is, of Egyptian wheat, which, when "full and good," is remarkable in size—a single seed sprouting into seven, ten, or fourteen stalks—and each stalk bearing an ear. 23. blasted with tlie east winddestructive every where to grain, but particularly so in Egypt; where, sweeping over the sandy deserts of Arabia, atlve of Joseph's feelings ; but this earnest appeal reveals a sadness and impatient longing for release, which not all his piety and foitU in God could dispel.
16-23. The Dakeb'S DkeAM. 16. I Had tliree white bas Uets—The circumstances mentioned exactly describe his du Ues, which, notwithstanding numerous assistants, tie performed with his own hands, white—ii/., full of holes—I. e., wicker baskets. The meats were carried to table upon the head in three baskets, one piled upon the other; and in the uppermost, the bakemeats. And in crossing the open courts, from the kitchen to the diningrooms, the abstraction of the viands by a vulture, eagle.
Ibis, or other rapacious bird, was a frequent occurrence in the palaces of Egypt, as it is an every-day incident in the hot countries of the East still. The risk from these carnivorous birds was the greater In the cities of Egypt, that being held sacred. It was unlawful to destroy them and they swarmed in such numbers, as to be a great annoyance to the people. 18, 19. Joseph answered and said, fThls is the Interpretation—The purport was that, in three daj's, his execution should be ordered. The language of Joseph describes minutely one form of capital punishment that prevailed in Egypt—viz., that the criminal was decapitafed, and then his headless body gibbeted on a tree by the highway, till it was gradually devoured by the ravenous birds. 80-23. it came to pass the third day, wliich wag Pharaoh's birthday—Tills was a holiday season, celebrated at court with great magnifioence and honoured by a free pardon to prisoners. Accordingly, the issue happened to the butler and baker, as Josepli had foretold. Doubtless, he felt it painful to communicate such dismal tidings to the baker; but he could not help announcing what God had revealed to him ; and it was for the honour of the true God that he should sppnk plainly. 23. yet did not tlie chief bntler remember .Joseph-This was human nature. How prone are in<-n to forget and neglect iu prosperity, those who Iiavelieen their companions in adversity (Amos 6. 6)! But althongli reflecting no credit on the butler, it was wisely ordered In the providence of God that he should forget iiim. The Divine purposes required that Josep.< should obtain liis deliverance In another way, and by other means.
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 suf Hciently 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 difl Terent 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 (Danit 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.
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.
Joseph made Ruler of Egypt. 38. Phax-aoh said unto his servants—The kings of ancient Egypt were assisted in the management of state af Tairs 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 ol Rcial 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 CHAPTER XLII.
Ver. 1-38. Journey into Egypt. 1. Now when Jacob saw that thei-e was com in Kgypt—learned from common rumour. It is evident, from Jacob's language, that his own and his sons' families had suffered greatly from the scarcity; and through the increasing severity of the scourge, tliose men, who had formerly shown both activity and spirit, were sinking into despondency. God would not interpose miraculously when natural means of preservation were within reach. 5. the famine waa in tlie land of Canaan—The tropical rains, wliich annually falling swell the Nile, are those of Palestine also; and tlieir failure would produce the same disastrous eflects in Canaan as in Egypt. Numerous caravans of its people, therefore, poured over the sandy desert of Suez, with their beasts of burden, for the purchase of corn; and amongst others, " the sons of Israel " were compelled to undertake a Journey from which painful associations made tliem strongly averse. 6. Joseph was the governor—in the zenith of his power and influence, he it was tliat sold i. e., directed the sales; for it is Impossible that he could give attendance In every place. It Is proboffice, which were these—the signet ring, used for signing public documents, and its impression was more valid than the sign-manual of the king; the khelaat or dress of honour, a coat of finely wrought lim n, or rather cotton, worn only by the highest personages; the gold necklace, a badge of rank—the plain or ornamental form, of it indicating the degree of rank and dignity ; the |)ri vilege of riding iri a strife carriage, the second cliai iot; aii<' lastly—43. they cried before him. Bow the kne» abrech, an Egyptian term; not referring to prostration, but signifying, according to some, " father" (cf. ch. 45. S); according to others, "native prince"— j. c, proclaimed him naturalized. In order to remove all popular dislike to him as a foreigner. 44. These ceremonies of investiture were closed In usual form by the king in council solemnly ratifying the appointment. I am Pharaoh, and without thee, &e.—a proverbial mode of expression for great power. 45. Zaphnath-paaneah—variously interpreted, "revealer of secrets;" "saviour of the land;" and from the hieroglyphics, "a wise man fl(HMiig from pollution" i. e., adultery, gave him to wife Asenatli, the daughter of—His naturalization was completed by this alliance with a family of high distinction. On being founded l)y an Arab colony, rotl-plierah, like Jethro, priest of MIdian, miglit he a worslilpper of the true God ; and thus Joseph, a jilous man, will be freed from the charge of marrying an Idolatress for worldly cn<ls. Oncalled Aven (Ezeklel .il). 17), and also Hetli-sliemesh (Jeremiah 43.13). In look.lng at this profusion of honours heaped smidenly upon Joseph, it cannot be doubted that a!)le, however, that he may have personally superintended the storehouses near the border of Canaan, both because that was the most exposed part of the count.'y, and because he must have anticipated the arrival of S(ime messengers from his father's house. Joseph'* bretl>r<'n came, and bowed down themselves before him— Ills prophetic dreams were in the course of being fulfilled, and the atrocious barbarity of his hrethrei. had been the means of bringing about the very issue tliey had planned to prevent (Isaiah (K). 11; Uevelatlon
3. 1), last clause). 7, 8. Josepit saw his Iirctltren, and he knew them, . . . but they knew not him-this ia not wouderl'ul. They were full-grown men—he was but a lad at parting. They were In their usual garb—ho was In his official robes. They never dreamt of him as governor of Egypt, while ho had been expecting them. They had but one faci?—ho h.ad ten persons to Judge by. made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly—It would bean injustice to Joseph's character to suppose that this stern manner was prompted by any
PLANTS MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES.
I'Ol'LAli.
Gen. xu. S7«