Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 41
CHAP. XLI.
1, Pharaohs two dreames, of seven kine, and seven eares of corne. 8, The wise men of Egypt could not interpret them. 9, The Butler remembreth Ioseph, and mentioneth him to Pharaoh. 14, Who sendeth for Ioseph out of prison, and propoundeth to him his dreames. 25, Ioseph interpreteth them. 29, Seven yeares of plenty are fore told, and seven yeares of famine. 33, Pharaoh is counselled to provide against the dearth. 39, Ioseph is advanced, to bee over Pharaohs house, and over al the land of Egypt. 45, He marieth Asenath, 49, gathereth up much corne. 50, begetteth two sons, Manasses and Ephraim. 54, The famine beginneth in Egypt and all lands.
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ANd it was, at the end of two yeeres of dayes: that Pharaoh dreamed; and behold, he was standing by the river. And behold, there came-up out of the river, seven kine; faire in sight, and fat in flesh: and they fed in a medow. And behold, seven other kine came-up after them, out of the river; ill in sight, and leane in flesh: and they stood, by the (other) kine; upon the brinke of the river. And the kine (that were) ill in sight, and leane in flesh; did eat-up the seven kine, (that were) faire in sight, and fat: and Pharaoh awoke. And he slept, and dreamed the second-time: and behold, seven eares of-corn, came-up in one stalke, fat and good. And behold, seven eares▪ of▪ corn, thinn & blasted with the east-wind: sprang-up, after them. And the thinn eares swallowed-up the seven fat and full eares: and Pharaoh awoke, and behold, (it was) a dreame. And it was in the morning, that his spirit was striken-amazed; and he sent, and called all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise-men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dreame; and there was no interpreter of them, to Pharaoh. And the chiefe of the butlers spake to Pharaoh, saying: I, doe remember this day, my sinnes. Pharaoh, was wroth with his servants: and committed me into ward, in the house of the Provost Marshall: both mee, the chiefe of the bakers. And wee dreamed a dreame in one night, I and he: we dreamed, each man according to the interpretatiō of his dreame. And there was there with us a yong man an Hebrew; servant to the Provost Marshall; and we told him, and hee interpreted to us our dreams: to each man according to his dreame, did he interpret. And it was, as he interpreted to us, so it was: me, he restored unto my place, and him he hanged. And Pharaoh sent and called Ioseph; and they brought him hastily, out of the dungeon: and he shaved himselfe, & changed his garments; and came-in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said, unto Ioseph; I have dreamed a dreame, and there is no interpreter of it: and I, doe heare say, of thee; thou wilt heare a dreame, to interpret it. And Ioseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in mee: God will answer, the peace of Pharaoh. And Pharaoh spake, unto Ioseph: In my dreame, behold, I was standing, upon the brinke of the riuer. And behold, there came-up out of the river, seven kine; fat in flesh and faire in forme: and they fed, in a medow. And behold, seven other kine, came-up after them; poore and very ill in forme, and lean in flesh: I have not seene their like, in all the land of Egypt, for evilnesse. And the leane and evill kine; did eate up, the first seven fat kine. And they came into the inward-parts of them; and it was not knowne, that they were come into their inward-parts; and their sight was evill, as at the beginning: and I awoke. And I saw, in my dreame; and behold, seven eares of-corne, came-up in one stalke, full & good. And behold, seven eares▪ of corne; withered, thinn, blasted with an east-wind: sprung up, after them. And the thinn ears, swallowed-up the seven good eares: and I told this, unto the magicians; and there is none that declareth it, to mee. And Ioseph sayd, unto Pharaoh; the dreame of Pharaoh, is one: that which God is a doing, hath he declared to Pharaoh. The seven good kine, they are seven yeares; and the seven good eares-of corne, they are seven yeares: the dreame is one, And the seven leane and evill kine, that came up after them, they are seven yeares; and the seven empty eares-of corne, blasted with an east-wind: shall bee, seven yeares of famine. This is the word, which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: that which God is a doing, hee sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, seven yeares are comming: of great plenty, in all the land of Egypt: And seven yeeres of famine, shall rise after them; and all the plenty shall bee forgotten, in the land of Egypt: and the famine shall consume the land. And the plenty shall not be knowne, in the land; because of that famine, afterwards: for it, shall be very heauy. And for that the dreame was doubled, unto Pharaoh, twise; it is because the thing is firmly-prepared, of God; and God hasteneth, to doe it. And now, let Pharaoh provide, a man discreet and wise: and set him, over all the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh doe this; and let him appoint Bishops, over the land: and take up the fift-part, of the land of Egypt; in the seven yeares of plenty. And let them gather, all the meat of these good yeeres that come: and lay-up corne under the hand of Pharaoh, for meat in the cities, and let them keepe it. And the meat shall bee for store, to the land; for the seven yeares of famine, which shall bee in the land of Egypt: that the land be not cut-off, by the famine. And the word was good, in the eyes of Pharaoh; and in the eyes, of all his servants. And Pharaoh said, unto his servants: shall we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said, unto Ioseph; forasmuch, as God hath made known unto thee, all this: there is none discreet and wise as thou art. Thou, shalt be over my house; and at thy mouth, shall all my people kisse: onelyonly in the throne, will I be greater then thou. And Pharaoh said, unto Ioseph; see, I set thee, over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took-off his ring, from on his hand; and put it, upon Iosephs hand: and arayed him, in vestures of fine-linnen; and put a chaine of gold, upon his necke. And he made him to ride, in the second charret, which he had; and they cryed before him, Abrek: and he set him, over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said, unto Ioseph, I am Pharaoh: and without thee, shall not a man lift-up his hand, or his foot, in all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh called Iosephs name, Zaphnath-paaneach; and he gave unto him Asenath, the daughter of Poti-pherah, priest of On, to wife: and Ioseph went-out, over the land of Egypt. And Ioseph was thirty yeares old; when he stood before Pharaoh King of Egypt: and Ioseph went-out, from before Pharaoh; and passed through all the land of Egypt. And in the seven yeares of plenty, the land yeelded, by handfulls. And he gathered up all the meat of the seven yeares, which were in the land of Egypt; and layd-up the meat, in the cities: the meat of the field which was round about every city, he layd-up within the same. And Ioseph gathered corne, as the sand of the sea, very much: untill he left numbring, for it was without number. And unto Ioseph were borne two sonnes; before there came a yeare of the famine: which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah, priest of On, bare unto him. And Ioseph called, the name of the first-borne, Manasses; for God hath made me forget, all my molestation; and all my fathers house. And the name of the second, called he Ephraim; for God hath made me fruitfull, in the land of my affliction. And the seven yeares of plenty, which were in the land of Egypt; were ended. And the seuen yeares of famine, beganne to come; as Ioseph had said: and the famine was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt, there was bread. And all the land of Egypt, was famished; and the people cryed to Pharaoh, for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Goe unto Ioseph; what hee saith unto you, doe. And the famine was, over all the face of the earth: and Ioseph opened all (the houses) that (had corne) in them, and sold to the Egyptians: and the famine wexed strong, in the land of Egypt. And every land, came into Egypt; to Ioseph, for to buy (corne) because the famine was strong in every land.
Annotations.
foreign Here beginneth the tenth section of the …aw, called AT THE END: See Gen. 6. 9.
Vers. 1. of dayes] that is, two full yeares; as a monethmonth of dayes, is a full monethmonth; Gen. 29. 14. See the notes on Gen. 4. 3. So in the second yeare, Nebuchadnezar dreamed: Dan. 2. 1. and behold] the Greeke translateth, he thought he stood. So in v. 17.
Vers. 3. ill] that is, deformed, or (as the Greeke translateth) foule. So after, in v. 4. &c. brink] or bank, Hebrew. lip, So v. 17.
Vers. 6. East-wind] whose propertie is to burne and blast the fruits: Ezek. 17. 10. and 19. 12. Hos. 13. 15.
Vers. 7. the thin] the Greeke addeth, the seven thin eares: so in ver. 20. 24. a dreame] or, the dreame was; that is, continued in his minde and troubled him, as the next words manifest. Of a dreame, see Gen. 20. 3. and 37. 5.
V. 8. striken amazed] the Greeke translateth, his soule was troubled. The Hebrew word signifieth striken or beaten as with a hammer; be hammered. The same is spoken of King Nebuchadnezar in like case, Dan. 2. 1. 3. It sheweth the power of God in his word & works, even before men do understād the meaning of them. magicians] in Hebrew Chartummim, the Greeke calleth them here expositors (elsewhere, inchanters, Exod. 7. 11.) they were such as had skill in the nature of things. Nebuchadnezar King of Babylon called also for such, to shew him his dreame, Dan. 2. 2. and Belshazzar, his vision, Dan. 5. 7. 8. wise-men] the Learned of all Nations, were so called, even among the Iewes, Matt. 23. 34. among the Greeks they were named Philosophers, that is, Lovers of wisdome. Act. 17. 18. Pythagoras was the first, who devised the name, because he thought no man was wise, but God onelyonly. dreame] both his dreames, as the word them after manifesteth: called a dreame, because they were both one, v. 26. or, after the usuall manner of the Hebrew tongue, that putteth one for many: see Gen. 3. 2. interpreter] that could interpret. Thus God maketh the wisedome of the wise, to perish, Esay 29. 14. So was it also with the Mages of Babylon, Dan. 2. 10. and 5. 8.
Vers. 13. he] that is, Pharaoh restored: v. 20. The Greek translateth, that I was restored to my principalitie, and he was hanged. place] that is, as Chaldee expounds it, Office, or ministration. So Gen. 40. 13.
Vers. 14. brought him hastily] Hebr. made him run. So Daniel was brought before the King in hast, Dan. 2. 25. Of Ioseph it is said, The King sent and loosed him; the ruler of the people (sent) and released him: Psal. 105. 20. dungeon] or pit: the Chaldee saith, the house of the prisoners. shaved] who before (it seemeth) had let his haire grow, in signe of sorrow and mourning, as i…. 2 Sam. 19. 24. Mephibosheth had not trimmed (as the Chaldee paraphrast saith not shorn) his beard; from Davids departure, till his returne in peace. And other nations kept this rite: for T. Livius (in his 6. booke) telleth how one Malius being cast in prison, many men sorrowing for him, did let the haire of their head and beard grow long. The like is mentioned of others, Plutarch, in Caton. Vtic. Cicero in Orat. de lege Agrar. And by shaving, understand polling in a seemly sort; for to shave the haire all away, specially of the beard, was also a signe of sorrow, Ier. 41. 5. Therefore both extremities are forbidden, and the mean commanded to the Priests, in Ezek. 44. 20. See also the notes on Lev. 10. 6. garments] his prison weeds, which were also mournful, and so not meet to come in before the King; as Est. 4. 2.
Ver. 15. thou wilt heare] or, that thou canst understand: as hearing often signifieth, Gen. 11. 7. The Greeke translateth, that thou hearing dreames, dost interpret them. to interpret] or, as the Chaldee explains it, & interpret it. See the notes on Gē. 2. 3.
Ver. 16. It is not in me] or, Be it not in me, to take this upon me: or, without me, God will answer. The Greeke (neglecting the points and distinctions) translateth, without God, shall not be answered, the salvation of Pharaoh. The Chaldee addeth, not out of my wisdome, but from before the Lord, answered shall be the peace of Pharaoh. Like modesty was in Daniel also, not to take the glory to himselfe, Dan. 2. 30. 28. peace] in Greek, salvation: peace comprehendeth welfare, prosperity, safety, and all good things. For the word Salom, peace, hath the signification of integritie and whole perfection of ones good estate. So Gen. 37. 18.
Vers. 19. evilnesse] that is, leannes, ill favourednes, or deformity.
Ver. 21. the inward parts] that is, the bowels, as the Chaldee; the bellies, as the Greeke translateth. This noteth the greatnes of the famine: v. 30. And both sorts of kine, fat & leane, comming out of the same river, seemed to portend the means of the famine. For in Egypt there falleth no raine, but the land is watred by the overflowing of the river Nilus, and by the husbandmens care to draw small rivers along to moysten the country, Deu. 11. 10. 11. And as the overflowing of that river is lesse or more, so have they their increase. I awoke] the Greek addeth, and slept againe.
Vers. 30. the land] that is, as the Chaldee explayneth, the people of the land: So v. 36. See Gen. 11. 1.
Ver. 31. very heavy] or vehemently grievous: the Greeke translateth in strong.
Ver. 32. the thing] Hebr. word. firmly-prepared] or surely purposed, stablished: the Greek saith, the word is true. Here God teacheth the reason, why things are sundry times repeated in the Scriptures.
Vers. 34. Bishops] or overseers, officers to visit and looke to the state of the land. The Hebr. Pakid as the Gr. Episcopos, (from whence wee have formed our English word Bishop) is any man that hath charge & office, for any busines civill or ecclesiastical: as the Bishops of the army, Num. 31. 14. 2 King. 11. 16. the Bishops (or overseers) of them that did the work, 2 Chron. 34. 12. 17. So among the Priests & Levites, Num. 4. 16. Neh. 11. 9. 14. and Ministers of the Gospell, 1 Tim. 3. 1. 2. take up the fift] Hebr five the land; as to tithe, is to take the tenth part. So Thargum Ierusalemy expounds it, to take up one of five. Thus taught hee providence in the time of plenty, against time of want; as Solomon doth by example of the pismire, Prov. 6. 6. 7. 8. See also Luk. 16. 9.
Ver. 35. of Pharaoh] the Chaldee explaineth it, of Pharaoh officers.
Vers. 36. for store] or, provision; a thing committed in trust to be kept. See Lev. 6. 2. the land] the Chaldee saith, the people of the land: as in v. 30.
Ver. 37. the word was good] or, the thing was pleasing. God gave Ioseph favour and wisdome in the fight of Pharaoh, Act. 7. 10. and enclined the Kings heart to assent unto good counsell: for the hearing eare, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them: Prov. 20. 12.
Vers. 38. spirit of God] The Chaldee paraphraseth, the spirit of prophesie from before God. The like praise is of Daniel, Dan. 4. 6. & 5. 11. So for office in the Church, men are to bee chosen full of the holy spirit, Act. 6. 3. By this speech of Pharaoh, and by the verse following, it may be gathered, that Ioseph preached many things unto the king, of God, his power, providence, goodnes, &c. whereupon the King made him a teacher of wisdome unto his Senatours, Psal. 105. 22.
Ver. 39. all this] the Greeke saith, all these things. Ioseph hath honour, for opening mysteries: so Daniel in Babylon, Dan. 2. 46. 47. and 5. 29. and the Lambe Iesus; Rev. 5. 5. 9. 12. And as Ioseph by telling two dreames, fell into affliction, Gen. 37. 8. 19. 20. So here by expounding two dreames, he commeth to his exaltation. discreet &c. the Greek translates it, more prudent and wiser then thou.
Vers. 40. over my house] as steward: or governour, as the Chaldee saith, Officer of my house: so 1 Kings 8. 3. 2 Kings 18. 18. Luk. 12. 42. He made him Lord of his house, and ruler of all his possession. Psal. 105. 21. mouth] that is, word (as the Chaldee explaineth it) or commandement: so Iob 39. 30. Num. 9. 20. Luk. 19. 22. Gen. 24. 57. kisse] or apply, namely the hand to the mouth, as Iob 31. 27. in signe of honor and obedience; so the Gr. translateth, at thy mouth shall all my people obey. Or, we may refer it to the former, shall kisse thy mouth, that is, love, honor, obey thee and thy words; in which sense David saith, kisse the son, Ps. 2. 12. and Samuel kissed Saul, when he anointed him King, 1 Sam. 10. 1. and men kisse his lips, that answereth right words, Prov. 24. 26. The Chaldee translateth, at thy word shall all the people be armed. Ioseph had authority over all the Princes of Egypt, to bind them to his will, and to make the Elders wise: Psal 105. 22. the king made him governour over Egypt, and all his house, Act. 7. 10.
V. 41. I set] or give: so v. 43. these words are used as one: see Gen. 1. 17. and 9. 12. and 17. 5. The Gr. saith, I constitute thee this day. As Ioseph over Egypt, so Daniel had the government over Babylon, for expounding the Kings dreame, Dan. 2. 48. Thus God bringeth low, and lifteth up: raiseth up the poore out of the dust; and lifteth up the begger from the dunghill, to set him among Princes, &c. 1 Sam. 2. 7. 8. Psal. 113. 7.
Ver. 42. fine linnen] or, bysse, in Hebrew, shesh: a kind of silk that groweth in Egypt & other lands Ezek. 27. 7. It made costly white cloth, which great personages used to weare: Pro. 31. 22. Ezek. 16. 10. Luk. 16. 19. Rev. 19. 8. The Greeke and Chaldee terme it bysse. See the notes on Exod. 25. 4.
Ver. 43. the second] Kings had two charrets, for more honour and use, 2 Chron. 35. 24. by setting Ioseph hereon, the King honored him; as Mordecai was, by riding on the Kings horse, Est. 6. 8. &c. The Hebrew phrase is charret of the second, wherby may bee meant of the second person, or next to the King. The Greeke translateth, second charret. Abrek] the Chaldee translateth this is the father of the King: as compounded of Ab, a father, and Rek, which the Syriak useth sometime for a King, according to the Latine Rex: and Ioseph professeth, that God had made him a father to Pharaoh, Gen. 45. 8. Thargum Ierusalemy also expoundeth it, God save (or Live let) the Father of the King; the Master in wisdome, and tender in yeeres. Or Abrek is to kneele-downe; the same that Habrek, after the Egyptian manner of pronouncing, as Egalti Es. 63. 3 is used for Higalti: & Ashcem Ier. 25. 3. for Hashcē.
Ver. 44. am Pharaoh] that is, King: for this is an honourable title, and no proper name: see the notes on Gen. 12. 15. It may also be an oath, to confirme his authoritie: so true as I am Pharaoh; so without thee, &c. his hand or foot] that is, do any thing. The Chaldee as before hee spake of armes, ver. 40. so here againe, translateth, without thy word shall not a man lift up his hand to hold weapons, nor his foot to ride on a hgrse, &c.
V. 45. Zaphnath paaneach] Egyptian words, which the Gr. leaveth untranslated, the Chaldee paraphrast interpreteth, The man to whom secrets are revealed: & Philo saith, a finder out of secret things. Hierom expoundeth them, the saviour of the world. priest of On] or Prince, President; (as the Chaldee calleth him Rabba. But the Gr. translateth Priest of Heliopolis. He might be both, as was the manner of those times & places. See Gen. 14. 18. And among the Egyptians, Priests were learned men & Doctors of Arts, aswell as sacrificers to their Gods, Diodor. Sicul. 2. Book. On was a City in Egypt called also Aven, Ezek. 30. 17. in Gr. Heliopolis; that is, the City of the Sun. They of Heliopolis are reported to be the wisest of al the Egyptians, and unto that Citie the people used to resort once a yeer to do honor unto the Sun, by sacrifice. Herodot. in Euterpe. over] the Chaldee addeth, ruler over the land. So in verse 46.
V. 46. old] Hebr. son, that is, going on his 30. yeere: see Gen. 5. 32. So this exaltation of Ioseph was 13. yeers after he was sold into Egypt, Gen. 37. 2. And at this age of 30. yeeres our Lord Iesus began his administration, Luk. 3. 23. so did the Levites in the Lords tabernacle, Numb. 4. 3. and David then began his reigne, 2 Sam. 5. 4.
Ver. 47. yeelded] Hebr. made, that is, brought-forth fruit: see Gen. 11. by handfuls] meaning abundantly, a handfull increase of one kernell.
Ver. 48. laid up] Hebr. gave: see Gen. 9. 12. the field which was &c.] in the Hebrew the words stand thus, the field of the citie which (was) round about it.
V. 51. Manasses] Hebr. Manassheh, the holy Ghost in Gr. calleth him Manassei, Rev. 7. 6. by interpretation, it is Forgetting, or making to forget: the reason wherof followeth. So in Esa. 65. 16. promise is made of former troubles to bee for gotten. fathers house] meaning the molestation and injurie which he had sustained at his brethrens hands.
Vers. 52. Ephraim] that is, Made fruitfull. This son was by Iakob set before his elder brother; & of these two, came two tribes, so Ioseph had a double portion for the first birthright. Gen, 48. 5. 14. 19. 20. 1 Chron. 5. 2.
Vers. 55. was famished] or hungred, had famine.
Vers. 56. all the houses, &c] in Greeke, all the barnes of corne. sold,] to weet, corne. The Hebrew word signifieth breaking, and because corne and meat breaketh mens fast and hunger; therupon it is applyed to the selling and buying of corn or food; the reason whereof is shewed in Gen. 42. 19. where it is called the breaking of the hunger; meaning corne for the hunger (or famine of their houses. So in Psal. 104. 11. by water, the wild asses are said to breake their thirst. To this also we may adde, the phrase of breaking bread, that is, of distributing and communicating it, Esay 58. 7. Act. 2. 46. and 20. 7. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall bee upon the head of him that selleth it: Prov. 11. 16.
Vers. 57. every land] or, all the earth: so the Chaldee saith, all the inhabitants of the earth: in Gr. all countries; that is, the people in them, meaning all the countries adioyning thereabout. in every land] or, in all the earth, as vers. 56. God called a famine upon the land, (or earth) he breake all the staffe of bread. But he had sent a man before Iakob and his house, even Ioseph, who was sold for a servant; him God sent before them, to preserve life: Psal. 105. 16. 17. Gen. 45. 5.