Genesis 41
DOYLYChap. XLII. ver. 1.—when Jacob saw &c.] The ¶ Chap. 66. 30. & 66. 3. ¶ Or, prince. about 1712. ¶ That is, Perpeting. about 1711. ¶ That is, Fruitful. of the Greek version call Poti-pherah, priest of Heliopolis. Bryant.
— And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.] To see what places were fittest for stores. Bp. Patrick.
As soon as Joseph was invested with full power over the dominions of Pharaoh, he immediately took a survey of the land, and entered on proper measures to discharge the office he had undertaken. He did not consider his advancement, as intended merely to give him a figure, and to gratify his own pride and vanity. He knew that this was intended for the publick good; to enable him to do some general service; and to preserve life. This is indeed the design of Providence, whenever a person is advanced to any station of figure and fortune. And consequently men should consider, that the more they enjoy, they are accountable for so much the more; and, as they are capable of doing the more good, so by neglecting these opportunities they expose themselves to the greater punishments. Bp. Conybeare.
Genesis 41:13
- — me he restored unto mine office.] He foretold that I should be restored to mine office; and he told the other he should be hanged. Bp. Patrick. See the note on Jer. i. 10.
Genesis 41:14
- — out of the dungeon:] Where he was possibly ministering to the prisoners committed to his charge. Bp. Kidder.
— he shaved himself, &c.] It was the custom in most countries, when men were in a mournful condition, to neglect their hair, both of the head and beard; and not to shift their clothes as in prosperity; but to continue in a sorrowful dress, expressing thereby the sense they had of their calamity. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 41:16
- — It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh &c.] He had previously ascribed his skill in divination to its all-wise Giver; see chap. xl. 8. The instrument of any extraordinary action ought not to arrogate that praise, which is due only to the author of it. Even our ordinary powers proceed from God: and therefore, as we should do every thing to His glory, so, when we have
done it, we should ascribe our doing it to His power. Bp. Conybeare.
— an answer of peace.] An answer that will be to his satisfaction and the welfare of his kingdom. Dr. Wells.
Genesis 41:25
- — The dream of Pharaoh is one:] One and the same thing is represented by two several figures. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 41:28
- This is the thing which I have spoken &c.] I have told the king in short, what God is about to effect. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 41:29
- — seven years of great plenty] This history of Joseph foretelling the seven years of plenty, and then seven years of famine, and of Egypt preserved thereby, was remembered by the Egyptians, and told by them to Trogus Pompeius, out of whom Justin recites it, though not naming Joseph’s name. Dr. Wall.
Genesis 41:30
- — all the plenty shall be forgotten] It shall be as if it had not been at all, by reason of the succeeding famine. Bp. Kidder.
Joseph giveth Pharaoh counsel. Joseph is advanced. Before CHRIST 1715. pared of God. overset. cut off.
Genesis 41:35
- — gather all the food] The fifth part of the growth, as before stated. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 41:36
- — the land perish not] That is, the people of the land. Bp. Patrick. 38. — a man in whom the Spirit of God is? Pharaoh forms this conclusion from the interpretation which Joseph had given of his dream; compare Dan. v. 11; as also from Joseph’s words before, ver. 16. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 41:40
- — shall all my people be ruled.] In the margin it is kiss; as it signifies in the second Psalm, “kiss the Son,” that is, submit to Him and obey Him. Bp. Patrick. Bp. Pococke, when he describes the Egyptian compliments, tells us, that on persons taking any thing from the hand of a superior, or that is sent from such an one, they kiss it, and as the highest respect put it to their foreheads. The same custom prevails in other Eastern countries. Is not this what Pharaoh refers to in this passage? “according unto thy word,” or on account of thy word, “shall all my people kiss:” that is, I imagine, the orders of Joseph were to be received with the greatest respect by all, and kissed by the most illustrious princes of Egypt. Harmer.
Genesis 41:42
- — took off his ring &c.] Both in token of the dignity to which he was preferred, and that he might seal letters or patents in the king’s name. Bp. Patrick. — vestures of fine linen.] Not “silk,” as in the margin; nor common linen; but that which the ancients called Byssus; a sort of linen very pure and soft, and very dear. In garments made of this, great men only were clothed; kings themselves, it appears by Solomon, being arrayed in such vestures. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 41:44
- — without thee shall no man lift up &c.] No man shall have power to do any thing without thy leave, at least not against thy will. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 41:45
- And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name &c.] It was an ancient custom among Eastern princes, on their promotion of a favourite, to give him a new name. Thus Nebuchadnezzar did to Daniel and his companions in Babylon: and to this day the Mogul never advances a man, without giving him a new name, significant of something belonging to him. Joseph’s new name signified a revealer of secrets; or, more probably, a prime minister, or, the prince of lords. Stockhouse. — priest of On.] Or “prince” of On, as in the margin; for the original word signifies both priest and prince. Bp. Patrick. On among the Egyptians signifies the sun. Hence the city On was uniformly rendered Heliopolis, or the city of the Sun. The authors Manasseh and Ephraim born. The famine beginneth. Before CHRIST 1715. about 1715. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:51
- — forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.] God did for certain purposes order it so; or else it might be counted a wonder, that in all this time he did not send to his father. Dr. Wall.
Genesis 41:57
- And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph] The history of Joseph is a strong and plain example of the circuitous providence of God; that is to say, of His bringing about the ends and purposes of His providence, by seemingly casual and unsuspected means. That is a high doctrine, both of natural and revealed religion; and is clearly exemplified in this history. It
Jacob sendeth his ten sons to buy corn in Egypt. Before CHRIST 1767. said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?