1Po dvou dlouhých letech měl farao sen: Stál u Nilu 2a hle, z Nilu vystoupilo sedm nápadně krásných a tučných krav a pásly se v mokřině. 3Náhle za nimi z Nilu vystoupilo sedm jiných krav, nápadně ošklivých a hubených; postavily se k těm prvním kravám na břehu Nilu 4a tyto ošklivé a hubené krávy sežraly těch sedm krásných a tučných. Vtom se Farao probudil. 5Když znovu usnul, měl další sen: Na jednom stéble vyrostlo sedm bohatých a pěkných klasů. 6Náhle za nimi vyrazilo sedm klasů hubených a sežehlých východním větrem 7a ty hubené klasy pohltily těch sedm bohatých a pěkných. Vtom se farao probudil a hle, byl to sen. 8Ráno pak byl farao velmi rozrušen, a tak si dal zavolat všechny věštce a mudrce Egypta a vyprávěl jim své sny. Nikdo je však faraonovi neuměl vyložit. 9Tehdy k faraonovi promluvil vrchní číšník: „Musím dnes připomenout své prohřešky: 10Farao se kdysi rozhněval na své služebníky a dal mě do vězení v domě velitele stráže – mě a vrchního pekaře. 11Já i on jsme tam měli ve stejnou noc sen, každý jsme měli sen s vlastním významem. 12A byl tam s námi jeden hebrejský mladík, otrok velitele stráže. Vyprávěli jsme mu své sny a on nám je vyložil; každému dal výklad jeho snu. 13A jak nám vyložil, tak se stalo: mně byl vrácen můj úřad a pekař byl oběšen.“ 14Farao si tedy dal Josefa zavolat. Spěšně ho vytáhli z jámy, a když se oholil a převlékl si šaty, přišel k faraonovi. 15Ten Josefovi řekl: „Měl jsem sen a nikdo ho neumí vyložit. Slyšel jsem však o tobě, že jakmile uslyšíš sen, vyložíš ho.“ 16Josef faraonovi odpověděl: „Ne já, ale Bůh dá faraonovi příznivou odpověď!“ 17Farao tedy Josefovi řekl: „Měl jsem sen: Stál jsem na břehu Nilu 18a hle, z Nilu vystoupilo sedm tučných a nápadně krásných krav a pásly se v mokřině. 19Náhle za nimi vystoupilo sedm jiných krav, churavých, nápadně ošklivých a tak vyhublých, že jsem takovou ošklivost v celé egyptské zemi ještě neviděl. 20Ty vyhublé a ošklivé krávy pak sežraly těch sedm prvních, tučných krav. 21A ačkoli je sežraly, nebylo to na nich vůbec znát, neboť byly stejně ošklivé jako předtím. A vtom jsem se probudil. 22V dalším snu jsem viděl, jak na jednom stéble vyrostlo sedm klasů, bohatých a pěkných. 23Náhle za nimi vyrazilo sedm klasů planých, hubených a sežehlých východním větrem 24a ty hubené klasy pohltily těch sedm pěkných. Vyprávěl jsem to věštcům, ale nikdo mi to neuměl vysvětlit.“ 25Josef tedy faraonovi řekl: „Faraonův sen je jeden a tentýž. Bůh faraonovi oznámil, co se chystá učinit: 26Sedm pěkných krav je sedm let, sedm pěkných klasů je rovněž sedm let – je to jeden a tentýž sen. 27Sedm vyhublých a ošklivých krav vystupujících za nimi je sedm let, stejně jako těch sedm prázdných klasů sežehlých východním větrem. Je to sedm let hladu. 28Jak jsem už řekl, Bůh faraonovi ukázal, co se chystá učinit. 29Hle, na celou egyptskou zem přichází sedm let veliké hojnosti. 30Po nich však nastane sedm let hladu, kdy se v egyptské zemi na všechnu tu hojnost zapomene. Hlad stráví celou zem. 31Tento hlad bude tak krutý, že předcházející hojnost nebude v zemi vůbec znát. 32A že byl ten sen faraonovi dvakrát zopakován, znamená, že ta věc je u Boha jistá a Bůh ji brzy vykoná. 33Nechť tedy farao vybere rozvážného a moudrého muže a ustanoví ho nad egyptskou zemí. 34Nechť farao začne jednat. Ať ustaví nad zemí úředníky a během těch sedmi let hojnosti vybírá pětinu úrody egyptské země. 35Úředníci ať během těch nadcházejících dobrých let shromažďují všechny potraviny, ať uskladní obilí pod faraonovu pravomoc, uloží potraviny do měst a hlídají je. 36Tak vznikne pro celou zem zásoba jídla na těch sedm let hladu, který v Egyptě nastane, a země se nezhroutí hladem.“ 37Faraonovi i všem jeho služebníkům se ten návrh líbil. 38Farao to probíral se svými služebníky: „Cožpak najdeme někoho, v kom by byl Boží Duch jako v něm?“ 39Farao tedy oslovil Josefa: „Jelikož ti Bůh dal poznat toto vše, nikdo nebude tak rozvážný a moudrý jako ty! 40Ty budeš správcem mého domu a všechen můj lid se podrobí tvým rozkazům. Sám tě budu převyšovat jen trůnem.“ 41Potom farao Josefovi řekl: „Hle, ustanovuji tě správcem nad celou egyptskou zemí!“ 42Farao sňal z ruky svůj pečetní prsten a navlékl ho na ruku Josefovi; oblékl mu kmentové roucho a na krk mu pověsil zlatý řetěz. 43Potom ho nechal vozit ve voze jako svého zástupce a provolávat před ním: „Na kolena!“ Tak ho ustanovil správcem nad celou egyptskou zemí. 44Farao Josefovi řekl: „Já jsem farao, ale bez tvého svolení nikdo v celém Egyptě nepohne rukou ani nohou!“ 45Tehdy dal farao Josefovi jméno Cafnat-paneach a oženil ho s Asenat, dcerou Putifery, kněze z Heliopole. Tak se Josef dostal do čela egyptské země. 46Když stanul před faraonem, králem Egypta, bylo Josefovi třicet let. Josef pak vyšel od faraona a procházel celou egyptskou zem. 47V sedmi letech hojnosti země vydávala úrodu plnými hrstmi. 48Josef tedy po sedm let v egyptské zemi shromažďoval všechny potraviny a ukládal je ve městech. V každém městě ukládal potraviny z okolních polí. 49Tak Josef nashromáždil nesmírné množství obilí, jako je mořského písku. Nakonec ho přestal i počítat, neboť ho bylo bezpočtu. 50Ještě než přišla léta hladu, se Josefovi narodili dva synové. Porodila mu je Asenat, dcera Putifery, kněze z Heliopole. 51Josef dal prvorozenému jméno Manases, Zapomnění, neboť řekl: „Bůh mi dal zapomenout na všechno mé strádání, na celý můj otcovský dům.“ 52Druhému pak dal jméno Efraim, Plodnost, neboť řekl: „Bůh mě v zemi mého trápení učinil plodným.“ 53Když pak v Egyptě uplynulo sedm let hojnosti, 54přišlo na řadu sedm let hladu, jak Josef předpověděl. Ve všech zemích byl hlad, ale v celém Egyptě byl chléb. 55A když začala hladovět i celá egyptská zem a lid volal k faraonovi o chléb, farao řekl všem Egypťanům: „Jděte za Josefem! Udělejte, cokoli vám řekne.“ 56Hlad zachvátil celý svět. Josef tehdy otevřel všechny obilnice a prodával Egypťanům zrní, neboť hlad se rozmáhal i v egyptské zemi. 57Celý svět přicházel k Josefovi do Egypta nakupovat zrní, protože se po celém světě rozmohl hlad.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 Observe, 1. The delay of Joseph's enlargement. It was not till
the end of two full years (
Gen 41:1); so long he waited after he had entrusted the chief butler with his case and began to have some prospect of relief. Note, We have need of patience, not only bearing, but waiting, patience. Joseph lay in prison until the time that his word came,
Pss 105:19. There is a time set for the deliverance of God's people; that time will come, though it seem to tarry; and, when it comes, it will appear to have been the best time, and therefore we ought to wait for it (
Hab 2:3), and not think two full years too long to continue waiting. 2. The means of Joseph's enlargement, which were Pharaoh's dreams, here related. If we were to look upon them as ordinary dreams, we might observe from them the follies and absurdities of a roving working fancy, how it represents to itself tame cows as beasts of prey (nay, more ravenous than any, eating up those of their own kind), and ears of corn as devouring one another. Surely in the multitude of dreams, nay, even in one dream, there are divers vanities,
Qoh 5:7. Now that God no longer speaks to us in that way, I think it is no matter how little we either heed them or tell them. Foolish dreams related can make no better than foolish talk. But these dreams which Pharaoh dreamed carried their own evidence with them that they were sent of God; and therefore, when he awoke, his spirit was troubled,
Gen 41:8. It cannot but put us into a concern to receive any extraordinary message from heaven, because we are conscious to ourselves that we have no reason to expect any good tidings thence. His magicians were puzzled, the rules of their art failed them: these dreams of Pharaoh, it seems, did not fall within the compass of them, so that they could not offer at the interpretation of them. This was to make Joseph's performance by the Spirit of God the more admirable. Human reason, prudence, and foresight, must be nonplussed, that divine revelation may appear the more glorious in the contrivance of our redemption,
1Cor 2:13,
1Cor 2:14. Compare with this story,
Dan 2:27;
Dan 4:7;
Dan 5:8. Joseph's own dreams were the occasion of his troubles, and now Pharaoh's dreams were the occasion of his enlargement.
9 Here is, 1. The recommending of Joseph to Pharaoh for an interpreter. The chief butler did it more in compliment to Pharaoh, to oblige him, than in gratitude to Joseph, or in compassion for his case. He makes a fair confession (
Gen 41:9):
I remember my faults this day, in forgetting Joseph. Note, It is best to remember our duty, and to do it in its time; but, if we have neglected that, it is next best to remember our faults, and repent of them, and do our duty at last; better late than never. Some think he means his faults against Pharaoh, for which he was imprisoned; and then he would insinuate that, though Pharaoh had forgiven him, he had not forgiven himself. The story he had to tell was, in short, That there was an obscure young man in the king's prison, who had very properly interpreted his dream, and the chief baker's (the event corresponding in each with the interpretation), and that he would recommend him to the king his master for an interpreter. Note, God's time for the enlargement of his people will appear at last to be the fittest time. If the chief butler had at first used his interest for Joseph's enlargement, and had obtained it, it is probable that upon his release he would have gone back to
the land of the Hebrews again, which he spoke of so feelingly (
Gen 40:15), and then he would neither have been so blessed himself, nor such a blessing to his family, as afterwards he proved. But staying two years longer, and coming out now upon this occasion, at last, to interpret the king's dreams, way was made for his very great preferment. Those that patiently wait for God shall be paid for their waiting, not only principal but interest,
Lam 3:26. 2. The introducing of Joseph to Pharaoh. The king's business requires haste. Joseph is sent for out of the dungeon with all speed; Pharaoh's order discharged him both from his imprisonment and from his servitude, and made him a candidate for some of the highest trusts at court. The king can scarcely allow him time, but that decency required it, to shave himself, and to change his raiment,
Gen 41:14. It is done with all possible expedition, and Joseph is brought in, perhaps almost as much surprised as Peter was,
Acts 12:9. So suddenly is his captivity brought back that he is as one that dreams,
Pss 126:1. Pharaoh immediately, without enquiring who or whence he was, tells him his business, that he expected he should interpret his dream,
Gen 41:15. To which, Joseph makes him a very modest decent reply, (
Gen 41:16), in which, (1.) He gives honour to God. It is not in me, God must give it. Note, Great gifts appear most graceful and illustrious when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise of them to themselves, but give it to God. To such God gives more grace. (2.) He shows respect to Pharaoh, and hearty good-will to him and his government, in supposing that the interpretation would be an answer of peace. Note, Those that consult God's oracles may expect an answer of peace. If Joseph be made the interpreter, hope the best.
17 Here, I. Pharaoh relates his dream. He dreamt that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw the kine, both the fat ones and the lean ones, come out of the river. For the kingdom of Egypt had no rain, as appears,
Zech 14:18, but the plenty of the year depended upon the overflowing of the river, and it was about one certain time of the year that it overflowed. If it rose to fifteen or sixteen cubits, there was plenty; if to twelve or thirteen only, or under, there was scarcity. See how many ways Providence has of dispensing its gifts; yet, whatever the second causes are, our dependence is still the same upon the first Cause, who makes every creature that to us that it is, be it rain or river.
II. Joseph interprets his dream, and tells him that it signified seven years of plenty now immediately to ensue, which should be succeeded by as many years of famine. Observe, 1. The two dreams signified the same thing, but the repetition was to denote the certainty, the nearness, and the importance, of the event,
Gen 41:32. Thus God has often shown
the immutability of his counsel by two immutable things, Hebre 6:17,
Hebre 6:18. The covenant is sealed with two sacraments; and in the one of them there are both bread and wine, wherein the dream is one, and yet it is doubled, for the thing is certain. 2. Yet the two dreams had a distinct reference to the two things wherein we most experience plenty and scarcity, namely, grass and corn. The plenty and scarcity of grass for the cattle were signified by the fat kine and the lean ones; the plenty and scarcity of herb for the service of man by the full ears and the thin ones. 3. See what changes the comforts of this life are subject to. After great plenty may come great scarcity; how strong soever we may think our mountain stands, if God speak the word, it will soon be moved. We cannot be sure that
tomorrow shall be as this day, next year as this, and
much more abundant, Isa 56:12. We must learn how to want, as well as how to abound. 4. See the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine, that provision might be made accordingly. Thus he
sets the one over-against the other, Qoh 7:14. With what wonderful wisdom has Providence, that great housekeeper, ordered the affairs of this numerous family from the beginning hitherto! Great variety of seasons there have been, and the product of the earth is sometimes more and sometimes less; yet, take one time with another, what was miraculous concerning the manna is ordinarily verified in the common course of Providence,
He that gathers much has nothing over, and he that gathers little has no lack, Exod 16:18. 5. See the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great increase of the years of plenty was quite lost and swallowed up in the years of famine; and the overplus of it, which seemed very much, yet did but just serve to keep men alive,
Gen 41:29-
Gen 41:31.
Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall destroy both it and them, 1Cor 6:13. There is bread which
endures to everlasting life, which shall not be forgotten, and which it is worth while to labour for,
John 6:27. Those that make the things of this world their good things will find but little pleasure in remembering that they have received them,
Luke 16:25. 6. Observe, God revealed this beforehand to Pharaoh, who, as king of Egypt, was to be the father of his country, and to make prudent provision for them. Magistrates are called
shepherds, whose care it must be, not only to rule, but to feed.
33 Here is, I. The good advice that Joseph gave to Pharaoh, which was, 1. That in the years of plenty he should lay up for the years of famine, buy up corn when it was cheap, that he might both enrich himself and supply the country when it would be dear and scarce. Note, Fair warning should always be followed with good counsel. Therefore the prudent man foresees the evil, that he may hide himself. God has in his word told us of a day of trial and exigence before us, when we shall need all the grace we can get, and all little enough, Now, therefore, provide accordingly. Note, further, Times of gathering must be diligently improved, because there will come a time of spending. Let us go to the ant, and learn of her this wisdom,
Prov 6:6-
Prov 6:8. 2. Because that which is everybody's work commonly proves nobody's work, he advises Pharaoh to appoint officers who should make it their business, and to select some one person to preside in the affair,
Gen 41:33. Probably, if Joseph had not advised this, it would not have been done; Pharaoh's counsellors could no more improve the dream than his magicians interpret it; therefore it is said of him (
Pss 105:22) that he
taught the senators wisdom. Hence we may justly infer with Solomon (
Qoh 4:13),
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king. II. The great honour that Pharaoh did to Joseph. 1. He gave him an honourable testimony: He is
a man in whom the Spirit of God is; and this puts a great excellency upon any man; such men ought to be valued,
Gen 41:38. He is a nonsuch for prudence:
There is none so discreet and wise as thou art, Gen 41:39. Now he is abundantly recompensed for the disgrace that had been done him; and his righteousness is as the morning light,
Pss 37:6. 2. He put him into an honourable office; not only employed him to buy up corn, but made him prime-minister of state, comptroller of the household -
Thou shalt be over my house, chief justice of the kingdom -
according to thy word shall all my people be ruled, or
armed, as some read it, and then it bespeaks him general of the forces. Him commission was very ample:
I have set thee over all the land of Egypt (
Gen 41:41);
without thee shall no man life up his hand or foot (
Gen 41:44); all the affairs of the kingdom must pass through his hand. Nay (
Gen 41:40),
only in the throne will I be greater than thou. Note, It is the wisdom of princes to prefer those, and the happiness of people to have those preferred, to places of power and trust, in whom the Spirit of God is. It is probable that there were those about the court who opposed Joseph's preferment, which occasioned Pharaoh so often to repeat the grant, and with that solemn sanction (
Gen 41:44),
I am Pharaoh. When the proposal was made that there should be a corn-master-general nominated, it is said (
Gen 41:37),
Pharaoh's servants were all pleased with the proposal, each hoping for the place; but when Pharaoh said to them, Joseph shall be the man, we do not read that they made him any answer, being uneasy at it, and acquiescing only because they could not help it. Joseph had enemies, no doubt, archers that shot at him, and hated him (
Gen 49:23), as Daniel,
Dan 6:4. 3. He put upon him all the marks of honour imaginable, to recommend him to the esteem and respect of the people as the king's favourite, and one whom he delighted to honour. (1.) He gave him his own ring, as a ratification of his commission, and in token of peculiar favour; or it was like delivering him the great seal. (2.) He put fine clothes upon him, instead of his prison garments. For those that are in kings' palaces must wear soft clothing; he that, in the morning, was dragging his fetters of iron, before night was adorned with a chain of gold. (3.) He made him
ride in the second chariot to his own, and ordered all to do homage to him:
Bow the knee, as to Pharaoh himself. (4.) He gave him a new name, to show his authority over him, and yet such a name as bespoke the value he had for him,
Zaphnathpaaneah -
A revealer of secrets. (5.) He married him honourably to a prince's daughter. Where God had been liberal in giving wisdom and other merits, Pharaoh was not sparing in conferring honours. Now this preferment of Joseph was, [1.] An abundant recompense for his innocent and patient suffering, a lasting instance of the equity and goodness of Providence, and an encouragement to all good people to trust in a good God. [2.] It was typical of the exaltation of Christ, that great
revealer of secrets (
John 1:18), or, as some translate Joseph's new name, the
Saviour of the world. The brightest glories of the upper world are put upon him, the highest trust is lodged in his hand, and all power is given to him both in heaven and earth. He is gatherer, keeper, and disposer, of all the stores of divine grace, and chief ruler of the kingdom of God among men. The work of minsters is to cry before him,
Bow the knee; kiss the Son. 46 Observe here, I. The building of Joseph's family in the birth of two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim,
Gen 41:50-
Gen 41:52. 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 house? He means the unkindness he received from his brethren, or perhaps the wealth and honour he expected from his father, with the birthright. The robes he now wore made him forget the coat of divers colours which he wore in his father's house. 2. He was made
fruitful in the land of his affliction. It had been the land of his affliction, and in some sense it was still so, for it was not Canaan, the land of promise. His distance from his father was still his affliction. Note, Light is sometimes sown for the righteous in a barren and unlikely soil; and yet if God sow it, and water it, it will come up again. The afflictions of the saints promote their fruitfulness.
Ephraim signifies
fruitfulness, and
Manasseh forgetfulness, for these two often go together; when Jeshurun waxed fat, he forgot God his Maker.
II. The accomplishment of Joseph's predictions. Pharaoh had great confidence in the truth of them, perhaps finding in his own mind, beyond what another person could, an exact correspondence between them and his dreams, as between the key and the lock; and the event showed that he was not deceived. The seven plenteous years came (
Gen 41:47), and, at length, they were ended,
Gen 41:53. Note, We ought to foresee the approaching period of the days both of our prosperity and of our opportunity, and therefore must not be secure in the enjoyment of our prosperity nor slothful in the improvement of our opportunity; years of plenty will end, therefore, Whatever thy hand finds to do do it; and gather in gathering time.
The morning cometh and also the night (
Isa 21:12), the plenty and also the famine.
The seven years of dearth began to come, Gen 41:54. See what changes of condition we are liable to in this world, and what need we have to be joyful in a day of prosperity and in a day of adversity to consider,
Qoh 7:14. This famine, it seems, was not only in Egypt, but in other lands, in
all lands, that is, all the neighbouring countries;
fruitful lands are soon
turned into barrenness for the iniquity of those that dwell therein, Pss 107:34. It is here said that
in the land of Egypt there was bread, meaning probably, not only that which Joseph had bought up for the king, but that which private persons, by his example, and upon the public notice of this prediction, as well as by the rules of common prudence, had laid up.
III. The performance of Joseph's trust. He was found faithful to it, as a steward ought to be. 1. He was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted,
Gen 41:48,
Gen 41:49. He that thus gathers is a wise son. 2. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came, and kept the markets low by furnishing them at reasonable rates out of his stores. The people in distress cried to Pharaoh, as that woman to the king of Israel (
2Kgs 6:26),
Help, my lord, O king: he sent them to his treasurer,
Go to Joseph. Thus God in the gospel directs those that apply to him for mercy and grace to
go to the Lord Jesus, in whom all fulness dwells; and,
What he saith to you, do. Joseph, no doubt, with wisdom and justice fixed the price of the corn he sold, so that Pharaoh, whose money had bought it up, might have a reasonable profit, and yet the country might not be oppressed, nor advantage taken of their prevailing necessity; while he that withholdest corn when it is dear, in hopes it will yet grow dearer, though people perish for want of it, has many a curse for so doing (and it is not a curse causeless),
blessings shall be upon the head of him that thus
selleth it, Prov 11:26. And let the price be determined by that golden rule of justice, to do as we would be done by.
