Bible Commentaries

CHAPTER 41 Joseph’s Exaltation

1. Pharaoh’s dreams (Genesis 41:1-7)

2. Joseph brought from the prison (Genesis 41:8-15)

3. Joseph’s humility (Genesis 41:16)

4. The revealer of secrets (Genesis 41:17-32)

5. Joseph’s wise counsel (Genesis 41:33-36)

6. Pharaoh’s answer (Genesis 41:37-40)

7. Joseph’s exaltation and marriage (Genesis 41:41-46)

All is so simple that little comment is needed. The dreams impressed Pharaoh, because the cow was a sacred animal, the emblem of Isis. At last Joseph is remembered and brought out of the prison and his raiment is changed. All this finds an application in the life of our Lord. He was taken out of the grave. Compare Genesis 41:16, Joseph’s humility, with the humility of another Hebrew prisoner, Daniel in Babylon. (See Daniel 2:27-30.)

The seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine are typical. This age will close with the seven years of tribulation.

And this dream of Pharaoh and Joseph’s interpretation has been remarkably confirmed by the hieroglyphic inscriptions. One was discovered in 1908 which tells of the seven years of famine, because the Nile did not overflow. It has been ascertained that this was the very time when Joseph was in Egypt.

Then follows Joseph’s exaltation. The name of this Pharaoh was Apepi. His father and grandfather were for a time co-regents with him. He recognized the presence of the Spirit of God in Joseph. Note the beautiful comparisons with our Lord. Pharaoh said, “I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.” Of Christ we read, “Thou didst set Him over the works of Thy hands.” Joseph said, “God hath made me lord of all Egypt” and Christ is “Lord over all.” Joseph is arrayed in royal vesture, and Christ is crowned with glory and honor. The word “Abrech” was cried before him. This word means “bow the knee.” According to Prof. Sayce of Oxford “Abrech” is the Sumerian “Abrok,” which means the seer. This would call for prostration. Thus every knee must bow before our exalted Lord. The name by which he was called is in the Septuagint “Psomtomphanech.” This is an Egyptian name, meaning “saviour of the world.” The word Zaphnethpaaneach means “revealer of secrets.” Even so Christ after He was rejected by His own brethren became the Revealer of secrets and the Saviour of the world.

Before the seven years of famine came Joseph received his bride, Asenath, the Gentile, and Christ will have His beloved with Him before the years of tribulation and judgment come. All had to come to Joseph for corn, as all must come to Christ for the bread of life.