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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 40:5-19

Observe, I. The special providence of God, which filled the heads of these two prisoners with unusual dreams, such as made extraordinary impressions upon them, and carried with them evidences of a divine origin, both in one night. Note, God has immediate access to the spirits of men, which he can make serviceable to his own purposes whenever he pleases, quite beyond the intention of those concerned. To him all hearts are open, and anciently he spoke not only to his own people, but to others,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 40:16

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good ,.... Meaning not that it was right and just, though it was; but that it was agreeable and pleasing, and portended good in the event; and therefore hoped a like interpretation would be given of his dream, and this encouraged him to tell it, which perhaps otherwise he would not have done: he said unto Joseph, I also was in a dream ; or had a dream, and in it things were represented to his mind as follows: and, behold, I had ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 40:17

And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh ,.... All sorts of pastry, as tarts, pies, &c.; Josephus F2 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 5. sect. 3. says, two of the baskets were full of bread, and the third had various sorts of food, such as is usually, prepared for kings: and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head ; all the three baskets were upon his head, but this seems to be the uppermost, which the birds could more easily come at; though... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 40:18

And Joseph answered and said ,.... Immediately, directly, without any further thought and meditation, being divinely instructed: this is the interpretation thereof ; of the above dream: the three baskets are three days ; signify three days. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 40:19

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head from off thee ,.... Order thee to be beheaded; so the Targum of Jonathan and Ben Melech interpret it,"Pharaoh shall remove thy head from thy body with a sword:" and shall hang thee on a tree ; his body after his head was severed from it, this should be hung upon a gallows or gibbet, and there continue: and the birds shall eat the flesh from off thee ; as they usually do when bodies are thus hung up, see 2 Samuel 21:9 ; this was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 40:19

Lift up thy head from off thee - Thus we find that beheading, hanging, and gibbeting, were modes of punishment among the ancient Egyptians; but the criminal was beheaded before he was hanged, and then either hanged on hooks, or by the hands. See Lamentations 5:12 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 40:16

Verse 16 16.When the chief baker saw (153) He does not care respecting the skill and fidelity of Joseph as an interpreter; but because Joseph had brought good and useful tidings to his companion, he also desires an interpretation, which he hopes will prove according to his mind. So, many, with ardor and alacrity, desire the word of God, not because they simply wish to be governed by the Lord, and to know what is right, but because they dream of mere enjoyment. When, however, the doctrine does... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 40:19

Verse 19 19.Pharaoh shall lift up thy head from off thee. This phrase (in the original) is ambiguous without some addition; and may be taken in a good or a bad sense; just as we say, “With regard to any one,” or “With respect to him;” here the expression is added “from thee.” Yet there seems to be an allusion of this kind, as if Joseph had said, “Pharaoh will lift up thy head, that he may take it off.” Now, when Moses relates, that what Joseph had predicted happened to both of them, he proves... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 40:1-23

Joseph in the round house at Heliopolis. I. THE PRISONERS AND THEIR ATTENDANT . 1. The prisoners . 2. Their attendant . In this new capacity Joseph behaved himself wisely and with discretion. With regard to his illustrious companions in misfortune, he— II. THE DREAMS AND THEIR INTERPRETATIONS . 1. The dreams — 2. Their interpretations . These were— III. THE INTERPRETER AND HIS REWARD . 1. The interpreter ' s request . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 40:1-23

The inspired man. Joseph is already supreme in the narrow sphere of the prison: "all was committed to his hand." The narrow sphere prepares him for the wider. The spiritual supremacy has now to be revealed. "Do not interpretations belong to God?" The dreams are partly of man and partly of. God. Each man dreamed of things connected with his life. The butler of the wine coming from the grape-clusters, pressed into Pharaoh's cup, given into his hand. The baker of the white baskets and... read more

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