Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:2
2. Seven well favoured kine Hebrews, seven heifers beautiful in appearance . “The Egyptians esteemed the cow above all other animals . It was sacred to Isis, (Herod . 2:41,) or rather to Athor, the Venus Genetrix of Egypt, and was looked on as a symbol of the earth and its cultivation and food . Hence it was very natural that in Pharaoh’s dream the fruitful and unfruitful years should be typified by well favoured and ill favoured kine . ” Speaker’s Com. In a meadow Rather, in the... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:1
THE DREAMS OF PHARAOH, Genesis 41:1-8. 1. Two full years Hebrews, two years of days . Comp . Genesis 29:14. This may mean two years from the date of Joseph’s imprisonment, or from the date of the butler’s release. More naturally it would mean the latter, as being the thing last mentioned. The river Hebrews, היאר , the yeor, an Egyptian word, and used in the Pentateuch always of the Nile . It was suitable that the dream-vision of Pharaoh should be associated with the sacred river,... read more