Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 41:6

east wind. In Egypt the prevailing winds are N. and S.: in Palestine E. and W. The wind here is the Ckamsin (Hebrew. kadim), which is southeast, and is a blighting wind. Hebrews had only the four quarters. Had it said here south, it would have meant nothing, but east conveys the nature of the wind, especially as evil was supposed to come from the east and good from the west, as in other countries. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 41:1-8

"And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed: and they fed in the reedgrass. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, and lean-fleshed, and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed a second... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 41:1

Genesis 41:1. At the end of two full years— i.e.. Two years after the event recorded in the former chapter, God was pleased to send Pharaoh a prophetic dream, the scene of which was on the banks of the river Nile, to which AEgypt owed all its fertility: and consequently nothing could be represented with more propriety. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 41:6

Genesis 41:6. Blasted with the east wind— To this wind, Bishop Patrick observes, is ascribed in Scripture all the mischiefs done to corn or fruit, by blasting, smutting, mildews, locusts, &c. Exodus 10:13-15.Psalms 78:26; Psalms 78:26. Ezekiel 17:10. Jonah 4:8. It is more pernicious, in AEgygt than in other places, because it comes through the parched desarts of Arabia. Thevenot, in his Travels, (part I. book ii. c. 34.) gives an account that, in the year 1658, two thousand men were... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 41:1

1. at the end of two full years—It is not certain whether these years are reckoned from the beginning of Joseph's imprisonment, or from the events described in the preceding chapter—most likely the latter. What a long time for Joseph to experience the sickness of hope deferred! But the time of his enlargement came when he had sufficiently learned the lessons of God designed for him; and the plans of Providence were matured. Pharaoh dreamed—"Pharaoh," from an Egyptian word Phre, signifying the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 41:1-8

The "magicians" were "men of the priestly caste, who occupied themselves with the sacred arts and sciences of the Egyptians, the hieroglyphic writings, astrology, the interpretation of dreams, the foretelling of events, magic, and conjuring, and who were regarded as the possessors of secret arts (vid. Ex. vii. 11) and the wise men of the nation." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 1:349.] Divination tries to understand the future, and magic seeks to control it. God withheld the Egyptian diviners from... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 41:1-57

The Dreams of Pharaoh and the Advancement of Joseph1. Pharaoh] It is believed that a dynasty of Asiatic (perhaps Bedouin) conquerors, known as the Hyksôs or Shepherd kings, were now in power in Egypt. Their rule lasted for 500 years, until 1700 or 1600 b.c., when a native Nubian dynasty from Thebes expelled the invaders. The court was at Zoan on the eastern frontier of Egypt. The elevation of Joseph to an almost royal position, and the welcome extended to his kinsmen, were natural at the hands... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:1

XLI.JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAMS HE IS MADE GOVERNOR OF EGYPT, AND MARRIES THERE.(1) Pharaoh dreamed.—After two years spent in the prison, the time has now come for Joseph’s elevation to power; and it is to be noticed that this was not brought about by those arts by which men usually attain to greatness, such as statesmanship, or military skill; nor was it by accident, but according to the Biblical rule, by the direct intervention of Providence. Just as centuries afterwards, Daniel rose... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:2

(2) Kine.—The cow was regarded by the Egyptians as the symbol of the earth, and of agriculture; and naturally both the kine and the ears of wheat rose out of the river, because as no rain falls in Egypt, its fertility entirely depends upon the overflow of the Nile. The cows sacred to Isis were seven in number, and in a copy of the Ritual of the Dead, Mr. Malan (p. 192) found a picture of the seven sacred cows with the divine bull.In a meadow.—Heb., in the marsh-grass. The word occurs only in... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 41:5

(5) Seven ears . . . upon one stalk.—The wheat cultivated in Egypt is called triticum compositum, because it produces several ears upon the same stalk. The statement of Herodotus (ii. 36), that the Egyptians regarded it as disgraceful to feed upon wheat or barley, is disproved by the paintings in the temples, especially in the district of Thebes, which show that it was the main crop there, and its cultivation held in high honour. Maspero, Hist. Ancienne, p. 9, says, “In spite of Herodotus, the... read more

Group of Brands