Joseph Interprets the Dreams of Pharaoh
Genesis 41, verse 1. Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Genesis 41, verse 2. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine-looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Genesis 41, verse 3. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. Genesis 41, verse 4. But the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine-looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. Genesis 41, verse 5. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven ears of corn came up on one stalk, plump and good. Genesis 41, verse 6. Then behold, seven ears of corn, thin and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. Genesis 41, verse 7. But the seven thin ears of corn devoured the seven plump and full ears. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. Genesis 41, verse 8. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the interpreters of Egypt and all its wise men. Thus Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh. Genesis 41, verse 9. Then the cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my sin this day. Genesis 41, verse 10. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the chief bodyguard, both myself and the chief baker, Genesis 41, verse 11. we each had a dream in one night, both he and I. Each had a dream regarding himself. Genesis 41, verse 12. Now there was with us a young Hebrew servant of the chief bodyguard, and we related our dreams to him; and he interpreted them for us. Genesis 41, verse 13. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, but he hanged him.” Genesis 41, verse 14. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. Genesis 41, verse 15. Thus Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” Genesis 41, verse 16. So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Genesis 41, verse 17. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. Genesis 41, verse 18. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine-looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Genesis 41, verse 19. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41, verse 20. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. Genesis 41, verse 21. When they had eaten them, no one would have known they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke and fell asleep again. Genesis 41, verse 22. Again, I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven ears of corn came up on one stalk, full and good. Genesis 41, verse 23. Then behold, seven ears of corn, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. Genesis 41, verse 24. But the thin ears of corn devoured the seven good ears. So I told all this to the interpreters, but there was no one who could explain it to me.” Genesis 41, verse 25. Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: Genesis 41, verse 26. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears of corn are seven years; the dreams are one. Genesis 41, verse 27. But the seven thin and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. Genesis 41, verse 28. This is the thing I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Genesis 41, verse 29. Indeed, seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; Genesis 41, verse 30. but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. Genesis 41, verse 31. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. Genesis 41, verse 32. Now the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Genesis 41, verse 33. Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a sensible and intelligent man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Genesis 41, verse 34. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint governors over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. Genesis 41, verse 35. So let them gather all the food of the seven good years that are coming, and store up grain under Pharaoh's authority, and let them keep food in the cities. Genesis 41, verse 36. That food shall then be as a reserve in the land for the seven coming years of famine in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”
Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt
Genesis 41, verse 37. Now this advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. Genesis 41, verse 38. Thus Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a man as this, who has the Spirit of God in him?” Genesis 41, verse 39. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as sensible and intelligent as you. Genesis 41, verse 40. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41, verse 41. So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41, verse 42. Then Pharaoh took the signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. Genesis 41, verse 43. Then he had him ride in the second of his chariots; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41, verse 44. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41, verse 45. Then Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah, and he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah, priest of On. Genesis 41, verse 46. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Then Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41, verse 47. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. Genesis 41, verse 48. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years of prosperity in the land of Egypt, and stored the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields that surrounded them. Genesis 41, verse 49. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable. Genesis 41, verse 50. Now two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah, priest of On, bore to him. Genesis 41, verse 51. Joseph called the name of his firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father's house.” Genesis 41, verse 52. And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my humiliation.” Genesis 41, verse 53. Then the seven years of plenty in the land of Egypt ended, Genesis 41, verse 54. and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. Genesis 41, verse 55. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.” Genesis 41, verse 56. The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. Genesis 41, verse 57. Then all countries also came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.