King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
Complete Jewish Bible:
Pharaoh said to Yosef, "In my dream, I stood at the edge of the river;
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,
American Standard Version:
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the brink of the river:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Pharaoh{H6547} said{H1696} unto Joseph{H3130}, In my dream{H2472}, behold, I stood{H5975} upon the bank{H8193} of the river{H2975}:
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Genesis 41:17
Genesis 41:17 is part of the narrative concerning Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and eventually ended up in Egypt. The verse is situated within the account of Pharaoh's dreams, which he is recounting to Joseph. Pharaoh has been troubled by two dreams that no one in his court can interpret, and when Joseph's ability to interpret dreams becomes known, he is brought before Pharaoh.
Themes:
1. **Divine Providence**: The story of Joseph is a powerful testament to the theme of divine providence. Despite the trials Joseph faces, God's plan for him unfolds, leading to his eventual exaltation in Egypt.
2. **Wisdom and Interpretation**: Joseph's gift for interpreting dreams highlights the importance of wisdom and the ability to discern meaning beyond the surface, which is a recurring theme in the Bible.
3. **God's Sovereignty**: The narrative underscores that God is in control of all things, including the dreams of a foreign ruler, and can use even unlikely circumstances to fulfill His purposes.
4. **Humility and Exaltation**: Joseph's journey from a pit to the pinnacle of Egyptian society illustrates the biblical theme of humility preceding honor or exaltation.
Historical Context:
The events described in Genesis, including Joseph's life, are set in the context of the early Hebrew patriarchs, who lived in the land of Canaan. The story of Joseph would likely date to the late Bronze Age, around the 2nd millennium BCE. Egypt at this time was a powerful and prosperous nation, with a complex society and a strong central government ruled by the Pharaoh.
In the ancient world, dreams were often considered to be messages from the divine, and the ability to interpret them was highly valued. The narratives of Joseph and Pharaoh would have resonated with contemporary audiences who understood the significance of dreams and the role of dream interpreters in royal courts.
The dreams of Pharaoh, as described in Genesis 41, involved seven healthy cows consumed by seven lean cows, and seven healthy ears of grain consumed by seven withered ears. These dreams were interpreted by Joseph as prophetic visions foretelling seven years of plenty followed by seven years of severe famine. This interpretation leads to Joseph's rise to power as he is appointed by Pharaoh to oversee the storage of grain during the years of abundance to prepare for the lean years.
This verse and the surrounding narrative serve as a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph, setting the stage for his ascent to a position of authority and for the subsequent migration of his family to Egypt, which will eventually lead to their enslavement and the events of the Exodus.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6547
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
Transliteration: Parʻôh
Pronunciation: par-o'
Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh. - Strong's Number: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. - Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H2472
There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲלוֹם
Transliteration: chălôwm
Pronunciation: khal-ome'
Description: or (shortened) חֲלֹם; from חָלַם; a dream; dream(-er). - Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. - Strong's Number: H8193
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂפָה
Transliteration: sâphâh
Pronunciation: saw-faw'
Description: or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from סָפָה or שָׁפָה through the idea of termination (compare סוֹף); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.); band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. - Strong's Number: H2975
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְאֹר
Transliteration: yᵉʼôr
Pronunciation: yeh-ore'
Description: of Egyptian origin; a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the Tigris, as the main river of Assyria; brook, flood, river, stream.