TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank 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:
World English Bible Messianic
Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river:
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Pharaoh sayde vnto Ioseph, In my dreame, beholde, I stoode by the banke of the riuer:
Young's Literal Translation
And Pharaoh speaketh unto Joseph: `In my dream, lo, I am standing by the edge of the River,
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In the KJVVerse 1,213 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 41 verses 17–32
17 ¶ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
Here, I. Pharaoh relates his dream. He dreamt that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw the kine, both the fat ones and the lean ones, come out of the river. For the kingdom of Egypt had no rain, as appears, Zac 14:18, but the plenty of the year depended upon the overflowing of the river, and it was about one certain time of the year that it overflowed. If it rose to fifteen or sixteen cubits, there was plenty; if to twelve or thirteen only, or under, there was scarcity. See how many ways Providence has of dispensing its gifts; yet, whatever the second causes are, our dependence is still the same upon the first Cause, who makes every creature that to us that it is, be it rain or river.
II. Joseph interprets his dream, and tells him that it signified seven years of plenty now immediately to ensue, which should be succeeded by as many years of famine. Observe, 1. The two dreams signified the same thing, but the repetition was to denote the certainty, the nearness, and the importance, of the event, Gen 41:32. Thus God has often shown the immutability of his counsel by two immutable things, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18. The covenant is sealed with two sacraments; and in the one of them there are both bread and wine, wherein the dream is one, and yet it is doubled, for the thing is certain. 2. Yet the two dreams had a distinct reference to the two things wherein we most experience plenty and scarcity, namely, grass and corn. The plenty and scarcity of grass for the cattle were signified by the fat kine and the lean ones; the plenty and scarcity of herb for the service of man by the full ears and the thin ones. 3. See what changes the comforts of this life are subject to. After great plenty may come great scarcity; how strong soever we may think our mountain stands, if God speak the word, it will soon be moved. We cannot be sure that tomorrow shall be as this day, next year as this, and much more abundant, Isa 56:12. We must learn how to want, as well as how to abound. 4. See the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine, that provision might be made accordingly. Thus he sets the one over-against the other, Ecc 7:14. With what wonderful wisdom has Providence, that great housekeeper, ordered the affairs of this numerous family from the beginning hitherto! Great variety of seasons there have been, and the product of the earth is sometimes more and sometimes less; yet, take one time with another, what was miraculous concerning the manna is ordinarily verified in the common course of Providence, He that gathers much has nothing over, and he that gathers little has no lack, Exo 16:18. 5. See the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great increase of the years of plenty was quite lost and swallowed up in the years of famine; and the overplus of it, which seemed very much, yet did but just serve to keep men alive, Gen 41:29-31. Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall destroy both it and them, Co1 6:13. There is bread which endures to everlasting life, which shall not be forgotten, and which it is worth while to labour for, Joh 6:27. Those that make the things of this world their good things will find but little pleasure in remembering that they have received them, Luk 16:25. 6. Observe, God revealed this beforehand to Pharaoh, who, as king of Egypt, was to be the father of his country, and to make prudent provision for them. Magistrates are called shepherds, whose care it must be, not only to rule, but to feed.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–32. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 41:17 marks the pivotal moment when Pharaoh begins to recount his first deeply troubling dream to Joseph, setting the scene on the vital bank of the Nile River. This opening declaration not only grounds the dream in the essential economic and cultural reality of ancient Egypt but also immediately foreshadows its profound national implications. This verse initiates the divine revelation that will elevate Joseph from prisoner to prime minister, providentially preserving a nation and, ultimately, the lineage of God's chosen people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs Setting as Symbolism by placing Pharaoh "upon the bank of the river." The Nile River is not just a backdrop but a central symbol representing the lifeblood and economic stability of Egypt. Its prominence immediately signals that the dream's meaning will relate directly to the nation's sustenance and prosperity. The use of the interjection "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) functions as a device of Emphasis and Vividness, drawing the listener (Joseph and the reader) into the immediate and striking nature of Pharaoh's dream vision. This direct, declarative opening also serves as Foreshadowing, hinting at the profound national implications of the dream that will soon be revealed through Joseph's interpretation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of nations, even those seemingly outside His direct covenant. Pharaoh's dream is not random but a divinely sent revelation, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and His ability to use any means, including the dreams of pagan rulers, to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The strategic placement of Pharaoh on the "bank of the river" highlights the crucial role of the Nile in Egypt's survival, making it a potent symbol of the coming years of abundance and scarcity, all orchestrated by God's providential hand. This divine communication ultimately serves to prepare Egypt for a crisis and, more importantly, to preserve the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 41:17, though a simple declarative statement, is rich with profound implications for our understanding of God's sovereignty and His work in the world. It reminds us that God is not confined to our expectations or our "religious" spaces; He works through unexpected means and people, even powerful secular rulers and forgotten prisoners, to accomplish His grand purposes. Pharaoh's vulnerability in seeking an interpretation from a prisoner highlights the limits of human wisdom and power in the face of divine revelation. For us, this means recognizing that God can use any circumstance, any person, and any detail—even a riverbank in a dream—to communicate His will and orchestrate events for His glory and our good. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and readiness, understanding that God's providential hand is at work in all things, often in ways we least expect, preparing us for future challenges or opportunities, and always moving towards the fulfillment of His ultimate plan.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the "river" in Pharaoh's dream specifically identified as the Nile?
Answer: While the Hebrew word ye'or (יְאֹר) can generally refer to any stream or canal, in the context of ancient Egypt throughout the Old Testament, it is almost exclusively used to designate the Nile River. This specific identification is crucial because the Nile was the absolute lifeblood of Egypt, dictating its agriculture, economy, and very survival. Its presence in the dream immediately signals that the dream's symbolism will relate directly to the nation's prosperity and sustenance, as the entire nation's fate was tied to the river's annual inundation, as seen in the subsequent interpretation of the seven years of plenty and famine.
Does God communicate with non-believers like Pharaoh through dreams?
Answer: Yes, the Bible demonstrates that God, in His sovereignty, can and does communicate with individuals outside of the covenant community, including pagan rulers, through various means such as dreams. Examples include Pharaoh in Genesis 41, Abimelech in Genesis 20, and Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 and Daniel 4. These communications often serve God's broader redemptive purposes, preparing the way for His people, revealing His ultimate control over all nations, or even calling individuals to repentance. In Pharaoh's case, the dream was a providential warning that ultimately led to Joseph's elevation and the preservation of Israel, demonstrating God's overarching plan for salvation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph, brought from the depths of a prison to stand before the most powerful ruler of his day, interpreting a life-saving dream for a nation, serves as a profound type of Christ. Just as Joseph, through divinely granted wisdom and insight, provided a means of salvation from a devastating famine for Egypt and, crucially, for his own family (foreshadowing the preservation of Israel, the lineage of the Messiah), so too does Jesus Christ, through His ultimate sacrifice and divine wisdom, offer eternal salvation from spiritual death to all who believe. Joseph's journey from suffering and humiliation to a position of unparalleled authority, where he became the preserver of life, powerfully foreshadows Christ's own path of suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, through which He reigns as the ultimate Provider and Savior, sustaining His people through all trials and leading them to eternal life. He is the one who truly provides the "bread of life" (John/6-35) and offers living water (John/4-10) to a world in spiritual famine, just as Joseph provided physical sustenance to a starving world.