Genesis 41:1-34
years <08141 03117> [A.M. 2289. B.C. 1715. two full years.]
{Shenathayim yamim,} "two years of days," two complete solar revolutions; as a month of days is a full month.
Pharaoh <06547> [that Pharaoh.]
Nile <02975> [the river.]
coming up <05927> [there came.]
reeds <0260> [a meadow.]
Or, rather, "on, or among the reeds or sedges;" for so {achoo} is generally supposed to denote (see Job 8:11); so called, according to Mr. Parkhurst, from its fitness for making ropes, or the like, to connect or join things together, from {achah,} to join, connect: thus the Latin {juncus,} a bulrush, {a jungendo,} from joining, for the same reason. He supposes it to be that sort of reed growing near the Nile which Hasselquist describes as "having scarce any branches, but numerous leaves, which are narrow, smooth, channelled on the upper surface, and the plant about eleven feet high. The Egyptians make ropes of the leaves."
bad-looking <07451 04758> [ill favoured.]
Pharaoh woke up <06547 03364> [So Pharaoh awoke.]
seven heads of grain <07651 07641> [seven ears.]
A species of wheat, which grows in Egypt, bears, when perfect, seven ears on one stalk, as its natural conformation. It differs from ours in having a solid stem, or at least a stem full of pith, in order to yield sufficient nourishment and support to so great a weight as the ears which it bears.
healthy <01277> [rank. Heb. fat.]
burned <07710> [blasted.]
dream <02472> [a dream.]
<07307> [his spirit.]
diviner-priests ... Egypt <04714 02748> [the magicians of Egypt.]
The word here used (chartummim) may mean no more than interpreters of abstruse or difficult subjects; especially of dreams and visions, which formed a considerable part of the ancient pagan religion; and the Egyptian priests were the first who professed this art. The word may be of affinity with, or derived from, the Persian {chiradmand,} wise, learned, judicious, intelligent, from {chirad,} understanding, judgment, and {mand,} endowed with. They seem to have been such persons as Josephus calls sacred scribes; or professors of sacred learning.
wise <02450> [the wise men.]
interpret <06622> [but there.]
recall <02142> [I do remember.]
Pharaoh <06547> [Pharaoh.]
captain ........ chief <08269> [captain.]
servant <05650> [servant.]
interpreted <06622> [interpreted.]
restored <07725> [me he restored.]
Then <07971> [sent.]
quickly <07323> [and they brought him hastily. Heb. made him run.]
shaved <01548> [he shaved.]
heard <08085> [I have heard.]
dream ......... interpret ...... heard ....... interpret dreams <02472 06622 08085> [that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. or, when thou hearest a dream, thou canst interpret it.]
not within <01107> [It is not.]
welfare <07965> [peace.]
eaten ........... done <0935> [eaten them up. Heb. come to the inward parts of them.]
bad-looking <04758> [still.]
withered <06798> [withered. or, small. thin.]
burned <07710> [blasted.]
All the mischief done to corn or fruit by blasting, smutting, mildew, etc. are attributed to the east wind. (See Parallel Passages.) In Egypt it is peculiarly destructive, because it comes through the parched deserts of Arabia, often destroying vast numbers of people. The destructive nature of the {Sam, Simoom, Smoom,} or {Samiel,} is mentioned by almost all travellers. When this pestilential wind advances, its approach is indicated by a redness in the air. The principal stream of the blast always moves in a line of about 20 yards in breadth, and 12 feet above the surface of the earth; but its parching influence pervades all places to a considerable distance. The only means of preservation from its noxious influence is to lie flat, with the face upon the ground, till the blast be over. Camels and other animals instinctively perceive its approach, and bury their mouths and nostrils in the ground. It rarely last more than seven or eight minutes, but so poisonous are its effects, that it instantly suffocates those who are unfortunate enough to inhale it.
told ...... diviner-priests <0559 02748> [I told this.]
God <0430> [God.]
seven ..... seven ..... seven ....... seven <07651> [are. or, signify.]
seven good .... seven ..... seven good heads of grain ... seven <02896 07651 07641> [good ears are seven.]
dreams .... same <02472 0259> [the dream is one.]
seven ........... seven years ..... seven ............. seven years ... famine <08141 07458 07651> [seven years of famine.]
God <0430> [What God.]
seven years <07651 08141> [seven years.]
forgotten <07911> [shall be.]
devastate <03615> [consume.]
abundance <07647> [the plenty.]
It is well known, that in Egypt there is scarcely any rain, the country depending for its fertility upon the overflowing of the Nile; and that the fertility is in proportion to the duration and quality of the overflow, in order to saturate the land and prepare for the seed. Pliny has given a scale, by which the plenty or dearth may ascertained; which may be considered as perfectly correct. The ordinary height of the inundations is 16 cubits. When the waters are lower than this standard, they do not overflow the whole ground; when above this standard they are too long in running off. In the first case, the ground is not saturated; by the second, the waters are detained so long on the ground that seed-time is lost. The province marks both. If it rise only 12 cubits, a famine is the consequence; at 13 hunger prevails; 14 produces general rejoicing; 15 perfect security; and 16 all the luxuries of life.
severe <03515> [grievous. Heb. heavy.]
repeated <08138> [doubled.]
matter <01697> [it is because.]
decreed <05973 03559> [established by. or, prepared of.]
Pharaoh <06547> [therefore.]
look <07200> [look out.]
officials <06496> [officers. or, overseers.]
one-fifth of the produce <02567> [and take.]
