Two years passed after Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, who had been in prison with Joseph.
"Pharaoh was standing"
"healthy and fat"
"were eating the grass along the side of the river"
tall, thin grasses that grow in wet areas
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was again surprised by what he saw.
"sick and thin"
"beside the river" or "riverside." This is the higher ground along the edge of a river.
"awakened"
"again"
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was surprised by what he saw.
The heads are parts of the corn plant on which the seeds grow.
"grew up on one stem." The stalk is the thick or tall part of a plant.
"on one stock and they were healthy and beautiful"
"that were thin and burned because of the hot wind from the east"
"grew up" or "developed"
"The thin heads of grain"
"he had been dreaming"
"he was troubled in his inner being" or "he was troubled"
"He sent his servants to call" or "He sent his servants to summon"
Ancient kings and rulers used magicians and wise men as advisers.
"I realize now that I have sinned." The phrase "my sins" is used for emphasis. His "sins" are that he should have told Pharaoh something much earlier but he did not.
"You, Pharaoh, were angry"
"with us, your servants"
"put the chief baker and me in the prison where the captain of the guard was in charge." Here "house" refers to the prison.
The most important person who made food for the king. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 40:2.
"One night we both had dreams"
Here "We" refers to the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
"Our dreams had different meanings"
"In prison there was with the chief baker and me"
"We told him our dreams and he explained their meanings to us"
"He explained what was going to happen to both of us"
"what he explained about the dreams is what later happened"
"You allowed me to return to my job"
"the chief baker"
"you ordered your soldiers to hang"
"Pharaoh sent his servants to get Joseph"
"out of the jail" or "out of the prison"
"went before Pharaoh"
"no one can explain the meaning"
"you can explain its meaning"
"I am not the one who can explain the meaning"
"God will answer Pharaoh favorably"
Pharaoh uses the word "behold" to make Joseph pay attention to surprising information.
"weak, and skinny."
"such ugly cows" or "such worthless looking cows"
"well-fed cows."
"no one would have been able to tell that the thin cows had eaten the fat cows"
"Then I dreamed again"
"seven heads of grain"
"grew up on one stem." The stalk is the thick or tall part of a plant.
dead and dried
"grew up" or "developed"
"there was not a single one that could" or "none of them could"
"Both dreams mean the same thing"
"God is showing you what he will soon do"
"seven good heads of grain"
"skinny and weak cows."
"seven thin heads of grain scorched because of the hot wind from the east"
"These events will happen just as I have told you ... revealed to you, Pharaoh"
"he has made known"
"there will be seven years in which there will be plenty of food throughout the land of Egypt"
"Then there will be seven years when there is very little food"
"the people of Egypt will forget about the years in which there was plenty of food"
Here "land" refers to the soil, the people, and the entire country.
Joseph expresses an idea in two ways to emphasize its importance.
"God gave you two dreams to show you that he will certainly cause these things to happen"
"You, Pharaoh, should look"
"give him authority over the kingdom of Egypt" or "put him in charge of the kingdom of Egypt"
Here "land" stands for all the people and everything in Egypt.
"let them divide the crops of Egypt into five equal parts, then take one of those parts"
"during the seven years in which there is plenty of food"
"Allow the overseers to gather"
"during the good years that will soon happen"
"use the authority of Pharaoh to store the grain"
"The overseers should leave soldiers there to guard the grain"
"This food will be for the people"
"This way the people will not starve during the famine"
"Pharaoh and his servants thought this was a good plan"
"a man like the one Joseph described"
"in whom the Spirit of God lives"
"no one else is as capable in making decisions."
"You will be in charge of everyone in my palace"
"you will rule over my people and they will do what you command"
"Only in my role as king"
This ring had Pharaoh's seal engraved on it. This gave Joseph the authority and money needed to carry out his plans.
"Linen" here is a smooth, strong cloth made from the blue-flowered flax plant.
This act makes clear to the people that Joseph is second only to Pharaoh.
"Bow down and honor Joseph." To bend the knee and bow down was a sign of honor and respect.
"no person in Egypt will do anything without your permission" or "every person in Egypt must ask your permission before they do anything"
Translators may add the following footnote: The name Zaphenath-Paneah means "a revealer of secrets."
Priests in Egypt were the highest and most privileged caste. This marriage signifies Joseph's place of honor and privilege.
On is a city, also called Heliopolis, which was "the City of the Sun" and the center of worship of the sun god Ra.
Joseph traveled over the land to supervise the preparations for the coming drought.
"when he started to serve Pharaoh"
Joseph is inspecting the country as he prepares to carry out his plans.
"During the seven good years"
"the land produced big harvests"
"Joseph ordered his servants to gather ... They put"
"The grain that Joseph stored was as plentiful as the sand on the seashore"
"Joseph had his servants store up ... they stopped"
"before the seven years of the famine began"
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name 'Manasseh' means 'to cause to forget.'"
This refers to Joseph's father Jacob and his family.
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name 'Ephraim' means 'to be fruitful' or 'to have children.'"
Here "fruitful" means to prosper or to have children.
"in this land where I have suffered"
In all the surrounding nations beyond Egypt, including the land of Canaan.
It is implied that there was food because of Joseph commanded his people to store food during the seven good years.
"When all the Egyptians were starving"
"Joseph had his servants open all the storehouses and sell grain to the Egyptians"
"People were coming to Egypt from all the surrounding regions"