Teks -- Genesis 41:51-57 (NET)

41:51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “Certainly God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.” 41:52 He named the second child Ephraim, saying, “Certainly God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” 41:53 The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end. 41:54 Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. There was famine in all the other lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food. 41:55 When all the land of Egypt experienced the famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the people of Egypt, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” 41:56 While the famine was over all the earth, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. The famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. 41:57 People from every country came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain because the famine was severe throughout the earth.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Gen 41:54 - The seven years of dearth began to come

Not only in Egypt, but in other lands, in all lands, that is, all the neighbouring countries.

JFB: Gen 41:50-52 - unto Joseph were born two sons

These domestic events, which increased his temporal happiness, develop the piety of his character in the names conferred upon his children.

JFB: Gen 41:53-56 - The seven years of plenteousness . . . ended

Over and above the proportion purchased for the government during the years of plenty, the people could still have husbanded much for future use. But improvident as men commonly are in the time of prosperity, they found themselves in want, and would have starved by thousands had not Joseph anticipated and provided for the protracted calamity.

JFB: Gen 41:57 - The famine was sore in all lands

That is, the lands contiguous to Egypt--Canaan, Syria, and Arabia.

Clarke: Gen 41:54 - The seven years of dearth began to come

The seven years of dearth began to come - Owing in Egypt to the Nile not rising more than twelve or thirteen cubits; (See Clarke on Gen 41:31 (note)); but there must have been other causes which affected other countries, not immediately dependent on the Nile, though remotely connected with Egypt and Canaan

Clarke: Gen 41:54 - The dearth was in all lands

The dearth was in all lands - All the countries dependent on the Nile. And it appears that a general drought had taken place, at least through all Egypt and Canaan; for it is said, Gen 41:57, that the famine was sore in all lands - Egypt and Canaan, and their respective dependencies.

Clarke: Gen 41:55 - When all the land of Egypt was famished

When all the land of Egypt was famished - As Pharaoh, by the advice of Joseph, had exacted a fifth part of all the grain during the seven years of plenty, it is very likely that no more was left than what was merely necessary to supply the ordinary demand both in the way of home consumption, and for the purpose of barter or sale to neighboring countries.

Clarke: Gen 41:56 - Over all the face of the earth

Over all the face of the earth - The original, כל פני הארץ col peney haarets , should be translated, all the face of that land, viz., Egypt, as it is explained at the end of the verse.

Clarke: Gen 41:57 - All countries came into Egypt - to buy

All countries came into Egypt - to buy - As there had not been a sufficiency of rains, vapours, etc., to swell the Nile, to effect a proper inundation in Egypt, the same cause would produce drought, and consequently scarcity, in all the neighboring countries; and this may be all that is intended in the text

1.    As the providence of God evidently led the butler and baker of Pharaoh, as well as the king himself, to dream the prophetic dreams mentioned in this and the preceding chapter, so his Spirit in Joseph led to the true interpretation of them. What a proof do all these things give us of a providence that is so general as to extend its influence to every part, and so particular as to notice, influence, and direct the most minute circumstances! Surely God "has way every where, and all things serve his will.

2.    Dreams have been on one hand superstitiously regarded, and on the other skeptically disregarded. That some are prophetic there can be no doubt; that others are idle none can hesitate to believe. Dreams may be divided into the six following kinds

    1. Those which are the mere nightly result of the mind’ s reflections and perplexities during the business of the day

    2. Those which spring from a diseased state of the body, occasioning startings, terrors, etc

    3. Those which spring from an impure state of the heart, mental repetitions of those acts or images of illicit pleasure, riot, and excess, which form the business of a profligate life

    4. Those which proceed from a diseased mind, occupied with schemes of pride, ambition, grandeur, etc. These, as forming the characteristic conduct of the life, are repeatedly reacted in the deep watches of the night, and strongly agitate the soul with illusive enjoyments and disappointments

    5. Those which come immediately from Satan, which instill thoughts and principles opposed to truth and righteousness, leaving strong impressions on the mind suited to its natural bent and turn, which, in the course of the day, by favoring circumstances, may be called into action

    6. Those which come from God, and which necessarily lead to him, whether prophetic of future good or evil, or impressing holy purposes and heavenly resolutions. Whatever leads away from God, truth, and righteousness, must be from the source of evil; whatever leads to obedience to God, and to acts of benevolence to man, must be from the source of goodness and truth. Reader, there is often as much superstition in disregarding as in attending to dreams; and he who fears God will escape it in both.

Calvin: Gen 41:53 - And the seven years... were ended

53.And the seven years... were ended. Already the former unwonted fertility, which showed Joseph to have been a true prophet, had procured for him a name and reputation; and in this way the Egyptians had been restrained from raising any tumult against him. Nevertheless, it is wonderful that a people so proud should have borne, in the time of prosperity, the rule of a foreigner. But the famine which followed proved a more sharp and severe curb for the subjugation of their lofty and ferocious spirits, in order that they might be brought into subjection to authority. When, however, Moses says that there was corn in all the land of Egypt, while the neighboring regions were suffering from hunger, he seems to intimate that wheat had also been laid up by private persons. And, indeed, (as we have said elsewhere,) it was impossible but the rumor of the approaching famine would be spread abroad, and would everywhere infuse fears and solicitude, so that each person would make some provision for himself. Nevertheless, however provident each might be, what they had preserved would, in a short time, be consumed. Whence it appeared with what skill and prudence Joseph had perceived from the beginning, that Egypt would not be safe, unless provisions were publicly gathered together under the hand of the king.

Calvin: Gen 41:55 - Go unto Joseph

55.Go unto Joseph. It is by no means unusual for kings, while their subjects are oppressed by extreme sufferings, to give themselves up to pleasures. But Moses here means something else; for Pharaoh does not exonerate himself from the trouble of distributing corn, because he wishes to enjoy a repose free from all inconvenience; but because he hassuch confidence in holy Joseph, that he willingly leaves all things to him, and does not allow him to be disturbed in the discharge of the office which he had undertaken.

TSK: Gen 41:51 - called // Manasseh // forget

called : am 2292, bc 1712, Gen 48:5, Gen 48:13, Gen 48:14, Gen 48:18-20; Deu 33:17

Manasseh : i.e. Forgetting, Gen 41:30; Psa 45:10; Isa 57:16

forget : Psa 30:5, Psa 30:11; Pro 31:7; Isa 65:16

TSK: Gen 41:52 - called he // Ephraim // the land

am 2293, bc 1711

called he : Gen 29:32-35, Gen 30:6-13, Gen 50:23

Ephraim : i.e. Fruitful, Gen 48:16-19, Gen 49:22; Isa 40:1, Isa 40:2

the land : Psa 105:17, Psa 105:18; Amo 6:6; Act 7:10

TSK: Gen 41:53

am 2296, bc 1708, Gen 41:29-31; Psa 73:20; Luk 16:25

TSK: Gen 41:54 - the seven // according // and the dearth

the seven : Gen 41:3, Gen 41:4, Gen 41:6, Gen 41:7, Gen 41:27, Gen 45:11; Psa 105:16; Act 7:11

according : Gen 41:30

and the dearth : Gen 42:2, Gen 42:5, Gen 42:6, Gen 43:1, Gen 45:11, Gen 47:13

TSK: Gen 41:55 - famished // Go unto

famished : 2Ki 6:25-29; Jer 14:1-6; Lam 4:3-10

Go unto : Gen 41:40, Gen 41:41; Psa 105:20-22; Mat 3:17, Mat 17:5; Joh 1:14-16; Phi 4:19; Col 1:19

TSK: Gen 41:56 - the face // all the storehouses // sold

the face : Isa 23:17; Zec 5:3; Luk 21:35; Act 17:26

all the storehouses : Heb. all wherein was

sold : Gen 42:6, Gen 47:14-24

TSK: Gen 41:57 - all countries // in all lands

all countries : Gen 42:1, Gen 42:5, Gen 50:20; Deu 9:28; Psa 105:16, Psa 105:17

in all lands : Gen 41:54, Gen 41:56

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Gen 41:51 - All my toil, and all my father’ s house

i.e. Hath expelled all sorrowful remembrance of it by my present comfort and glory.

All my toil, and all my father’ s house i.e. the toil of my father’ s house, or the toil and misery which for many years I have endured by means of my father’ s family, and my own brethren, who sold me hither; a figure called hendyadis.

Poole: Gen 41:52

1711 In the land which hitherto hath been to me a land of affliction.

Poole: Gen 41:54 - In all lands

In all lands in all the neighbouring countries, appears by comparing this with Gen 42:1 .

Poole: Gen 41:55 - The people cried to Pharaoh

The people cried to Pharaoh as to their king and common father. Compare 2Ki 6:26 .

Haydock: Gen 41:51 - Manasses // Father's house

Manasses. That is, oblivion, or forgetting. (Challoner) ---

Father's house, or the injuries received from my brethren. (Haydock)

Haydock: Gen 41:52 - Ephraim // Poverty

Ephraim. That is, fruitful, or growing. (Challoner) ---

Being in the plural number, it means "productions." ---

Poverty; where I have been poor and afflicted, though now advanced in honour. (Haydock)

Haydock: Gen 41:55 - World // There was

World. Round about Egypt; such as Chanaan, Syria, &c. (Menochius) ---

There was. The Syriac and some Latin copies, read not, &c.: there was a famine. We must adhere to the Vulgate and Hebrew.

Haydock: Gen 41:57 - All provinces

All provinces in the neighbourhood: for the stores laid up would not have supplied all mankind even for a few months. (Calmet)

Gill: Gen 41:51 - And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh // for God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh,.... Which signifies forgetfulness, as the reason of it shows:

for God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house; all his toil and labour in Potiphar's house, and especially in the prison; and all the injuries his brethren had done him; all this he was made to forget by the grandeur and honour, wealth and riches, power and authority he was possessed of; and indeed he had so much business upon his hands, that he had scarce time to think of his father, and his family.

Gill: Gen 41:52 - And the name of the second called he Ephraim // for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction

And the name of the second called he Ephraim,.... Which signifies fruits or fruitfulness; and being of the dual number, may intend both his spiritual and temporal fruitfulness God had blessed him with:

for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction; in the land of Egypt, where he had been long afflicted, even for the space of thirteen years, more or less, in his master's house, and in the prison; but God had made him fruitful in grace and good works, in holiness, humility, &c. and oftentimes afflictive seasons are the most fruitful ones in this sense. God also bestowed great gifts upon him, as skill in the interpretation of dreams, wisdom in political affairs, a large abundance of wealth, and riches, honour and glory; to which may be added, the fruit of his body, his two children.

Gill: Gen 41:53 - And the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt were ended.

And the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt were ended. Perhaps quickly after the birth of Ephraim, Joseph's second son; since the account follows upon that, and it is certain that he was born before the years of famine began, Gen 41:50; some connect the words, "moreover when" the seven years of plenty were ended, then began, as follows, seven years of famine; these events were fulfilled just as Joseph had predicted.

Gill: Gen 41:54 - And the seven years of dearth began to come, as Joseph had said // and the dearth was in all lands // but in all the land of Egypt there was bread

And the seven years of dearth began to come, as Joseph had said,.... In the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams; as soon as the seven years of plenty were over, there were quickly some appearances of the famine coming on; as particularly the river Nile not flowing to its usual height at the season of it; hence there was a drought, the earth was parched, and everything began to wither and decay, and the seed that was sown sprung not up:

and the dearth was in all lands; adjoining to Egypt, as Syria, Arabia, Palestine, Canaan, &c.

but in all the land of Egypt there was bread; which was in the hands of everyone, and remained of their old stores in the years of plenty not yet exhausted, and which continued for some time after the dearth began. It is very probable that to this seven years' drought in Egypt Ovid ^t refers, which he makes to be nine; as does also Apollodorus ^u.

Gill: Gen 41:55 - And when all the land of Egypt was famished // the people cried to Pharaoh for bread // and Pharaoh said to the Egyptians, go unto Joseph // what he saith to you, do

And when all the land of Egypt was famished,.... Their old stock and store eaten up, and the inhabitants ready to starve with hunger:

the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; as their common father, and knowing that he had stores of provision laid up in all cities against this time:

and Pharaoh said to the Egyptians, go unto Joseph; whom he had appointed over this business of providing and laying up corn against this time, and of distributing it:

what he saith to you, do; give the price for the corn he fixes or requires; for this was the principal thing they had to do with him, to get corn for their money.

Gill: Gen 41:56 - And the famine was over all the face of the earth // and Joseph opened all the storehouses // and sold unto the Egyptians // and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt

And the famine was over all the face of the earth,.... Not over the whole world, but the land of Egypt; all the inhabitants of it were pinched with it, rich and poor; it reached all parts and all sorts of men:

and Joseph opened all the storehouses; in the several cities throughout the land where he had laid up corn:

and sold unto the Egyptians; for, as he had bought it with Pharaoh's money, it was no injustice to sell it; and as it could be sold at a moderate price, and yet Pharaoh get enough by it, being bought cheap in a time of plenty, no doubt but Joseph, who was a kind and benevolent man, sold it at such a price:

and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt; there being no overflow of the Nile year after year, and nothing left of the old stock but what was in the storehouses.

Gill: Gen 41:57 - And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn // because that the famine was so sore in all lands

And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn,.... All the neighbouring nations (Syria, Arabia, Palestine, Canaan, &c.), when they heard there was corn there for money, came from all parts for it, and were glad to get it at such expense and trouble:

because that the famine was so sore in all lands; that there was no bread to be got for money elsewhere. It is thought by many, that for this care of Joseph in laying up provision against this time of need, and which was the preservation of the Egyptians, he was worshipped by them under various names; as the Apis, which was an ox, a sign of fruitfulness; and Serapis, sometimes figured as a young man carrying a basket of bread on his head; and Osiris, who is sometimes represented with a bushel on his head. However, this is certain, that he was an eminent type of Christ in all this, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation: as Joseph was wrongly charged by his mistress, so was Christ falsely accused by the Jews; as he was cast into prison and bound there, so Christ was taken and bound as a prisoner; as Joseph was raised to great honour and glory in Pharaoh's court, so Christ was exalted by his Father, and crowned with glory and honour; and if the new name given him, "Zaphnathpaaneah", signifies the Saviour of the world, as some interpret it, it agrees well with Christ, who was sent into the world for that purpose; and indeed, if it means a revealer of secrets, it suits with him, who hath declared his Father's mind and will, and revealed the mysteries of his grace to the sons of men: and as Joseph had all the stores of corn under his care, and the needy were bid to go to him for it, so Christ has all the treasures of grace in his hand, and all that are sensible of their need of it are directed to go to him for it; and it is from him that men of all nations and countries receive grace for grace, and have all their supplies, and spiritual sustenance and nourishment.