- Book: [[Genesis]] - Next chapter: [[Genesis 42]] > [!summary] Summary > - [[Pharaoh]] has two but none of [[Egypt]]’s sages can explain them > - The restored chief cupbearer finally remembers [[Joseph]] and his prison interpretations > - [[Joseph]], now 30, credits [[God]] and declares the dreams one message: **seven years of abundance will be followed by seven years of devastating famine** > - [[Joseph]] advises appointing a wise administrator to store grain; [[Pharaoh]] elevates him to vizier, gives him the name *Zaphenath-Paneah*, and marries him to [[Asenath]] > - [[Joseph]] stores vast reserves during the plentiful years; when famine strikes, "all the earth" comes to [[Egypt]] to buy grain from [[Joseph]], setting the stage for his brothers' arrival > [!info] Why is this here? > - Marks the point where Joseph moves from powerless prisoner to protector of nations > - Ascent out of low point of [[Joseph]]'s hero's journey > - Setup for how the rest of [[Jacob]]'s family gets prosperity # Overview ## v. 1-8 [[Pharaoh]]’s Double Dream & Magicians’ Failure - Two full years after the cupbearer’s release from [[Genesis 40]] - Dream 1: seven healthy cows from the [[Nile]] devoured by seven ugly cows - Dream 2: seven good ears swallowed by seven thin, scorched ears - [[Egypt]]’s magicians/wise men are stumped ## v. 9-13 Cupbearer Recalls [[Joseph]] - Cupbearer recounts prison events - Emphasizes [[Joseph]]’s accuracy and the divine source of interpretations ## v. 14-24 [[Joseph]] Before [[Pharaoh]] - [[Joseph]] **shaved** and changed clothes and meets [[Pharaoh]] - Declares, "It is not in me; **God** will give [[Pharaoh]] an answer of peace" - [[Pharaoh]] retells the dreams verbatim ## v. 25-32 Interpretation - Dreams > one matter: seven good = seven years plenty; seven thin = seven years famine - Famine will "consume the land," erasing memory of abundance (v. 30-31) - The repetition means the matter is **fixed by [[God]] and will happen soon** ## v. 33-36 Proposal - [[Joseph]] advices [[Pharaoh]] to seek "a discerning and wise man" to collect a fifth of the harvest during plenty - Establish granaries in every city under royal authority - Grain will be “a reserve” so Egypt will not perish in the famine ## v. 37-45 Joseph Exalted - Plan "pleased [[Pharaoh]] and all his servants" - [[Joseph]] receives: - Royal **signet ring** - Fine linen robes & gold chain - New name *Zaphenath-Paneah* ("God speaks and lives?") - Marriage to [[Asenath]], daughter of [[Potiphera]], priest of [[On]] (Heliopolis) ## v. 46-52 Years of Plenty & [[Joseph]]’s Sons - [[Joseph]], age 30, tours [[Egypt]] and "stored up grain like the sand of the sea" - Sons born **before** the famine: - **[[Manasseh]]** ("God has made me forget my trouble") - **[[Ephraim]]** ("God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction") ## v. 53-57 Famine Begins; Nations Come - Seven good years end "just as Joseph said" - Famine hits all lands; [[Egypt]] alone has bread - "All the earth came to [[Joseph]] ... because the famine was severe in all the earth" # Details - Age parallels: [[Joseph]] is 30 at elevation (verse 46); so is [[David]] at his coronation ([[2 Samuel 5]]:4) and [[Jesus]] at ministry start ([[Luke 3]]: 23) - Dream pairs echo [[Genesis 37]] ([[Joseph]]’s own dreams) - Egyptian name possibilities: “God speaks, he lives” or “Revealer of secrets” (etymology debated) - Geographic note: [[On]] is likely Heliopolis, which is a major sun-cult center. [[Joseph]]’s marriage integrates him into Egypt’s priestly elite # Questions - Why do [[Joseph]]'s children become distinct tribes of [[Israel]] but nobody else's does? - Why does [[God]] use dreams rather than direct speech this time?