“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.”
Hebrew, at the end of two years of days . This dream was not so much for Pharaoh, as to be a means to deliver Joseph, and to provide for God’s Church.
“And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed ; and they fed in a meadow.”
Or, fair to behold. Or, staggie place.
“And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. rank: Heb. fat”
All these means God used to deliver his servant, and to bring him into favor and authority.
“And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.”
This fear was enough to teach him that this vision was sent of God. The wise of the world understand not God’s secrets, but to his servants his will is revealed.
“Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:”
He confesseth his fault against the king before he speak of Joseph.
“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. brought: Heb. made him run”
Cross references: : Ps. 105:20 The wicked seek to the Prophets of God in their necessity, whom in their prosperity they abhor.
“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Hebrew, answer peace . As though he would say, if I interpret thy dream it cometh of God, and not of me.
“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. eaten: Heb. come to the inward parts of them”
Hebrew, were gone into their inward parts .
“And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.”
Both his dreams tend to one end.
“And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following ; for it shall be very grievous. grievous: Heb. heavy”
Or, they shall remember no more the plenty.
“Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.”
The office of a true Prophet is not only to show the evils to come, but also the remedies for the same.
“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”
None should be preferred to honor that have not gifts of God meet for the same.
“Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. be ruled: Heb. be armed, or, kiss”
Hebrew, mouth . Ps. 105:21 ; Acts 7:10 Some read, the people shall kiss thy mouth, that is shall obey thee in all things.
“And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. Bow: or, Tender father: Heb. Abrech”
Hebrew, second chariot . In sign of honor: which word some expound, tender father, or father of the king, or kneel down.
“And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Zaphnathpaaneah: which in the Coptic signifies, A revealer of secrets, or, The man to whom secrets are revealed priest: or, prince”
Or, priest. Or, the expounder of secrets.
“And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.”
His age is mentioned both to show that his authority came of God, and also that he suffered imprisonment and exile twelve years and more.
“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. Manasseh: that is, Forgetting”
Notwithstanding that his father’s house was the true Church of God: yet the company of the wicked and prosperity caused him to forget it.