Genesis 41 Paraphrase

Paraphrase and Summary of Genesis 41

When the two full years had passed, pharaoh the King of Egypt had a dream. He was himself standing by the Nile River. When out of the river, there came up seven cows, sleek and fat. Seven ugly and gaunt bulls ate up the fat and smoothie ones. Pharaoh woke up. He slept and had a second dream. He saw seven ears of healthy and good wheat grown up on a single stalk. Seven ears of corn scorched by the East wind. The thin barley swallows up the healthy ears. Then, the King woke up from the vision. “(Gen 41:1-8)”

In the morning, he was confused. He requested for all the wise men in Egypt. Pharaoh told his vision to the all the magicians. But no one could interpret the meaning. Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer reminded him of a situation when Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put the servant and the chief baker in custody. The chief cupbearer and the chief baker dreamed the same night and each dream had its own interpretation. The chief cupbearer told Pharaoh that they were in custody with a Hebrew who interpreted their dreams correctly. The chief cupbearer retained his job, and the
chief baker was hanged just as the Hebrew had interpreted “(Gen. 41:9-14)”

Pharaoh sent for Joseph to be brought to him. The king told Joseph that he had a dream but no one could interpret it to him. Joseph answered Pharaoh by telling him that, God will give him a pleasing answer. Pharaoh told Joseph that in his dream, he was standing on the banks of the Nile River when he saw seven fat cows feeding on the oboe grass. He also saw seven thin cows he had

never seen in all land of Egypt. The thin, ugly cows ate up the fat cows. Pharaoh also told Joseph that he also saw seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. He also saw seven thin ears sprouting. The thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears “(Gen 41:15-24)”

Joseph guaranteed Pharaoh that his dreams were one, and God has revealed to the king his immediate plan. Joseph told Pharaoh that seven good cows and seven good ears were seven good years. The seven thin cows and the seven vacant ears were seven years of famine. Joseph told Pharaoh that seven years of plenty were coming to Egypt, but they will be followed by seven years of great famine. Pharaoh was instructed to select a wise man that will be in-charge of Egypt in collecting the produce during the years of abundant harvest. “(Gen 41:25-35)”

Pharaoh was pleased with the proposal, and he asked his servants, if they find anyone wise like Joseph whom the spirit of God was upon” (Gen 41:38)”

Summary

Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of the land of Egypt.
The King clothed Joseph in a robe of linen, and placed a gold chain around Joseph’s neck. He gave Joseph chariot as his second in command. Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphnath-Paneh. Joseph married Asenath the daughter of Potiphera. Joseph travelled throughout the land of Egypt. He stored up huge quantities of grains during the years of abundance. Before the famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath. He named his firstborn Manasseh and the second he named Ephraim. The seven years of plenty came to an end, and the years of famine began, as Joseph said. There was famine in all the other lands, but there was food in Egypt. When Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried for food. When the people told Pharaoh, he referred them to Joseph. Joseph opened the storehouse and sold grains to
the

Egyptians, because the famine was severe throughout Egypt. All other countries came to buy grains from Joseph, because the famine was serious in all the world. “(Gen. 41:38-57)”