Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Synopsis: Two things Providence is here bringing about:-- I. The

advancement of Joseph. II. The maintenance of Jacob and his family

in a time of famine; for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the

earth, and direct the affairs of the children of men for the benefit of

those few whose hearts are upright with him. In order to these, we

have here, 1. Pharaoh's dreams, Ge 41:1-8. 2. The recommendation

of Joseph to him for an interpreter, Ge 41:9-13. 3. The interpretation

of the dreams, and the prediction of seven years of plenty and seven

years of famine in Egypt, with the prudent advice given to Pharaoh

thereupon, Ge 41:14-36. 4. The preferment of Joseph to a place of

the highest power and trust in Egypt, Ge 41:37-45. 5. The

accomplishment of Joseph's prediction, and his fidelity to his trust, Ge

41:46-57, &c. Mathew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

Genesis 41:1-8 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that

Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold,

there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and

fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine

came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and

stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill

favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and

fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second

time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank

and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east

wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the

seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a

dream. 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.

As was mentioned in our last study, it is not clear if these two full

years are years that Joseph spent in prison since the release of

Pharaoh’s butler and the execution of his baker, or if they are the total

years he spent there. If it was the total time, that would mean that

Joseph spent about ten years in the service of Potiphar. I think this

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

means it had been two years since the release of the butler, and he

had simply forgotten Joseph.

Now Pharaoh has dreamed two dreams. I believe he dreamed the

first one, then woke up, then went back to sleep, and dreamed the

second—all in one night. When he awoke from the dreams, naturally,

he was trouble because God made him to feel the weight and

significance of the dream, but He did not give him the meaning.

God’s plan was to have Joseph reveal the meaning to Pharaoh.

at the end of two full years--It is not certain whether these years are

reckoned from the beginning of Joseph's imprisonment, or from the

events described in the preceding chapter--most likely the latter.

What a long time for Joseph to experience the sickness of hope

deferred! But the time of his enlargement came when he had

sufficiently learned the lessons of God designed for him; and the

plans of Providence were matured.

Pharaoh dreamed--"Pharaoh," from an Egyptian word Phre,

signifying the "sun," was the official title of the kings of that country.

The prince, who occupied the throne of Egypt, was Aphophis, one of

the Memphite kings, whose capital was On or Heliopolis, and who is

universally acknowledged to have been a patriot king. Between the

arrival of Abraham and the appearance of Joseph in that country,

somewhat more than two centuries had elapsed. Kings sleep and

dream, as well as their subjects. And this Pharaoh had two dreams in

one night so singular and so similar, so distinct and so apparently

significant, so coherent and vividly impressed on his memory, that his

spirit was troubled. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

The time Joseph had spent in captivity—both in the house of Potiphar

and in the service of the Captain of the Guard of the King’s prison,

has taught him an invaluable lesson. Joseph will soon recognize that

all these things are of God, and are working toward his favor. The

hand of God has been manipulating the events of his life all along the

way—through the bad and good times—to develop in Joseph,

patience, and perseverance, and sustaining faith. He remembers

Joseph, and will deliver him, and the gifts and calling of God will be

brought to fruition though the wait for that fruit has been long and

arduous.

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of

faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope ………….

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Joseph has learned to turn lemons into lemonade—a lesson we all

would do well to learn.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without

repentance.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime

were written for our learning, that we through patience and

comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

None of the king’s magicians could interpret the dreams, because, as

Joseph told the butler and baker, Genesis 40:8 …….. Do not

interpretations belong to God?

Genesis 41:9-14 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying,

I do remember my faults this day: Pharaoh was wroth with his

servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both

me and the chief baker: And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and

he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his

dream. And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant

to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us

our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. And

it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored

unto mine office, and him he hanged. 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.

Finally, God calls the king’s butler to remembrance of Joseph. He

tells Pharaoh of the dreams that he and the chief cook had had, and

how Joseph had interpreted the dreams, and the interpretation had

come true just as Joseph had told them.

Here is the recommending of Joseph to Pharaoh for an interpreter.

The chief butler did it more in compliment to Pharaoh, to oblige him,

than in gratitude to Joseph, or in compassion for his case. He makes

a fair confession (Ge 41:9): "I remember my faults this day, in

forgetting Joseph." Note, It is best to remember our duty, and to do it

in its time; but, if we have neglected that, it is next best to remember

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

our faults, and repent of them, and do our duty at last; better late than

never. Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

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.

It is interesting that the scripture says, Joseph shaved himself. The

Hebrews did not shave their beards, but the Egyptians did. If Joseph

was going to appear before the king, he had wisdom enough to know

he had to look presentable to him. He borrowed some clothes and

shaved off his beard. Though he might have been required to shave

off his beard when he was first brought into the country, I think,

because of the mention of it here, he probably had not. This could

have been the first time he had shaved in his life. Shaving of the

head and beard was customary with the Egyptian, but not

unprecedented among the Hebrews, even at this time. In grief or in a

vow, men would sometimes shave their heads including their beards

in order to set themselves apart in self-abasing humiliation in

preparation to perform their promise to God (Acts 18:18), or to show

distress over affliction or loss (Job 1:20; Jeremiah 41:5). In this

case, Joseph knows he is going before the ruler and judge of the

land, and he must conform to the customs of Egypt to curry favor with

him. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, or should we say, when

in Egypt, do as the Egyptians do, meaning, it is wise, and polite, and

possibly also advantageous, to abide by the customs of a society

when one is a visitor to court, especially if one is an inmate or servant

in the king’s prison.

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph--Now that God's set time

had come (Ps 105:19), no human power nor policy could detain

Joseph in prison. During his protracted confinement, he might have

often been distressed with perplexing doubts; but the mystery of

Providence was about to be cleared up, and all his sorrows forgotten

in the course of honor and public usefulness in which his services

were to be employed.

shaved himself--The Egyptians were the only Oriental nation that

liked a smooth chin. All slaves and foreigners who were reduced to

that condition, were obliged, on their arrival in that country, to

conform to the cleanly habits of the natives, by shaving their beards

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

and heads, the latter of which were covered with a close cap. Thus

prepared, Joseph was conducted to the palace, where the king

seemed to have been anxiously waiting his arrival. Jamieson-Fausset-

Brown Commentary

This song by Isaac Watts must surely describe the exaltation of

Joseph when he was brought up out of the dungeon.

Blest are the Souls that Hear and Know Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Blest are the souls that hear and know The gospel's joyful sound; Peace shall attend the path they go, And light their steps surround.

2. Their joy shall bear their spirits up Through their Redeemer's name; His righteousness exalts their hope, Nor Satan dares condemn.

3. The Lord, our glory and defence, Strength and salvation gives; Isr'el, thy King for ever reigns, Thy God for ever lives.

Genesis 41:15-16 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a

dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of

thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph

answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an

answer of peace.

Joseph again humbles himself before the Lord, and gives God the

praise and glory for the interpretation of dreams.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he

shall lift you up.

Pharaoh immediately, without enquiring who or whence he was, tells

him his business, that he expected he should interpret his dream, Ge

41:15. To which, Joseph makes him a very modest decent reply, (Ge

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

41:16), in which, (1.) He gives honour to God. "It is not in me, God

must give it." Note, Great gifts appear most graceful and illustrious

when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise

of them to themselves, but give it to God. To such God gives more

grace. (2.) He shows respect to Pharaoh, and hearty good-will to him

and his government, in supposing that the interpretation would be an

answer of peace. Note, Those that consult God's oracles may expect

an answer of peace. If Joseph be made the interpreter, hope the

best. Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

In all his trials, Joseph had remained true to his God, and now God

has, not only lifted him up to stand before the throne of Pharaoh, but

made him to stand in the light of God’s glory, and to know that his

salvation is totally dependent on the Lord. And Joseph answered

Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an

answer of peace.

Even this rich and powerful King of Egypt, who, himself is thought to

be a god, even he is controlled and directed by the almighty hand of

Elohim (Elohim is the Hebrew name for God used in this text).

“The word Elohim is the plural of El (or possibly Eloah) and is the first name of God given in the Old Testament: “In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth, (Gen. 1:1). “The name Elohim is unique to Hebraic thinking – it occurs only in Hebrew and in no other ancient Semitic language. The masculine plural ending does not mean “gods” when referring to the true God of Israel, since the name is mainly used with singular verb forms and with adjectives and pronouns in the singular. Theopedia

Psalms 95:3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King

above all gods.

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as

the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Genesis 41:17-24 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream,

behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: And, behold, there came up

out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed

in a meadow: And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor

and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the

land of Egypt for badness: And the lean and the ill favoured kine did

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

eat up the first seven fat kine: 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. And I saw in my dream,

and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: And,

behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind,

sprung up after them: And the thin ears devoured the seven good

ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could

declare it to me.

Pharaoh now begins to relate the dreams to Joseph, being convince

by the witness of the butler, and, I think by the appearance of Joseph

himself. Outward beauty notwithstanding—Joseph was a handsome

young man—the children of God have a light shining about them that

reflects the Shekinah—the glory of God.

Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on

him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Acts 7:9-10 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph

into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all

his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of

Pharaoh king of Egypt; ………

Genesis 41:25-32 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of

Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are

seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured

kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty

ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is

the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do

he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great

plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after

them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in

the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the

plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine

following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was

doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by

God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Now, by the grace of God, Joseph is given the interpretation, which

he then delivers to Pharaoh. The dream(s) are not two separate

dreams, but two parts of one dream--the dream of Pharaoh is one.

God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. There come

seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And

there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the

plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine

shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the

land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very

grievous.

The dream was given to Pharaoh twice because the thing is

established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

See the goodness of God, in sending the seven years of plenty

before those of famine, that provision might be made accordingly.

How wonderful wisely has Providence, that great house-keeper,

ordered the affairs of this numerous family from the beginning! Great

variety of seasons there have been and the produce of the earth

sometimes more, and sometimes less; yet take one time with

another, what was miraculous concerning the manna, is ordinarily

verified in the common course of Providence; He that gathers much

has nothing over, and he that gathers little has no lack, Ex 16:18. John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible

Genesis 41:33-37 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man

discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do

this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth

part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them

gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn

under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And

that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of

famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not

through the famine. And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh,

and in the eyes of all his servants.

First Joseph relates the issues of the fulfilment of the dream, then he

gives him the solution to those issues. Pharaoh needs an overseer to

gather in the supplies in the prosperous years against the famine that

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

is to come. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over

the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the

seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those

good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of

Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall

be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which

shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the

famine.

He tells Pharaoh to have his overseer and other officers take a fifth of

all the grain and all the cattle that are produced in the seven good

years and store them in the cities in preparation for the seven years

of famine that is to come. And Pharaoh agrees with the plan as do all

his servants and ministers at court.

Genesis 41:38-43 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find

such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And

Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all

this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 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. And Pharaoh said

unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And

Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's

hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain

about his neck; 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.

Pharaoh immediately states his choice of the man to oversee his

nation through this trial that is to come. He wants Joseph because he

believed the interpretation of his dream, and he knew that God only

could have given it to Joseph. He makes Joseph second only to

himself, and gives him free rein to rule his nation in all its enterprise.

Joseph had been in the prison, and now he is made high Chancellor

of Egypt, the greatest, most powerful, nation on the earth at this time.

A new life is before him—a resurrection, if you will. After being so low

and forgotten, he is now highly exalted, and his dreams that he

dreamed in the land of Canaan (Genesis 37:5-10) will shortly have

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

their interpretation made manifest. Two dreams that are really one

dream—that his entire family will come and bow down at his feet, as

the people of Egypt are instructed to do here.

Genesis 41:44-45 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh,

and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of

Egypt. 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.

Pharaoh now gives Joseph his charge and a new name. He also

gives him a wife from a prestigious family. What a change has come

to him. He was, just a while ago, in the king’s prison. Now, he is in

the king’s service as his High Chancellor. In the prison, he was a

man that seemed destined to celibacy. But now he is suddenly

married with all the prospects that come with that relationship.

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: one who discovers hidden things. Hitchcock’s Bible

Names Dictionary

Asenath: peril; misfortune; worshipper of Neith.

Joseph and Aseneth or Asenath is an ancient apocryphal expansion of the Book of Genesis's account of the patriarch Joseph's marriage to Aseneth. According to Genesis 41:45, Pharaoh gives Aseneth, the daughter of Potipherah (Pentephres in the Septuagint) priest of On to Joseph as a wife. Genesis 41:50-52 narrates that Aseneth bore Joseph two sons Manasseh and Ephraim. No more is said of her. wikipedia On: light; the sun, (Ge 41:45,50), the great seat of sun-worship,

called also Bethshemesh (Jer 43:13) and Aven (Eze 30:17), stood on

the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near

Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have

"Heliopolis" ("city of the sun") instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in

Ezekiel. The "city of destruction" Isaiah speaks of (Isa 19:18, marg.

"of Heres;" Heb 'Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e.,

"city of the sun") may be the name given to On, the prophecy being

that the time will come when that city which was known as the "city of

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

the sun-god" shall become the "city of destruction" of the sun-god,

i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship of the true God be

established. Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Here we have another occurrence of a called and chosen man of

God, a Hebrew, marrying a Gentile, but even in this, Joseph is a

picture of the Lord Jesus Christ who left His place in Heaven and

came down to this low ground of sin and sorrow to claim for himself a

Gentile bride called the Church. Joseph’s descendants may be

tempted to idolatry, but it will not be so with Joseph. He will maintain

his integrity and faith, even in the presence of all these worshipers of

false gods and goddesses. Not much is written about Joseph’s wife,

Asenath in the canon of scripture. She is written about in an

apocryphal book called Joseph and Aseneth, as mentioned above,

but it is not considered to have much basis in fact by Biblical

scholars. Just as Pharaoh acknowledged Joseph’s God after Joseph

had interpreted his dream, I believe Joseph’s wife understood that he

was favored by his God, and she, at least, respected him for it.

Whether she was a convert and believer is, and shall remain,

uncertain.

Asenath, the Gentile bride espoused by Joseph the rejected one Joh

19:15 type of the Church, called out from the Gentiles to be the bride

of Christ during the time of His rejection by His brethren, Israel. Ac

15:14; Eph 5:31-32. 1917 Scolfield Reference Bible Notes

Not too many of the Egyptians seem to be converts to the Hebrew

God. Some may have added him to the litany of gods they

worshipped, but there is no scriptural evidence that many became

worshipers of Elohim to the exclusion of all others. As we shall see,

Joseph’s children will be worshippers of the one true God, indicating

he was a good and faithful teacher, bringing up his children in the

nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to

wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the

Lord.

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Ra / Re

God of the Sun

In one of his many forms, Ra, god of the sun, has the head of a falcon and the sun-

disk resting on his head.

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Neith

Goddess of war, hunting, weaving and wisdom

The Egyptian goddess Neith bearing her war goddess symbols, the crossed

arrows and shield on her head, the ankh and the was staff. She sometimes wears

the Red Crown of Lower Egypt.

Name in hieroglyphs

Major cult center Sais

Symbol the bow, the shield, the crossed arrows

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Genesis 41:46-57 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. And

in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And

he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land

of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which

was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph

gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left

numbering; for it was without number. And unto Joseph were born

two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the

daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 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 the name

of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be

fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of

plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the

seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said:

and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was

bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried

to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go

unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. 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 all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn;

because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

During the seven years of plenty, Joseph’s two sons were born.

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 the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God

hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Manasseh: forgetting. Smith’s Bible Dictionary

Ephraim: double fruitfulness. Smith’s Bible Dictionary

In the names of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph owned

the Divine providence. 1. He was made to forget his misery. 2. He

was made fruitful in the land of his affliction. The seven plenteous

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

years came, and were ended. We ought to look forward to the end of

the days, both of our prosperity and of our opportunity. We must not

be secure in prosperity, nor slothful in making good use of

opportunity. Years of plenty will end; what thy hand finds to do, do it;

and gather in gathering time. The dearth came, and the famine was

not only in Egypt, but in other lands. Joseph was diligent in laying up,

while the plenty lasted. He was prudent and careful in giving out,

when the famine came. Joseph was engaged in useful and important

labours. Yet it was in the midst of this his activity that his father Jacob

said, Joseph is not! What a large portion of our troubles would be

done away if we knew the whole truth! Let these events lead us to

Jesus. There is a famine of the bread of life throughout the whole

earth. Go to Jesus, and what he bids you, do. Attend to His voice,

apply to him; he will open his treasures, and satisfy with goodness

the hungry soul of every age and nation, without money and without

price. But those who slight this provision must starve, and his

enemies will be destroyed. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Just as the dream had been related to Pharaoh, the seven years of

plenty passed and the lean years began to come. And Joseph

opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and

the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries

came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the

famine was so sore in all lands.

Not only was there famine in the land of Egypt, but the famine was

world-wide and escalating, and, from everywhere, the people came to

Joseph to buy corn in Egypt.

Note: There are extensive writing dating back to ancient Egypt that

speak of a man named Imhotep who was very wise in building and

architecture, and a very skilled artificer. Imhotep is the earliest

physician whose historical records survive, and although Joseph isn't

mentioned as being a physician, the Bible gives one very important

clue to this: Genesis 50:2 And Joseph commanded his servants the

physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.

Here, the physicians are specifically stated to be under Joseph. But

later, when Imhotep became established as the "god of healing," it is

the manner in which he healed that ties him directly to Joseph.

Ancient Greek writings mention a great sanctuary at Memphis where

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

people came from everywhere to seek cures from Imhotep. They

would pray to him, make offerings and then spend the night in this

sanctuary, which was a sort of Lourdes of ancient Egypt. While

sleeping, the god Imhotep, was said to come to people in their

dreams and cure them. He was an astute and skillful magician, as

well as a philosopher, and an imparter of wisdom and knowledge.

Psalms 105:20-22 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of

the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and

ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and

teach his senators wisdom.

He became Vizier under a Pharaoh named Djoser. The name,

Imhotep, in ancient Egyptian is translated to mean "the voice (or

mouth) of Im"; however, there is no record of a god in Egypt called

"Im". But, we all know the God, "I AM": God told Moses to tell the

pharaoh that "I AM" had sent him because "I AM" was the name by

which the Egyptians had known Joseph's God. Could "Im" have been

"I AM"? The Bible states the name that was given to Joseph by the

pharaoh, Zaphenath-paneah. It has been translated by some to

mean, "the God lives; the God speaks". Since we do not fully

understand the meaning of the Egyptian word "hotep," it is quite

possible that the translation of Imhotep ("The voice of I AM) is

identical to the Biblical name of Joseph ("the God lives; the God

speaks). It was Imhotep who is credited with having designed the

first pyramid (above) and began building with hewn stone instead of

all mud brick. If we look at ancient Egyptian history, we can see

evidence which shows that it was during the time of Djoser that Egypt

became a truly great nation -- since it had gathered the wealth of all

the surrounding nations by selling them grain during the famine. And

during the seven years of plenty, the people, under Joseph's wise

guidance, began to organize a great administrative center which

would handle the selling of the grain to all the surrounding nations. Revealing God’s Treasure, Biblical Sites Uncovered, anchorstone.com

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

A look at the remarkable parallels between Joseph and Imhotep.

Were Joseph and Imhotep of Egypt The Same Man?

Joseph Imhotep

Second in

command under

Pharoah

Second in

command under

Pharoah Djoser

Lived to be 110

years of age

Lived to be 110

years of age

Great architect

and builder

Great architect

and builder

Stored up corn

during 7 yrs of

plenty

Stored up corn

during 7 yrs of

plenty

Saw seven years of

famine - fed

people

Saw seven years

of famine - fed

people

Interpreter of

dreams

Interpreter of

dreams

Built pyramids &

palaces

Built the Step

Pyramid & palaces

Zaphnath-

paaneah- Over

physicians

Was a physician

Instituted an

income tax of one

fifth

Instituted an

income tax of one

fifth

Married into the

Priesthood of On

Married into the

Priesthood of On

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

THE GENESIS OF ISRAEL AND EGYPT

By Emmet Sweeny, 2001 (2nd ed.)

Knowledge of

astrology

Knowledge of

astrology

Coat of many

breadths/colors

(pas) =wide tunic)

--------------

Became an

educated man

A poet and

educated medical

writer

Overseer of public

works

Overseer of public

works

Legendary history Legendary history

Name means to

add, increase, to

join or gather

together

Name means the

one who comes in

peace

Was one of twelve

siblings

Was one of twelve

siblings)

Source: Betty Matteson Rhodes

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Egyptian Pharaoh Imhotep Imhotep, 2650–2600 BC, was one of the chief officials of Pharaoh Djoser, at Saqqara in Egypt

in 2630 – 2611 BC. pinterest.com

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Imhotep (Joseph), the Architect of the first Pyramid, often called the Step Pyramid,

and entire complex built for storing and dispensing/selling grain.

Revealing God’s Treasure, Biblical Sites Uncovered, anchorstone.co

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Location of Saqqara in Egypt

The complex at Saqqara Egypt was built during the reign of the pharaoh,

Djoser. Imhotep - Joseph built this complex and many others for storing

grain during the seven years of plenty.

Joseph Egypt Grain Storage ... 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. vck-web.org

Genesis Chapter Forty-one

Revealing God’s Treasure, Biblical Sites Uncovered, anchorstone.com