CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 41:1. The river.] So the Nile is called, by way of emphasis in the Old Testament when the scene is laid in Egypt. GENESIS 41:6. BLASTED WITH THE EAST WIND.] “The east wind here is the _Chamsia_ from the south-east or desert of Arabia. It withers every green thing if it con... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 41:14. He shaved himself and changed his raiment.] “The fact of Joseph having shaved himself is in striking accord with the Egyptian custom, which was to let the beard and hair grow in mourning only—otherwise most scrupulously shaving; whereas the Hebrews cultivated the hair... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 41:32. The dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice.] This denotes the certainty and nearness of the event. (1 Kings 11:9; Job 33:14; Psalms 62:11.)— _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 41:17_ JOSEPH AS A PROPHET In interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph shows himself... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 41:34. Take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt.] Lay on a tax of a fifth of the produce. “The exaction of a fifth or two tithes, during the period of plenty, may have been an extraordinary measure, which the absolute power of the monarch enabled him to enforce for the p... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 41:40. According unto thy word shall all my people be ruled.] “Some of the Hebraists (_e.g.,_ Gesenius, Knobel) render it _‘on thy mouth shall my people kiss,’_ and interpret it of the kiss of homage. But most of the others believe the meaning to be as in the text, objectin... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 41:47. By handfuls.] “Not in single stalks or grains, but in handfuls compared with the former yield.”—(_Murphy_) GENESIS 41:51. MANASSEH.] That is, _causing to forget._ GENESIS 41:52. EPHRAIM.] That is, _fruitful._— _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 41:46_ JO... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 41:53_ THE SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE I. Joseph’s administration. 1. _It showed great prudence and skill._ During the years of plenty he laid up for the years of famine. He was the prudent man that forseeth the evil. The time of plenty was the time of politi... [ Continue Reading ]