CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 41:17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/41-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_41_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 41:17 - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/41-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/41-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/41.htm">Chapter 41</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/41-16.htm" title="Genesis 41:16">◄</a> Genesis 41:17 <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm" title="Genesis 41:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/41.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, &#8220In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/41.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Pharaoh told Joseph his dream. “In my dream,” he said, “I was standing on the bank of the Nile River,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/41.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream, there I was, standing on the bank of the Nile;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, &#8220In my dream, behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Pharaoh said to Joseph: &#8220In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the brink of the river:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king told Joseph: I dreamed I was standing on the bank of the Nile River. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the brink of the river:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The king said, "I dreamed that I was standing on the bank of the Nile, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Pharaoh told Joseph, "In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile River, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: ?In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing by the edge of the Nile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream, look, I stood on the edge of the Nile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Pharaoh said to Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Pharaoh speaks to Joseph: “In my dream, behold, I am standing by the edge of the River,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Pharaoh speaketh unto Joseph: 'In my dream, lo, I am standing by the edge of the River,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Pharaoh will say to Joseph, In my dream I stood by the lip of the river.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So Pharao told what he had dreamed: Methought I stood upon the bank of the river, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, Pharaoh explained what he had seen: “I thought myself to be standing on the bank of a river,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, In my dream I was standing on the bank of the river;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Pharaoh said to Yoseph, “In my dream, behold, I am standing on the edge of the river:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Pharaoh spoke unto Joseph: 'In my dream, behold, I stood upon the brink of the river.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Pharao spoke to Joseph, saying, In my dream methought I stood by the bank of the river;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/41-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=10415" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm">Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>“I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.” <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: par·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">Then Pharaoh</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Joseph:</a> <a href="/hebrew/2472.htm" title="2472: ba·ḥă·lō·mî (Prep-b, Art:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A dream. Or chalom; from chalam; a dream.">“In my dream</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hin·nî (Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ‘ō·mêḏ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">I was standing</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄aṯ (N-fsc) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">the bank</a> <a href="/hebrew/2975.htm" title="2975: hay·’ōr (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Stream (of the Nile), stream, canal. ">of the Nile,</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>when seven cows, well-fed and sleek, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-10</a></span><br />Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-1.htm">Daniel 2:1-3</a></span><br />In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him. / So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, / he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-5.htm">Daniel 4:5-9</a></span><br />I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me. / So I issued a decree that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. / When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-10</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-19.htm">Psalm 105:19-22</a></span><br />until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. / The king sent and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free. / He made him master of his household, ruler over all his substance, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a></span><br />One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-14.htm">Job 33:14-16</a></span><br />For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices. / In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12-13</a></span><br />And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. / When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Acts 2:17</a></span><br />‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Daniel 2:27-28</a></span><br />Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/5-12.htm">Daniel 5:12</a></span><br />did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">1 Corinthians 12:10</a></span><br />to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6</a></span><br />He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a></span><br />But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Pharaoh said to Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood on the bank of the river:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Bank</a> <a href="/daniel/8-16.htm">Banks</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Brink</a> <a href="/genesis/41-15.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/genesis/41-16.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Nile</a> <a href="/genesis/41-16.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">River</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Side</a> <a href="/genesis/41-9.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Stood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/2-3.htm">Bank</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-37.htm">Banks</a> <a href="/exodus/2-3.htm">Brink</a> <a href="/genesis/41-22.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/49-13.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Nile</a> <a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">River</a> <a href="/genesis/48-13.htm">Side</a> <a href="/genesis/42-7.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">Stood</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 41</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Pharaoh has two dreams.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-9.htm">Joseph interprets them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-33.htm">He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">The seven years of plenty.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-50.htm">He begets children.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">53. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-53.htm">The famine begins.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/41.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/41.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Pharaoh said to Joseph:</b><br>Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is a central figure in this narrative. His interaction with Joseph marks a pivotal moment in Joseph's life and the history of Israel. Pharaoh's willingness to seek Joseph's interpretation of his dream highlights the desperation and urgency of the situation, as well as the limitations of his own magicians and wise men. This moment foreshadows Joseph's rise to power and the fulfillment of God's plan for him. It also reflects the cultural practice of consulting wise men or interpreters for dreams, which were considered significant in ancient Egypt.<p><b>In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile:</b><br>The Nile River was the lifeblood of Egypt, crucial for agriculture, transportation, and sustenance. Its annual flooding provided fertile soil, making Egypt a prosperous nation. Pharaoh's dream taking place by the Nile underscores the importance of the river to Egyptian life and foreshadows the coming famine that will affect the entire region. The imagery of standing on the bank suggests a position of observation and anticipation, setting the stage for the revelation of the dream's meaning. This scene connects to the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nature and nations, as seen in other scriptures where God uses natural elements to fulfill His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt, considered a god by his people, who had a troubling dream that needed interpretation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>A Hebrew man, sold into slavery by his brothers, who rose to prominence in Egypt due to his God-given ability to interpret dreams.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nile.htm">The Nile</a></b><br>The great river of Egypt, a source of life and sustenance for the nation, often associated with fertility and prosperity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh's_dream.htm">Pharaoh's Dream</a></b><br>A divine message conveyed through a dream, which was beyond the understanding of Pharaoh and his magicians, requiring Joseph's interpretation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The setting of this account, a powerful and influential kingdom in the ancient world.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_dreams.htm">God's Sovereignty in Dreams</a></b><br>God uses dreams to communicate His plans and purposes, demonstrating His control over nations and leaders.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Joseph's life exemplifies steadfast faith and integrity, even in difficult circumstances, leading to God's favor and blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_timing_and_preparation.htm">Divine Timing and Preparation</a></b><br>Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership illustrates God's perfect timing and preparation for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_humility_and_service.htm">The Role of Humility and Service</a></b><br>Joseph's willingness to serve and interpret Pharaoh's dream highlights the importance of humility and using one's gifts for God's glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Despite human plans and intentions, God's purposes prevail, encouraging believers to trust in His overarching plan for their lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_41.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 41</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_served_as_priests_in_on.htm">Who served as priests in On?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/forgive_debtors.htm">Does Genesis depict Joseph's actions as socialist?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_egypt's_governor_handle_food_sales.htm">Why would the governor of Egypt personally handle these seemingly minor food transactions without delegation (Genesis 42:6)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_joseph_rise_quickly_in_egypt.htm">How do we reconcile Joseph's rapid political ascent with known Egyptian social and dynastic structures (Genesis 45)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/41.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 17-21.</span> - Pharaoh then relates his dreams in substantially the same terms as those in which they have already been recited, only adding concerning the lean kine that they were (ver. 19) <span class="cmt_word">such as I never saw</span> (literally, <span class="accented">I never saw such as these</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>in all the land of Egypt for badness: and that</span> (ver. 21) <span class="cmt_word">when they had eaten them</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> the good kine) <span class="cmt_word">up, it could not be known they had eaten them</span>; - literally, <span class="accented">and they</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> the <span class="accented">good kine</span>) <span class="accented">went into the interior parts, i.e.</span> the stomach (of the bad kine), <span class="accented">and it was not known that they had gone into the interior parts</span> - <span class="cmt_word">but they</span> (the bad kine) <span class="cmt_word">were still ill-favored, as at the beginning</span> - literally, <span class="accented">and their appearance was bad as in the beginning, i.e.</span> previously; and concerning the thin and blasted ears, that they were also (ver. 23) <span class="cmt_word">withered</span> - <span class="hebrew">צְנֻמות</span>, from <span class="hebrew">צָנַם</span>, to be hard, meaning either barren (Gesenius), dry (Furst), or sapless (Kalisch) - a word which the LXX. and the Vulgate both omit. Onkelos explains by XXX, flowering, but not fruiting; and Dathius renders by <span class="accented">jejunae</span>. After which he (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> Pharaoh) informs Joseph that the professional interpreters attached to the Court (the <span class="accented">chartummim</span>, or masters of the occult sciences) could give him no idea of its meaning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/41-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Pharaoh</span><br /><span class="heb">פַּרְעֹ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(par·‘ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joseph:</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֑ף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“In my dream</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֲלֹמִ֕י</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥă·lō·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2472.htm">Strong's 2472: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dream</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I was standing</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹמֵ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·mêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stand, in various relations</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the bank</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Nile,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיְאֹֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(hay·’ōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2975.htm">Strong's 2975: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nile -- a channel, a fosse, canal, shaft, the Nile, the Tigris</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/41-17.htm">OT Law: Genesis 41:17 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph In my dream (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/41-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 41:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/41-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 41:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>