Genesis 4141GenesisJosephOpen English Bible (Commonwealth)

Open English Bible (Commonwealth)Berean Standard Bible

1. The Dreams of Pharaoh

2. 1ENGOEBCWTwo years later Pharaoh had a dream: as he stood by the Nile,BSBBSB: After two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile,
3. 2ENGOEBCWhe saw coming up from the Nile seven cows, good-looking and fat, and they had been feeding in the river grass.BSBBSB: when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.
4. 3ENGOEBCWThen seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile, bad-looking and lean, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile.BSBBSB: After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank of the river.
5. 4ENGOEBCWThe bad-looking cows ate up the seven good-looking, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.BSBBSB: And the cows that were sickly and thin devoured the seven sleek, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up,
6. 5ENGOEBCWAfterward he slept and had a second dream and saw seven ears, plump and good, growing up on one stalk.BSBBSB: but he fell back asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, came up on one stalk.
7. 6ENGOEBCWAlso seven ears, thin and blasted by the east wind, sprang up after them.BSBBSB: After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted, thin and scorched by the east wind.
8. 7ENGOEBCWThe thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. Then Pharaoh woke up, and realised that it was a dream.BSBBSB: And the thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, ripe ones. Then Pharaoh awoke and realized it was a dream.
9. 8ENGOEBCWIn the morning Pharaoh’s mind was disturbed; so he sent and called all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them to him.BSBBSB: In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
10. 9ENGOEBCWThen the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, ‘I now must remind you of my offenses:BSBBSB: Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I recall my failures.
11. 10ENGOEBCWPharaoh was very angry with his servants and imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.BSBBSB: Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guard.
12. 11ENGOEBCWWe both had dreams the same night, each with a special meaning.BSBBSB: One night both the chief baker and I had dreams, and each dream had its own meaning.
13. 12ENGOEBCWThere was also with us a young Hebrew, a slave of the captain of the guard; and we told him and he interpreted our dreams to us, to each of us according to his dream.BSBBSB: Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams and he interpreted them for us individually.
14. 13ENGOEBCWOur dreams came true exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my office, but the other man was hanged.’BSBBSB: And it happened to us just as he had interpreted: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.”

15. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams

16. 14ENGOEBCWThen Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon; and he shaved his face and changed his clothes and came to Pharaoh.BSBBSB: So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of the dungeon. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he went in before Pharaoh.
17. 15ENGOEBCWPharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. Now I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’BSBBSB: Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
18. 16ENGOEBCWJoseph answered Pharaoh, ‘Not I; God only can give Pharaoh a satisfactory answer.’BSBBSB: “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.”
19. 17ENGOEBCWThen Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘In my dream as I stood on the bank of the Nile,BSBBSB: Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,
20. 18ENGOEBCWI saw seven cows, fat and good-looking, which had been feeding in the river grass.BSBBSB: when seven cows, well-fed and sleek, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.
21. 19ENGOEBCWThere came up after them seven more cows, thin, and bad-looking and lean, worse than I ever saw in all the land of Egypt;BSBBSB: After them, seven other cows—sickly, ugly, and thin—came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt!
22. 20ENGOEBCWand the lean and bad-looking cows ate up the first seven fat cows;BSBBSB: Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.
23. 21ENGOEBCWand when they had eaten them up, one could not tell that they had eaten them, for they were still as bad-looking as at the beginning. Then I woke up.BSBBSB: When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I awoke.
24. 22ENGOEBCWAgain I dreamed and saw seven ears, plump and good, grow up on one stalk;BSBBSB: In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, growing on a single stalk.
25. 23ENGOEBCWthen seven ears, withered, thin, blasted with the east wind, sprang up after them;BSBBSB: After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind.
26. 24ENGOEBCWand the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. I have told the dream to the magicians, but there is no one who can interpret it to me.’BSBBSB: And the thin heads of grain swallowed the seven plump ones. I told this dream to the magicians, but no one could explain it to me.”
27. 25ENGOEBCWThen Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘Pharaoh’s two dreams signify the same thing; God has made known to Pharaoh what he is about to do.BSBBSB: At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do.
28. 26ENGOEBCWThe seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years. It is one dream.BSBBSB: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads of grain are seven years. The dreams have the same meaning.
29. 27ENGOEBCWThe seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are also seven years, and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind represent seven years of famine.BSBBSB: Moreover, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine.
30. 28ENGOEBCWThat is why I said to Pharaoh, “God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.”BSBBSB: It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.
31. 29ENGOEBCWSeven years of great plenty throughout the land of Egypt are coming,BSBBSB: Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt,
32. 30ENGOEBCWand they will be followed by seven years of famine, so that all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume all that the land produces;BSBBSB: but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land.
33. 31ENGOEBCWand plenty will not be known in the land because of that famine which follows, for it will be very severe.BSBBSB: The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe.
34. 32ENGOEBCW‘The dream came twice to Pharaoh to indicate that its fulfilment is assured and that God will soon make it come true.BSBBSB: Moreover, because the dream was given to Pharaoh in two versions, the matter has been decreed by God, and He will carry it out shortly.
35. 33ENGOEBCWNow therefore let Pharaoh select a man who is discreet and wise and place him in control of the land of Egypt.BSBBSB: Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.
36. 34ENGOEBCWPharaoh should take action and appoint overseers over the land and collect one-fifth of all the produce of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.BSBBSB: Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
37. 35ENGOEBCWLet them gather all the food of these good years that come and store the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them hold it for food in the cities.BSBBSB: Under the authority of Pharaoh, let them collect all the excess food from these good years, that they may come and lay up the grain to be preserved as food in the cities.
38. 36ENGOEBCWThe food will furnish a supply for the land during the seven years of famine which will be in the land of Egypt, so that the people of the land will not perish because of the famine.’BSBBSB: This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land of Egypt. Then the country will not perish in the famine.”

39. Joseph Given Charge of Egypt

40. 37ENGOEBCWThe plan pleased Pharaoh and all his officials;BSBBSB: This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his officials.
41. 38ENGOEBCWand Pharaoh said to his officials, ‘Can we find one like this, a man in whom is the spirit of God?’BSBBSB: So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?”
42. 39ENGOEBCWSo Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you.BSBBSB: Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
43. 40ENGOEBCWYou will be at the head of my dominion, and all my people will be ruled as you command, only on the throne I will be superior to you.’BSBBSB: You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
44. 41ENGOEBCWSo Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have appointed you over all the land of Egypt.’BSBBSB: Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.”
45. 42ENGOEBCWPharaoh took off his signet ring from his finger and put it upon Joseph’s finger and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a golden collar about his neck.BSBBSB: Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
46. 43ENGOEBCWHe also made him ride in the second-best chariot which he had; and they cried before him, ‘Attention!’ So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.BSBBSB: He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.
47. 44ENGOEBCWPharaoh also said to Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh, but without your consent no one may lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.’BSBBSB: And Pharaoh declared to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission, no one in all the land of Egypt shall lift his hand or foot.”
48. 45ENGOEBCWPharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah and gave him as a wife Asenath the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Josephs’ authority was over all Egypt,BSBBSB: Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.

49. The Seven Years of Plenty

50. 46ENGOEBCWand so at the age of thirty Joseph was commissioned by Pharaoh, king of Egypt and went out as the head of the land of Egypt.BSBBSB: Now Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt.
51. 47ENGOEBCWIn the seven plenteous years there were bountiful harvests,BSBBSB: During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully.
52. 48ENGOEBCWand Joseph gathered up all the food of the seven plenteous years, which were in the land of Egypt, and stored the food in the cities, putting in each city the products of the fields about it.BSBBSB: During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it.
53. 49ENGOEBCWJoseph stored up grain as the sand of the sea, in great quantities, until he ceased to keep account, because it could not be measured.BSBBSB: So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.
54. 50ENGOEBCWTwo sons were born to Joseph and Asenath before the year of famine came.BSBBSB: Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
55. 51ENGOEBCWJoseph named the eldest Manasseh, for he said, ‘God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s household.’BSBBSB: Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”
56. 52ENGOEBCWHe named the second son Ephraim, for he said, ‘God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’BSBBSB: And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

57. The Famine Begins

58. 53ENGOEBCWWhen the seven years of plenty which had been in the land of Egypt were over,BSBBSB: When the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end,
59. 54ENGOEBCWthe seven years of famine began, as Joseph had said; and there was famine in all lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food,BSBBSB: the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt.
60. 55ENGOEBCWfor when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.’BSBBSB: When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”
61. 56ENGOEBCWSo when the famine was universal throughout the earth, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold food to the Egyptians: but the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.BSBBSB: When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
62. 57ENGOEBCWThe peoples of all lands came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was severe throughout the world.BSBBSB: And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.