Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 41:57
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands.
57. all countries ] Cf. Gen 41:52, as we should say, “the whole world.” This verse prepares us for the crisis in the Joseph narrative recorded in the following chapter.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 57. All countries came into Egypt – to buy] As there had not been a sufficiency of rains, vapours, c., to swell the Nile, to effect a proper inundation in Egypt, the same cause would produce drought, and consequently scarcity, in all the neighbouring countries and this may be all that is intended in the text.
1. As the providence of God evidently led the butler and baker of Pharaoh, as well as the king himself, to dream the prophetic dreams mentioned in this and the preceding chapter, so his Spirit in Joseph led to the true interpretation of them. What a proof do all these things give us of a providence that is so general as to extend its influence to every part, and so particular as to notice, influence, and direct the most minute circumstances! Surely God “has way every where, and all things serve his will.”
2. Dreams have been on one hand superstitiously regarded, and on the other skeptically disregarded. That some are prophetic there can be no doubt; that others are idle none can hesitate to believe. Dreams may be divided into the six following kinds:
1. Those which are the mere nightly result of the mind’s reflections and perplexities during the business of the day.
2. Those which spring from a diseased state of the body, occasioning startings, terrors, c.
3. Those which spring from an impure state of the heart, mental repetitions of those acts or images of illicit pleasure, riot, and excess, which form the business of a profligate life.
4. Those which proceed from a diseased mind, occupied with schemes of pride, ambition, grandeur, c. These, as forming the characteristic conduct of the life, are repeatedly reacted in the deep watches of the night, and strongly agitate the soul with illusive enjoyments and disappointments.
5. Those which come immediately from Satan, which instil thoughts and principles opposed to truth and righteousness, leaving strong impressions on the mind suited to its natural bent and turn, which, in the course of the day, by favouring circumstances, may be called into action.
6. Those which come from God, and which necessarily lead to him, whether prophetic of future good or evil, or impressing holy purposes and heavenly resolutions. Whatever lends away from God, truth, and righteousness, must be from the source of evil whatever leads to obedience to God, and to acts of benevolence to man, must be from the source of goodness and truth. Reader, there is often as much superstition in disregarding as in attending to dreams and he who fears God will escape it in both.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
57. The famine was sore in alllandsthat is, the lands contiguous to EgyptCanaan, Syria,and Arabia.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy [corn],…. All the neighbouring nations (Syria, Arabia, Palestine, Canaan, c.), when they heard there was corn there for money, came from all parts for it, and were glad to get it at such expense and trouble:
because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands that there was no bread to be got for money elsewhere. It is thought by many, that for this care of Joseph in laying up provision against this time of need, and which was the preservation of the Egyptians, he was worshipped by them under various names; as the Apis, which was an ox, a sign of fruitfulness; and Serapis, sometimes figured as a young man carrying a basket of bread on his head; and Osiris, who is sometimes represented with a bushel on his head. However, this is certain, that he was an eminent type of Christ in all this, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation: as Joseph was wrongly charged by his mistress, so was Christ falsely accused by the Jews; as he was cast into prison and bound there, so Christ was taken and bound as a prisoner; as Joseph was raised to great honour and glory in Pharaoh’s court, so Christ was exalted by his Father, and crowned with glory and honour; and if the new name given him, “Zaphnathpaaneah”, signifies the Saviour of the world, as some interpret it, it agrees well with Christ, who was sent into the world for that purpose; and indeed, if it means a revealer of secrets, it suits with him, who hath declared his Father’s mind and will, and revealed the mysteries of his grace to the sons of men: and as Joseph had all the stores of corn under his care, and the needy were bid to go to him for it, so Christ has all the treasures of grace in his hand, and all that are sensible of their need of it are directed to go to him for it; and it is from him that men of all nations and countries receive grace for grace, and have all their supplies, and spiritual sustenance and nourishment.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Pro 11:26
REFLECTIONS
Reader! two or three things in a way of Providence ought to affect your heart in reading this Chapter. See how safe their interests are, however long they may seem to be forgotten, whose concerns are in the divine hands! And how much therefrom, it ought to be the study of the faithful to attend to the workings of the LORD in all events of their life; convinced of this, that they who humbly watch and trust a merciful GOD, for the fulfillment of all his covenant promises, will never want a faithful GOD to watch over and take care of them.
But with those providential views only, let not the Reader close his meditation of this Chapter. A view of grace also is at hand. And if from Joseph’s exaltation to the right hand of Pharaoh, our eyes are directed by the SPIRIT of GOD to the LORD JESUS at the right hand of power, into whose Almighty hands the sovereignty of grace is committed; here we shall see indeed, a true Zaphnath-paaneah: a wonderful counsellor! before whom all nations shall bow, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and whose dominion endureth throughout all ages. Oh! thou great provider for all thy people’s need, incline our hearts by thy grace to come to thee for food. And forasmuch as there is none but thou who hast the words of eternal life, none so discreet and wise as thou art: be thou our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Thou shalt be our lord and governor, and according unto thy word so let our souls be ruled. Ever would we desire to bow the knee before thee; and may not only ours, but every tongue confess, that thou art JESUS CHRIST the LORD, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands.
Ver. 57. All countries came to Joseph, &c. ] Foreigners also should be relieved so much as may be. King Edward VI sent five thousand pounds to relieve Protestants beyond the seas. a Geneva received our fugitives for religion in Queen Mary’s time: and Strasburg, the poor banished Lorrainers, that were well nigh famished, being forced to feed on hips and haws, &c.
a Hi frondibus et gramine vescebantur. – Scultet., Annal., p. 315.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
all countries: Gen 42:1, Gen 42:5, Gen 50:20, Deu 9:28, Psa 105:16, Psa 105:17
in all lands: Gen 41:54, Gen 41:56
Reciprocal: Gen 28:12 – he dreamed 2Sa 21:1 – a famine Neh 5:2 – we take up corn