Genesis 41:25 Study Bible: Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.

◄ Genesis 41:25 ►

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.

Study Bible

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative. Joseph, a Hebrew slave and prisoner, stands before Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler in Egypt. The Hebrew name "Joseph" (יוֹסֵף, Yosef) means "He will add," reflecting Joseph's role in God's plan to add wisdom and provision to Egypt. This encounter is a divine appointment, showcasing God's sovereignty in elevating Joseph to a position of influence. Historically, Pharaohs were considered divine figures, yet here, Joseph, a servant of the Most High God, is about to interpret dreams that even Pharaoh's magicians could not decipher.

The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same
Joseph begins by unifying the two dreams Pharaoh had, indicating that they carry a single, divine message. The Hebrew word for "dreams" (חֲלוֹמוֹת, chalomot) suggests visions or revelations that are significant and require divine interpretation. In the ancient Near East, dreams were often seen as messages from the gods, and Joseph's ability to interpret them underscores the power of the God of Israel over the gods of Egypt. This unity of the dreams signifies the certainty and importance of the message God is conveying.

God has revealed to Pharaoh
Here, Joseph attributes the source of the revelation to God, using the Hebrew word "Elohim" (אֱלֹהִים), which emphasizes God's majesty and power. This is a bold declaration in the Egyptian court, where multiple deities were worshiped. Joseph's statement is a testament to his faith and the supremacy of the one true God. It also highlights the theme of divine revelation, where God chooses to communicate His plans through dreams, a common biblical motif.

what He is about to do
This phrase indicates the immediacy and certainty of God's plan. The Hebrew verb "to do" (עָשָׂה, asah) implies action and fulfillment. Joseph is not merely predicting the future; he is declaring God's sovereign will. This reflects the biblical principle that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals. Historically, this revelation would prepare Egypt for the coming years of abundance and famine, demonstrating God's providential care and the importance of obedience to His guidance.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Joseph
A Hebrew man who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to prominence in Egypt due to his God-given ability to interpret dreams.

2. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who had two troubling dreams that none of his magicians or wise men could interpret.

3. Egypt
The land where Joseph was taken as a slave and where he eventually became a powerful leader under Pharaoh.

4. Dreams
Pharaoh's dreams, which were symbolic and required divine interpretation to reveal God's plan for Egypt.

5. God
The ultimate source of wisdom and revelation, who communicated His plans through Joseph.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is in control and reveals His plans according to His purposes.

Divine Wisdom
Seek wisdom from God, as He is the source of true understanding and insight.

Faithfulness in Trials
Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership demonstrates the importance of remaining faithful and trusting God's timing.

Purpose in Position
Understand that God places us in specific roles and positions to fulfill His plans and purposes.

Interpreting God's Will
Be open to how God might reveal His will through various means, including dreams, scripture, and wise counsel.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Joseph's ability to interpret dreams demonstrate God's sovereignty and wisdom?

2. In what ways can we seek and discern God's will in our own lives, similar to how Joseph did?

3. How does Joseph's rise to power in Egypt illustrate the principle of God's timing and preparation?

4. What lessons can we learn from Joseph's faithfulness and integrity during his trials and eventual success?

5. How can we apply the principle of seeking divine wisdom, as seen in Joseph's life, to our daily decision-making and challenges?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 37
Joseph's own dreams and his ability to interpret them foreshadow his role in interpreting Pharaoh's dreams.

Daniel 2
Similar to Joseph, Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, emphasizing that true wisdom and revelation come from God.

Acts 2
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit enables believers to prophesy and see visions, showing continuity in God's communication through dreams and visions.

James 1:5
Encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.

Sermons

Joseph as a Prophet	T. H. Leale.	Genesis 41:17-32
The Tried Man	R.A. Redford	Genesis 41

People

Asenath, Egyptians, Joseph, Manasseh, Pharaoh, Potipherah, Zaphnathpaaneah

Places

Egypt, Nile River, On

Topics

Clear, Declared, Dream, Dreams, Joseph, Pharaoh, Pharaoh's, Revealed, Sense, Showed

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Genesis 41:25

     1403   God, revelation
     1443   revelation, OT
     8135   knowing God, nature of
     9130   future, the

Genesis 41:1-49

8131 guidance, results

4823 famine, physical

Genesis 41:25-31

1409 dream

Library

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: The nature of inspiration] Since the days of the Greek philosophers the subject of inspiration and revelation has been fertile theme for discussion and dispute among scholars and theologians. Many different theories have been advanced, and ultimately abandoned as untenable. In its simplest meaning and use, inspiration describes the personal influence of one individual upon the mind and spirit of another. Thus we often say, "That man inspired me." What we are or do under the influence …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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