Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream

Lesson 4

Read Pharaoh’s Dream

How long has Joseph been waiting to be remembered by the chief cupbearer?

Why do you think the chief cupbearer forgot about Joseph? What might prevent him from doing anything about Joseph?

How many times is “behold” used in verses 1 - 7? Why is this word used repeatedly? What does it signify?

Why are these dreams different from other dreams? Why would the Pharaoh think these means something more than any other dream?

What is significant about the fact that Pharaoh had two dreams? What does that remind you of?

Joseph had two dreams. There were two dreams Joseph interpreted at once in the jail. Now Pharaoh has two dreams.

Do you think the fact that the dreams have come in two have any significance for Joseph? If so, how?

Looking at a map, what is significant about an “east wind?” What would that wind be like?

The east wind would be coming across the Arabian desert causing a hot, blighting wind that would quickly wither all vegetation. Think severe sand storms.

Who do you think these magicians and wise men are? Why would Pharaoh expect them to interpret his dream?

Why does the cupbearer speak of Joseph now when he hasn’t previously? Why does he say “my offenses” in verse 9? What does he hope to accomplish?

The New Manners and Customs of the Bible 41:1 Nile River

The Nile is the longest river it in the world and flows 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometers) north through eastern Africa from its remotest head stream, the Ruvyironza River, in present-day Burundi to a delta and the mouth of the river at the Mediterranean Sea in northeast Egypt. For thousands of years the source of the Nile was unknown, and was considered to be one of the last great mysteries on earth that was still unsolved. Then in the 1850s, a party of Europeans discovered Lake Victoria and its outflow. Later explorers traced the Nile’s ultimate source to the Ruvyironza River, which is one of the upper branches of the Kagera River in modern Tanzania. The Nile has been used for irrigation in Egypt since at least 4000 B.C., a function that now is largely regulated by the Aswan High Dam, constructed in the 1960s in southern Egypt, near the city of Aswan.

The Snake River = 1,078 miles

The Missouri River = 2,341

The Nile River = 6,650

Read Joseph’s Interpretation

Joseph had to shave before he went before Pharaoh. Does this surprise you? Why or why not?

(See the Archaeological Bible page on hair).

Why might a shaven head be a good thing in Egypt?

Who does Joseph say will answer Pharaoh? Who did Joseph say would answer the cupbearers dream? Why does the cupbearer direct Pharaoh to Joseph instead of God?

What is it that God is about to do?

What message does this statement about God’s doing send to Pharaoh? What has Pharaoh depended on and how does this change that?

Pharaoh thought their nourishment was provided for through the Nile, but he is about to learn it is not through the Nile River, but from the hand of God.

What does it mean by “ the matter is determined by God?”

Why do you think he says to withhold a fifth of the produce?

Where did Joseph learn the skills to know what to do in regards to the coming famine?

Can you recall another Hebrew that was raised to high office due to his relationship with God allowing him to interpret dreams?

What do you think Joseph’s expectation was of Pharaoh’s response to the interpretation?

Pharaoh asked for an interpretation of the dream. Joseph gave a full interpretation and completed it by verse 32. Why do you think he continued with a suggestion of what to do about the interpretation?

Read Joseph Appointed A Ruler in Egypt

People are usually reluctant to accept bad news. They tend to go into denial. Why does Pharaoh so readily accept Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams?

The cupbearer has born witness to the validity of Joseph’s interpretations of the past. God also influences political figures. (See ; ; )

Joseph goes from being a prisoner to the leader of a nation. What has prepared Joseph for this kind of responsibility?

1. As Jacob’s heir, Jacob would have mentored Joseph in leadership. We see this with the giving of the robe and the fact that Joseph was home when his brothers were in the field. When Jacob sent Joseph to go and get a report from his brothers in the field and report back to him, it was probably a part of the training process of being in charge.

2. Then Joseph’s work for Potiphar would have given him further training in leadership, supervision, organization, etc...

3. Joseph was appointed an overseer in prison giving further training.

Some of these were good times and some bad times, but they all helped to prepare Joseph for this position as leader over Egypt’s economy.

What can we learn from this in our own life? Is the same true of us? How can this encourage us?

Verse 42 is literally a ceremony, much like a coronation ceremony. List each part and what you feel they signify. What might be an equivalent ceremony that we know of?

Joseph was placed in the second chariot behind Pharaoh and they cried out to the people, “Bow the knee!” What do you feel is happening here? Do you have any concerns about this scripture?

This is a concerning verse until you fully understand what is taking place. They are not worshipping Joseph. They are only showing respect acknowledging his place as a prince of the land. It was like a naturalization ceremony declaring him a native of the land. He is no longer considered a foreigner, but a citizen of Egypt. He is declared a prince and the full administrator of all Egypt for Pharaoh.

What does this action confirm from Joseph’s past? Can we learn something from this?

Joseph’s dream as a young boy. We can learn that sometimes it takes a long time for the dreams God has placed on our hearts to come true. We just need to continue to trust and serve God no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in.

What past events should have encouraged Joseph to continue to believe in the dream?

As part of this naturalization ceremony, Joseph is given a new name and a wife sealing his citizenship.

Zaphnath-paaneah—variously interpreted, “revealer of secrets”; “saviour of the land”; and from the hieroglyphics, “a wise man fleeing from pollution”—that is, adultery.

Do you have any questions or concerns about these proceedings?

When reading it, there can be some concern about Joseph marrying into the family of a foreign priest. Here are some commentary responses:

#1: You must remember that there were other believers and priests of God outside the Hebrew faith. Remember Melchizedek and later on Moses father-in-law, Jethro, priest of Midian. Each were priests of the one true God. It is believed that Potiphera was such. It would have been an insult to Joseph that after interpreting Pharaoh’s dream through God that Pharaoh would give him to marry a priest of another god.

#2: Potiphera was a priest of Ra, the sun god. By marrying Joseph and the priest’s daughter, Joseph will more likely be received by the people. It is one more step of his naturalization.

How old was Joseph when he was brought to Egypt? (See ). How much time has passed since his brother’s sold him?

—seventeen when brought into Egypt, probably three in prison, and thirteen in the service of Potiphar.

Joseph quickly gets to work. See verse 46. He goes through all the land. What is he doing?

Familiarizing himself with the land. Scouting for the best sites to build warehouses for the grain. Meeting the people, making appointments of workers, etc… He does not delay but immediately sets about the task that has been placed in his care.

What does this tell you about Joseph? What would some have done?

Some would have taken time to enjoy the riches just bestowed upon them. Here again we see Joseph’s integrity. He does not rely on what others tell him, but he gets out in the land and learns for himself. He takes seriously the task he is appointed to do.

How much grain is beyond measure? :-)

Read Joseph Has a Family

Read Joseph Has a Family

What do the names of Joseph’s sons tell you about Joseph?

Manasseh-”forgetting”

Ephraim- “twice fruitful”

Read The Dream Becomes a Reality

Read The Dream Becomes a Reality

Where all has the famine hit?

Canaan, Syria, and Arabia.

The famine is severe in all lands, but it sounds like only Egypt had the foreknowledge to prepare? Why do you think this is?

What does this tell you about the life of a man or woman of God? How does this encourage you?