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<< Genesis 41: Years of Plenty and Years Famine >>
 AWAY up in the swamps and lakes of central Africa a stream rises called the White Nile. When it has run some fifteen hundred miles it meets, near Khartoom, the Blue Nile, which comes from the mountains of Abyssinia. Then the river hurries on, for it has eighteen hundred miles more to go to the sea through a hot desert, with only one other branch to give it more water. All the rich soil of Egypt is mud that the Nile brings all the water. It is the While Nile which keeps the river running all the year, and it is the Blue Nile, fed with mountain torrents, which gives the river its rich mud, and which makes it each year overflow.
Even in the days of Joseph the rise of the river was anxiously watched, and swift messengers took word from far up the river to the cities lower down. In the autmnn the water reached its height in the part of Egypt where Joseph lived, being some twenty-six feet or in narrow places forty feet above its lowest level. Then the fields were overflowed and drank in refreshment for the year, except as some water could be stored up, or pumped in the dry weather from the river. In the time of overflow the Delta is a strange sight, nearly all under water except the towns which stand on little hills, and the dikes which rise out of the water and make narrow paths from place to place.
If there is famine in Egypt, it is because the river has failed to give the fields their water. When in a good year the water has come and gone, the black fields of the Delta quickly grow green with wheat and other crops. Peasants in blue frocks are busy. Flocks of goats feed here and there. Donkeys and camels pass to and fro. Sleepy buffaloes turn the creaking water-wheels. It is no uncommon thing to see the cattle come up out of the river or canal, for in the hot weather they go into the water till they are hidden sometimes all but the tips of their noses and horns, to cool themselves and to escape from the flies. The river branches through the Delta in a thousand sluggish streams, where in the old time the lotus flowers and the plumy papyrus were plenty. Over all this scene there is a soft air and a bright blue sky.
One hard thing in the Egyptian climate is the hot southeast wind which comes from the deserts of Arabia, dry and full of fine, stifling dust. It usually comes early in April and blows off and on for fifty days. If the hot wind blows too early, it withers the grain. All this helps us to picture what Pharaoh saw in his dreams, and the country over which Joseph was made ruler.
We read of the magicians whom Pharaoh called to tell the meaning of the dreams. We hear more of them by and by in the days of Moses. The Egyptians had some knowledge of spiritual things handed down from long ago, but in the time ol Joseph and Moses it was mixed with idolatry and evil. They could not explain the dreams which the Lord had sent to Pharaoh.
Pharaoh gave Joseph his ring, and the ring had in it the king's seal, which Joseph could use as if he were the king himself. The gold chain which Pharaoh put about Joseph's neck was perhaps a beautiful golden collar of delicate work. We can imagine, too, how they cried before Joseph when he rode the king's second chariot, Abrech! bow the knee! For to-day a runner (and sometimes several of them) goes before an Egyptian's carriage, his feet and arms bare, a light stick in his hand, his loose white sleeves tied behind his back, his vest glittering with blue and gold, the tassel of his red cap dancing on his shoulders. You still hear the runner's voice in the streets of Cairo, and you know that the carriage of some rich man in coming.
When we read of Joseph's wife, daughter of the priest of On, we remember again the lonely obelisk not far from Cairo, which still marks the place of the old temple. All these things will help us to understand the story.
 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 41:10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker: And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.--Genesis XLI.
Author: William L. Worcester 1904
Spiritual Correspondences
Spiritual Meaning
GENESIS XLI
1-4. And it came to pass from the end of two years of days and Pharaoh dreamed, and behold he stood by the river. And behold out of the river there came up seven kine, beautiful in look and fat in flesh; and they fed in the sedge. And behold seven other kine come up after them out of the river, evil in look and thin in flesh; and stood by the kine upon the bank of the river. And the kine evil in look and thin in flesh did eat up the seven kine beautiful in look and fat. And Pharaoh awoke.
'And it came to pass from the end of two years of days,' signifies after a state of conjunction; 'and Pharaoh dreamed,' signifies what was provided in regard to the natural; 'and behold he stood by the river,' signifies from boundary to boundary; 'and behold out of the river,' signifies the in the boundary; 'there came up seven kine,' signifies were truths of the natural; 'beautiful in look,' signifies that were of faith; 'and fat in flesh,' signifies that were of charity; 'and they fed in the sedge,' signifies instruction; 'and behold seven other kine came up after them out of the river,' signifies falsities that were of the natural also in the boundary; 'evil in look,' signifies that were not of faith; 'and thin in flesh,' signifies nor of charity; 'and stood by the kine upon the bank of the river,' signifies that they were in the boundaries where truths were; 'and the kine evil in look and thin in flesh did eat up,' signifies that the falsities which were not of faith nor of charity banished; 'the seven kine beautiful in look and fat,' signifies the truths of the natural that were of faith and of charity; 'and Pharaoh awoke,' signifies a state of enlightenment.
5-7. And he slept and dreamed a second time, and behold seven ears of corn came up on one stalk, fat and good. And behold seven ears thin and parched with the east wind sprung up after them. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven fat and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold it was a dream.
'And he slept,' signifies an obscure state; 'and dreamed a second time,' signifies what was provided; 'and behold seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk,' signifies the memory-knowledges of the natural joined together; 'fat and good,' signifies into which the things of faith and charity could be applied; 'and behold seven ears, thin,' signifies memory-knowledges of no use; 'and parched with the east wind,' signifies full of cupidities; 'sprung up after them,' signifies appeared near; 'and the thin ears swallowed up the seven fat and full ears,' signifies that the memory-knowledges of no use banished the good memory-knowledges; 'and Pharaoh awoke,' signifies a general state of enlightenment; 'and behold it was a dream,' signifies in that obscurity.
8. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof; and Pharaoh told them his dream; and no one interpreted these things to Pharaoh.
'And it came to pass in the morning,' signifies in this new state; 'that his spirit was troubled,' signifies disturbance; 'and he sent and called all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof,' signifies in consulting the interior as well as the exterior memory-knowledges; 'and Pharaoh told them his dream,' signifies about things to come; 'and no one interpreted these things to Pharaoh,' signifies that it was not known what would happen.
9-13. And spake the prince of the butlers unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my sins this day. Pharaoh was wroth upon his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the prince of the guards, me and the prince of the bakers: and we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each one according to the interpretation of his dream. And there was with us there a Hebrew boy, servant to the prince of the guards; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each one according to his dream he did interpret. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he brought back upon my station, and him he hanged.
'And spake the prince of the butlers unto Pharaoh,' signifies thought from the sensuous subject to the intellectual part; 'saying,' signifies perception therefrom; 'I do remember my sins this day,' signifies about a state of disjunction; 'Pharaoh was wroth upon his servants,' signifies when the natural turned itself away; 'and put me in custody in the house of the prince of the guards,' signifies rejection by the things that are primary for interpretation; 'me and the prince of the bakers,' signifies both sensuous parts; 'and we dreamed a dream in one night,' signifies what was foreseen in obscurity; 'I and he,' signifies concerning both sensuous parts; 'we dreamed each one according to the interpretation of his dream,' signifies what would be the event to both; 'and there was with us there a Hebrew boy,' signifies that because of temptation the guiltlessness of the church was rejected thither; 'servant to the prince of the guards,' signifies wherein was truth that might serve primarily for interpretation; 'and we told him,' signifies that there was perception therefrom; 'and he interpreted to us our dreams,' signifies what was in the things foreseen in obscurity; 'to each one according to his dream he did interpret,' signifies from truth; 'and it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was,' signifies that such was the event; 'me he brought back upon my station,' signifies that the sensuous of the intellectual part was received; 'and him he hanged,' signifies that the sensuous of the will part was rejected.
14. And Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the pit; and he shaved, and changed his garments, and came unto Pharaoh.
'And Pharaoh sent,' signifies the inclination of the new natural; 'and called Joseph,' signifies to receive the celestial of the spiritual; 'and they brought him hastily out of the pit,' signifies a speedy rejection of such things as from the state of temptation were a hindrance, and thereby a change; 'and he shaved,' signifies rejection and change as to what is of the exterior natural; 'and changed his garments,' signifies as to what is of the interior natural, by putting on what is suitable; 'and came unto Pharaoh,' signifies communication thereby with the new natural.
15, 16. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and no one interpreteth it; and I have heard upon thee, saying, thou hearest a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, Not unto me; God shall answer peace to Pharaoh.
'And Pharaoh said unto Joseph,' signifies the perception of the celestial of the spiritual from the natural; 'I have dreamed a dream,' signifies prediction; 'and no one interpreteth it,' signifies ignorance of what was therein; 'and I have heard upon thee,' signifies the capacity of the celestial of the spiritual; 'saying, thou hearest a dream to interpret it,' signifies of perceiving what is in the things foreseen; 'and Joseph answered Pharaoh,' signifies knowledge; 'saying, Not unto me,' signifies that it was not from the human alone; 'God shall answer peace to Pharaoh,' signifies from the Divine Human through conjunction.
17-24. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, In my dream behold I stood beside the bank of the river; and behold out of the river there came up seven kine, fat in flesh and beautiful in form, and they fed in the sedge; and behold seven other kine came up after them, thin and evil in form exceedingly, and lean in flesh, such as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt for badness; and the lean and evil kine did eat up the first seven fat kine, and they came to their inwards and it was not known that they had come to their inwards; and their look was bad as in the beginning. And I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and behold seven ears came up upon one stalk, fat and good; and behold seven ears, withered, thin, and parched with the east wind, sprung up after them; and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears; and I told it unto the magicians, and no one telleth it to me.
'And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph,' signifies the thought of the celestial of the spiritual from the natural; 'In my dream,' signifies what was foreseen in obscurity; 'behold I stood beside the bank of the river,' signifies from boundary to boundary; 'and behold out of the river,' signifies that in the boundary; 'there came up seven kine,' signifies truths of the natural; 'fat in flesh,' signifies that were of charity; 'and beautiful in form,' signifies that were of faith thence; 'and they fed in the sedge,' signifies instruction; 'and behold seven other kine came up after them,' signifies falsities that were of the natural, near; 'thin and evil in form exceedingly,' signifies that were empty and of no faith; 'and lean in flesh,' signifies that neither were of charity; 'such as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt for badness,' signifies such as could in no way be conjoined with truths and goods; 'and the lean and evil kine did eat up,' signifies that falsities not of charity nor of faith banished; 'the first seven fat kine,' signifies the truths of faith from charity; 'and they came to their inwards,' signifies interior banishment; 'and it was not known that they had come to their inwards,' signifies that the truths of good were no longer perceived; 'and their look was bad as in the beginning,' signifies that there was nothing of communication and conjunction; 'and I awoke,' signifies a state of enlightenment; 'and I saw in my dream,' signifies what was further foreseen in obscurity; 'and behold seven ears came up upon one stalk,' signifies memory-knowledges that were of the natural, conjoined; 'full and good,' signifies to which the things of faith and charity could be applied; 'and behold seven ears, withered, thin, and parched with the east wind,' signifies memory-knowledges of no use and full of cupidities; 'sprung up after them,' signifies appearing near; 'and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears,' signifies that the memory-knowledges of no use banished those that were of use; 'and I told it unto the magicians,' signifies a consultation with interior memory-knowledges; 'and no one telleth it to me,' signifies that nothing was perceived from them.
25-27. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one; what God doeth He hath shown to Pharaoh. The seven good kine are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dream is one. And the seven thin and evil kine that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears parched with the east wind shall be seven years off famine.
'And Joseph said unto Pharaoh,' signifies the perception of the natural from the celestial of the spiritual; 'the dream of Pharaoh is one,' signifies the like in both, foreseen; 'what God doeth He hath shown to Pharaoh,' signifies what was provided, that it was given the natural to perceive; 'the seven good kine are seven years,' signifies states of the multiplication of truth in the interior natural; 'and the seven good ears are seven years,' signifies states of the multiplication of truth in the exterior natural; 'the dream is one,' signifies that there will be both by conjunction; 'and the seven thin and evil kine that came up after them are seven years,' signifies states of the multiplication of falsity that infests the interior natural; 'and the seven empty ears parched with the east wind,' signifies states of the multiplication of falsity that infests the exterior natural; 'shall be seven years of famine,' signifies hence a lack and seeming privation of truth
28-32 This is the word that I spake unto to Pharaoh; what God doeth He hath caused Pharaoh to see. Behold there come seven years of great abundance of produce in all the land of Egypt; and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the abundance of produce shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; and the abundance of produce shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine after it, for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice, it is because the word is established by God, and God is hastening to do it.
'This is the word that I spake unto Pharaoh,' signifies what the natural thought from the celestial of the spiritual; 'what God doeth,' signifies concerning what is provided; 'He hath caused Pharaoh to see,' signifies the perception of the natural; 'behold there come seven years,' signifies states of providence; 'of great abundance of produce in all the land of Egypt,' signifies the multiplication of truth in both naturals; 'and there shall arise after them seven years of famine,' signifies the states that follow when there is a lack of truth; 'and all the abundance of produce shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt,' signifies the removal of truth and the apparent privation of it in both naturals; 'and the famine shall consume the land,' signifies even to despair; 'and the abundance of produce shall not be known in the land,' signifies that nothing shall be perceived therein of truth previously there 'by reason of that famine after it, for it shall be very grievous,' signifies on account of such a lack; 'and for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice,' signifies because foreseen concerning both naturals; 'it is because the word is established by God,' signifies that it is Divine; 'and God is hastening to do it,' signifies in every event.
33-36. And now let Pharaoh see a man intelligent and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint governors over the land, and take the fifth of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance of produce. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and heap up corn under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them guard it. And the food shall be for a store to the land against the seven years of famine that shall be in the land of Egypt, and the land shall not be cut off in the famine.
'And now let Pharaoh see,' signifies the looking forward of the natural; 'a man intelligent and wise,' signifies about the inflowing truth and good; 'and set him over the land of Egypt,' signifies that will bring into order all things in the natural mind; 'let Pharaoh do this,' signifies further looking forward; 'and let him appoint governors over the land,' signifies the orderly arrangement of generals in the natural; 'and take up the fifth of the land of Egypt,' signifies that were to be preserved and afterward stored up; 'in the seven years of abundance of produce,' signifies that had been insinuated at the times when truths with goods were multiplied; 'and let them gather all the food,' signifies all things that are of use; 'of those good years that come,' signifies that are to be gathered in at those times; 'and heap up corn,' signifies every good of truth at the same time; 'under the hand of Pharaoh,' signifies for need and consequent disposal in the natural; 'for food in the cities,' signifies such things in the interiors of the natural mind; 'and let them guard it,' signifies there to be laid up in store; 'and the food shall be for a store to the land,' signifies that it shall be there for every use of the natural; 'against the seven years of famine,' signifies according to the need in cases of deficiency; 'that shall be in the land of Egypt,' signifies that shall be in the natural; 'and the land shall not be cut off in the famine,' signifies lest the man should perish.
37-40. And the word was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Shall we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the spirit of God? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath caused thee to know all this, there is no one so intelligent and wise as thou; thou shalt be over my house, and upon thy mouth shall all my people kiss; only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
'And the word was good in the eyes of Pharaoh,' signifies what is very pleasing to the natural; 'and in the eyes of all his servants,' signifies what is very pleasing to all things in the natural; 'and Pharaoh said unto his servants,' signifies the perception of the natural together with all things therein; 'Shall we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the spirit of God,' signifies about the influx of truth in which is good from the interior, thus the celestial of the spiritual; 'and Pharaoh said unto Joseph,' signifies the perception of the natural from the celestial of the spiritual; 'Forasmuch as God hath caused thee to know all this,' signifies because it has foresight and providence; 'there is no one so intelligent and wise as thou,' signifies that this is the only source of truth and good; 'thou shalt be over my house,' signifies that the natural mind shall be subordinate and submissive thereto; 'and upon thy mouth shall all my people kiss,' signifies that everything therein shall be in obedience to him; 'only in the throne will I he greater than thou,' signifies that nevertheless it will appear as if from the natural, because from the celestial of the spiritual through the natural.
41-44. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from upon his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put a necklace of gold upon his neck; and he made him ride in the second chariot that he had; and they cried before him, Abrech; and he set him over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.
'And Pharaoh said unto Joseph,' signifies the further perception of the natural from the celestial of the spiritual; 'See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt,' signifies dominion over both naturals. 'And Pharaoh took off his ring from upon his hand,' signifies a confirming of the power the natural previously had; 'and put it upon Joseph's hand,' signifies that the natural yielded all the power to the celestial of the spiritual; 'and clothed him in garments of fine linen,' signifies an external significative of the celestial of the spiritual; ('garments of fine linen' are truths from the Divine); 'and put a necklace of gold upon his neck,' signifies a significative of the conjunction of interior things with exterior, effected by good; 'and he made him ride in the second chariot,' signifies a significative that from this comes all the doctrine of good and truth' 'that he had,' signifies that comes by means of the natural; 'and they cried before him, Abrech,' signifies acknowledgment through faith, and adoration; 'and he set him over all the land of Egypt,' signifies that such was its authority; 'and Pharaoh said unto Joseph,' signifies still further perception; 'I am Pharaoh,' signifies that the natural is thence derived; 'and without thee shall no man lift up his hand,' signifies that from the celestial of the spiritual is everything of power in the spiritual; 'or his foot,' signifies and everything of power in the natural; 'in all the land of Egypt,' signifies in both naturals.
45. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and gave him Asenath the daughter of Potiphera priest of On for a woman; and Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
'And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah,' signifies the quality of the celestial of the spiritual at that time; 'and he gave him Asenath the daughter of Potiphera priest of On for a woman,' signifies the quality of the marriage of truth with good and of good with truth; 'and Joseph went out over the land of Egypt,' signifies when both naturals were its own.
46-49. And Joseph was a son of thirty years when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from before Pharaoh, and passed over into all the land of Egypt. And the earth made gatherings in the seven years of abundance of produce. And he gathered together all the food of the seven years that were in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities, the food of the field of the city, that which was round about it, put he in the midst thereof. And Joseph heaped up corn as the sand of the sea, exceeding much, until he ceased to number, because it was without number.
'And Joseph was a son of thirty years, signifies a full state of remains; 'when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt,' signifies when its presence was in the natural; 'and Joseph went out from before Pharaoh,' signifies when the natural in general belonged to the celestial of the spiritual; 'and passed over into all the land of Egypt,' signifies when it made everything therein subordinate and submissive; 'and the earth made gatherings in the seven years of abundance of produce,' signifies the first states when truths are multiplied in series; 'and he gathered together all the food of the seven years,' signifies the preservation of truth adjoined to good multiplied during the first times; 'that were in the land of Egypt,' signifies in the natural; 'and put the food in the cities,' signifies that it stored up in the interiors; 'the food of the field of the city,' signifies things that belong and are suitable to them; 'that which was round about it he put in the midst thereof,' signifies the things previously in the exterior natural, it stored up in the interiors of the interior natural; 'and Joseph heaped up corn as the sand of the sea, exceeding much,' signifies the multiplying of truth from good; 'until he ceased to number, because it was without number,' signifies such as had in it the celestial from the Divine.
50-52. And to Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath the daughter of Potiphera priest of On bare to him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh; For God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim; For God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.
'And to Joseph were born two sons,' signifies good and truth therefrom; 'before the year of famine came,' signifies that came through the natural; 'whom Asenath the daughter of Potiphera priest of On bare to him,' signifies that came from the marriage; 'and Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh,' signifies a new will in the natural, and its quality; 'For God hath made me forget all my toil,' signifies removal after temptations; 'and all my father's house,' signifies the removal of hereditary evils; 'and the name of the second called he Ephraim,' signifies a new understanding in the natural, and its quality; 'For God hath made me fruitful,' signifies the consequent multiplication of truth from good; 'in the land of my affliction,' signifies where temptations were suffered.
53-57. And the seven years of abundance of produce that was in the land of Egypt were ended. And the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said; and there was famine in all lands; and in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And all the land of Egypt was famished, and the people cried unto Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all Egypt, Go unto Joseph; what he saith unto you, do. And the famine was over all the faces of the land, and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to Egypt; and the famine was strengthened in the land of Egypt. And all the earth came into Egypt to buy, to Joseph; because the famine was strengthened in all the earth.
'And the seven years of abundance of produce were ended,' signifies after the states of the multiplication of truth; 'that was in the land of Egypt,' signifies in the natural; 'and the seven years of famine began to come,' signifies the following states of desolation; 'as Joseph had said,' signifies as had been foreseen by the celestial of the spiritual; 'and there was famine in all lands,' signifies desolation everywhere in the natural; 'and in all the land of Egypt there was bread,' signifies remains in consequence of truths from good having been multiplied; 'and all the land of Egypt was famished,' signifies desolation in both naturals; 'and the people cried unto Pharaoh for bread,' signifies the need of good for truth; 'and Pharaoh said to all Egypt,' signifies perception; 'Go unto Joseph,' signifies that it was from the celestial of the spiritual; 'what he saith to you, do,' signifies provided there is obedience; 'and the famine was over all the faces of the land,' signifies that there was desolation even to despair; 'and Joseph opened all the storehouses,' signifies communication from remains; 'and sold to Egypt,' signifies appropriation; 'and the famine was strengthened in the land of Egypt,' signifies increasing severity; 'and all the earth came into Egypt,' signifies that truths and goods were brought into the memory knowledges of the church; 'to buy,' signifies appropriation therefrom; 'to Joseph,' signifies where the celestial of the spiritual was; 'because the famine was strengthened in all the earth,' signifies that everywhere, except there, was there desolation in the natural.
[AC 5193-5376]
Author: Emanuel Swedenborg
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