Previous
Chapter 40
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Genesis, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God, Humanity, and Creation
Mistrust, Disobedience, and Death
Covenants and Faith in God’s Promises
The Role of Women
Summary
Analysis
Two years later, Pharaoh has a dream in which he’s standing beside the Nile, and seven sleek, fat cows emerge from the river. Seven ugly, thin cows also come out of the Nile and eat the sleek cows. In a second dream, Pharaoh dreams that seven blighted ears of grain devour seven plump ears. Troubled by the dreams, Pharaoh asks Egypt’s best magicians and wise men for an interpretation, but nobody can help him. However, the chief cupbearer remembers Joseph and tell Pharaoh about him. Joseph is immediately brought from prison to hear Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph tells Pharaoh that these two dreams have the same message: God will soon bring seven plentiful years, followed by seven years of famine.
More time passes, and Pharaoh’s cupbearer finally remembers what Joseph did for him. The cupbearer’s remembrance of Joseph is another example of God “remembering” a person by acting on their behalf, even after a long time and in unlikely circumstances. Because of this, Joseph now has a chance to gain Pharaoh’s favor and his own freedom.
Themes
Joseph advises Pharaoh to set a wise man over Egypt’s affairs, as well as overseers to store grain for the coming famine. Pharaoh is pleased with this advice and decides Joseph himself is the best candidate, so he gives Joseph his signet ring, fine garments, and gold. He also gives Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah and an Egyptian wife, Asenath. Joseph spends the next seven years touring Egypt and storing up food in each city.
Now that Joseph has gained Pharaoh’s favor and his own freedom, he is placed in a position of influence from which he can benefit many others. He uses the knowledge gained from Pharaoh’s dreams to wisely prepare for future disaster, showing that his wisdom is pragmatic and not just a matter of symbolic dreams.
Themes
In the meantime, Joseph has two sons, whom he names Manasseh (because God has made him forget his hardship) and Ephraim (because God has made him fruitful). Eventually, as Joseph had foreseen, famine comes to Egypt, yet because of Joseph, there’s enough bread for everyone. In fact, people start traveling to Egypt from other countries, seeking to buy grain.
Manasseh means “making to forget” and Ephraim is from a word meaning “to be fruitful.” Both are testimonies of what God has done for Joseph in Egypt; despite being rejected by his brothers and estranged from his family, he is serving God and prospering.
Themes
