Pharaoh’s Dreams
Pharaoh's Dreams refer to a significant biblical narrative in which the Egyptian ruler experiences two troubling dreams that foretell a period of abundance followed by a severe famine. In the first dream, seven healthy cows are devoured by seven emaciated cows, while the second dream features seven robust heads of grain consumed by seven thin heads. Disturbed by these dreams, Pharaoh seeks interpretations from his advisers, but they fail to provide clarity. Eventually, Joseph, a former prisoner known for his ability to interpret dreams, is summoned. He reveals that the dreams symbolize seven years of plenty in Egypt followed by seven years of famine, advising Pharaoh to store grain during the prosperous years to prepare for the impending scarcity.
This story, found in the Book of Genesis, illustrates themes of divine guidance, the importance of foresight, and the transformative power of faith. Joseph's rise from imprisonment to a position of power not only saves Egypt during the famine but also highlights the broader narrative of redemption and faithfulness found in the Abrahamic traditions. Across various religious perspectives, Joseph is regarded as a significant figure, embodying the belief that adherence to divine will can lead to salvation and prosperity.
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Subject Terms
Pharaoh’s Dreams
Author: Traditional Jewish
Time Period: 2499 BCE–1000 BCE
Country or Culture: Middle East
Genre: Myth
PLOT SUMMARY
When the pharaoh of Egypt wakes one morning, an ominous dream lingers with him. In the dream, he stood beside a river as seven healthy, plump cows rose out of it. A moment later, seven starving and hideous cows emerged from the water and began to feast on the healthy cows. The pharaoh tries to go back to sleep, but another dream comes to him in which seven healthy heads of grain rise on a single stalk, only to be eaten by seven thin and sickly heads of grain.
The dreams trouble the pharaoh, so he sends for all of his advisers and court magicians, hoping they will help him interpret the strange omens. Unfortunately, they are unable to offer guidance. The pharaoh’s butler, however, has an idea. Years before, he was placed in jail, where he met a man named Joseph. The butler and the pharaoh’s baker, who was also imprisoned, both had confusing dreams, which Joseph interpreted for them, claiming that the butler would be returned to freedom and the baker sentenced to death. When the butler tells the pharaoh that this did indeed come true, the pharaoh immediately sends for Joseph.
The pharaoh tells Joseph of his dreams and asks for an interpretation. Before he begins, Joseph reminds the pharaoh that it is not he who will provide the meaning, but rather God. After hearing the dreams, Joseph reveals that they both prophesy the same thing. Seven years of plentitude and fruitfulness will come to Egypt, during which the people will be able to feast throughout the seasons. This will be followed by seven years of famine and starvation. The pharaoh must save as much food as possible during the seven years of plentitude so that the people will have something to eat during the long famine. Joseph further suggests that the pharaoh should appoint a wise man to organize this effort and ensure that at least one-fifth of all the food grown gets put aside.
Knowing that Joseph is a wise man as well as a man of God, the pharaoh immediately appoints him to the position, placing a ring on Joseph’s finger and clothing him with fine linen and gold. At once, Joseph becomes one of the most powerful men in Egypt and is given a beautiful wife as well as a chariot to ride throughout the land. With this power, Joseph does exactly as he suggested, putting aside food while he begins a family with his wife. When the famine does come, it spreads throughout the entire world, and while people in many lands suffer, in Egypt they come to Joseph, who provides for them and keeps them healthy. When the famine is over, Egypt’s people are still alive, and the nation is rich from selling its extra grain.
SIGNIFICANCE
The story of Joseph’s interpretation of the pharaoh’s dreams comes from the book of Genesis, the first book in the Christian Old Testament and the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Situated in these foundational texts, Joseph became a significant figure across a number of religious traditions; in addition to his roles in Christianity and Judaism, he is an Islamic prophet and a recurrent figure in the Bahá’í faith. In these traditions, Joseph’s first meeting with the pharaoh comes after an already eventful life. Born to a rich family, Joseph has his own prophetic dream, which seems to suggest that his entire family will bow down to him one day. His brothers, jealous of this prophecy, capture him and sell him into slavery, which leads to his position in the pharaoh’s prison.
The book of Genesis largely focuses on the promise given to the people of Israel by God and the salvation that they receive. In these religious traditions, by maintaining faith in their god, the people of Israel will receive redemption, even if they must go through a great many trials on the way. The story of Joseph offers these same themes on a smaller scale. On the individual level, Joseph is taken in a few short paragraphs from the prisons of Egypt to an exalted position as a ruler of the nation, blessed with riches and a growing family. He achieves this not because of his own abilities but because he constantly defers to God; it is even because he insists to the pharaoh that God, rather than Joseph himself, is responsible for the dream interpretations that the pharaoh selects him to lead Egypt through the famine. The entire nation of Egypt also goes through a similar process. Despite its usually fertile lands, Egypt suffered extensive famines during ancient times, so the prospect of the region failing to provide crops was a dangerous possibility. Through the dreams, both the famine and the time of plenty become attributed to God, and it is by abiding by the promises and prophecies given to them that the leaders of Egypt are able to prevent the prophesied disaster.
Joseph’s transformation into one of the most powerful men in Egypt and the nation’s increase in prosperity mirror the greater narratives of the book of Genesis. The sanctity of the Abrahamic god’s blessing is reinforced alongside the role of humans in either accepting or denying that blessing. While the varying religious and spiritual traditions that include Joseph all interpret his narrative differently, the core idea remains consistent: he follows the promise of God and, through his faith, is able to endure great tragedy and feed not only his own people but also all the starving nations of the world.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Guzik, David. “Genesis 41: Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream and Rises to Power.” Enduring Word Media. Enduring Word Media Resource, n.d. Web. 28 May 2013.
Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 18–50. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. Print. New Intl. Commentary on the Old Testament.
Kim, Hyun Chul Paul. “Reading the Joseph Story (Genesis 37–50) as a Diaspora Narrative.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 75.2 (2013): 219–38. Print.
Newman, Stephen. “Pharaoh’s Dreams: An Extended Interpretation.” Jewish Bible Quarterly 40.4 (2012): 253–54. Print.
Telushkin, Joseph. Biblical Literacy: The Most Important People, Events, and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible. New York: Morrow, 1997. Print.