Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream & Freed

When the Pharoah of Egypt has a dream that cannot be interpreted, Joseph is remembered by the chief butler to interpret the dream. Joseph declared first of all that the two dreams had the same meaning, and pointed to their Author, God, who thereby sought to warn Pharaoh and his subjects of events to come. The number seven, which played so prominent a role in the dreams, pointed to two periods of seven years each.

The fat cows and the full ears represented seven abundant harvests the lean ones, seven barren years. The latter would follow the former over the whole land of Egypt, so that the years of famine would leave no trace of the seven fruitful years. Joseph added that the repetition of the dream was to emphasize the certainty of the events indicated and the urgency of taking measures to meet the emergency. Joseph's confidence in his interpretation, which looked 14 years into the future, in contrast with the perplexity of the Egyptian wise men, could not fail to impress the king.

Joseph followed up his interpretation by the advice that Pharaoh should appoint a man as minister of food over the whole land, and a staff of officers to carry out his instructions. Joseph advised also that during the seven years of superabundance a fifth part of the harvest should be levied, as a tax, and stored up throughout the country. Joseph's counsel was so sound and pleasing to Pharaoh and his counselors that the king proposed the appointment of Joseph as minister of food, and granted him emergency powers.