The rise of household slaves to high civil dignity seems to
have been characteristic of the Egyptian government under
the 19th dynasty (Erman, LAE, 105). Titles corresponding
to those here used are 'scribe of the sideboard,' 'superintendent
of the bakehouse,' etc. (Erman, 187).—3a. The
officers are not incarcerated, but merely detained in custody
pending investigation (Gu.).—3b (J). bound] i.e. 'confined';
cf. 3922f..—4. Joseph is charged with the duty of waiting on
them ((
Hebrew characters) as 394, 2 Sa. 1317). 5-8 is a skilful piece of
narration: the effect of the dreams is vividly depicted before
their character is disclosed.—5. each according to the interpretation of his dream] a sort of idem per idem construction,
meaning that the dreams had each a peculiar
significance.—5b (J).—8. no one to interpret it] No professional
interpreter, such as they would certainly have
consulted had they been at liberty.—interpretations belong to God] The maxim is quite in accord with Egyptian
sentiment (Herod, ii. 83), but in the mouth of Joseph it
expresses the Hebrew idea that inspiration comes directly
from God and is not a (Hebrew characters) (Is. 2913).
On the Egyptian belief in divinely inspired dreams, see Ebers, 321 f.;
Wiedemann, Rel. of the Ancient Eg. 266 ff.; Heyes, 174 ff.: on the
belief in classical antiquity, Hom. Il. ii. 5-34, Od. iv. 795 ff.; Cicero,
De divin. i. § 39 ff. etc.; in modern Egypt, Lane, ME5, i. 330. While
this idea was fully shared by the Israelites, the interpretation of dreams,
as a distinct art or gift, is rarely referred to in OT (only in the case of
Joseph, and that of Daniel, which is largely modelled on it). Elsewhere
the dream either contains the revelation (203ff. etc.), or carries its significance
on its face (2812ff. 3710). See Sta. BTh. § 63. 1.
9-19. The dreams interpreted.—9-11. The butler had
seen a vine pass rapidly through the stages of its growth;
had seemed to squeeze the ripe grapes into a cup and present
(407 etc.).—3. (Hebrew characters)] Better perhaps (Hebrew characters) (cf. v.4), with (Hebrew characters) as acc. of
place. So v.7.—4. (Hebrew characters) = 'for some time'; G-K. § 139 h.—6. (Hebrew characters)] 'be fretful';
elsewhere late (Dn. 110, Pr. 193, 2 Ch. 219 † ).—8. (Hebrew characters)] On the
order, G-K. § 152 o.—(Hebrew characters)] G (Hebrew characters).
10. (Hebrew characters)] Not 'when it budded' (STO), for such a use of (Hebrew characters) with
a ptcp. (G-K. § 164 g) is dubious even in the Mishnah (JQR, 1908, 697 f.).
If the text be retained we must render 'as if budding' (Dri. T. p. 1722).
