('This is the announcement I [now] make to Pharaoh'). In
any case 29 looks like a new commencement, and may introduce
a variant from J (v.i.).—31. (
Hebrew characters) goes back to the
(Hebrew characters) of 21.—32. If the dream is one, why was it twice
repeated? Because, says Joseph, the crisis is certain and
urgent. So he rounds off his finished and masterly explanation
of the dreams.
33-36. Joseph's advice to Pharaoh.—Here Joseph
proves himself to be no mere expert in reading dreams, but
a man with a large reserve of practical wisdom and statesmanship.—33-35.
There is an apparent discrepancy between
the appointment of a single official (33a) and that of a commission
of 'overseers' (34a); and again between the fifth
part (34b) and the whole (35a); we note also the transition
from sing. ((Hebrew characters)) to pl. ((Hebrew characters), etc.). For attempts at division
of sources, see below.—34. The taxing of a fifth part of the
crop seems to have been a permanent Egyptian institution
(see on 4724), whose origin the Hebrews traced to the
administration of Joseph.—35. under the hand (i.e. the
authority) of Pharaoh] cf. Ex. 1810, 2 Ki. 135, Is. 36.
37-46. Joseph's elevation.—37, 39 (E) 38 (J).—The thing that was pleasing to Pharaoh, etc., is not the interpreta-*
2730 432 4412), and (Hebrew characters) (1210 431 474. 13) as characteristic of J; but they are
not decisive. Gu. limits J to 29. 30a. 32b_(Greek characters) ( 27f. 30b. 31. 32ab_(Greek characters) E). This is on the
whole more satisfying, since (Hebrew characters) and (Hebrew characters) appear to be doublets (Di.);
but a positive conclusion will hardly be reached.
33-36. The passage is certainly composite, and can be resolved into
two nearly complete sequences as follows: E = 33. 34b. 35b_(Greek characters) (to (Hebrew characters)). 36a_(Greek characters);
J = 34a. 35ab_(Greek characters) (from (Hebrew characters))· 36a_(Greek characters)b. Characteristic of E are (Hebrew characters), (Hebrew characters), (Hebrew characters),
against J's (Hebrew characters) (with (Hebrew characters)), (Hebrew characters), (Hebrew characters); and the only necessary
change is (Hebrew characters) to (Hebrew characters). The result corresponds pretty closely with Gu.,s
analysis; that of Procksch differs widely.—33. (Hebrew characters)] see Baer-Del. p. 78;
G-K. § 75 p. Str., however, holds the true reading to be (Hebrew characters).—34. (Hebrew characters)]
[E] (Hebrew characters). To the peculiar idiom, De. compares the Latin fac scribas;
(Hebrew characters) may, however, mean 'take action,' as 1 Ki. 832.—(Hebrew characters)] G pl.—35.
(Hebrew characters)] Ball prefixes (Hebrew characters) (as v.48); some such expedient is
necessary to make sense of the last word.—For (Hebrew characters), [E]S have (Hebrew characters);
G (Greek characters) ((Hebrew characters)?).—36. (Hebrew characters)] Lv. 521. 23† ; obviously suggested here
by (Hebrew characters) in v.34.
37-46. Analysis.—To E we may pretty confidently assign 37. 39 ((Hebrew characters)
as 33) 40; to J 38. 44. 45. Whether J's parallel to 40 commences with
41 (Pro.), or is delayed to 44 (Gu.), it is hard to decide. 41b reads like a
