Saadia · Bereshit 41
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- Bereshit 41:1
וַיְהִי מִקֵּץ שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים וּפַרְעֹה חֹלֵם וְהִנֵּה עֹמֵד עַל-הַיְאֹר
. .
When two full years had passed, Pharaoh saw — and behold, he was standing on the bank of the Nile.
- Bereshit 41:2
וְהִנֵּה מִן-הַיְאֹר עֹלֹת שֶׁבַע פָּרוֹת יְפוֹת מַרְאֶה וּבְרִיאֹת בָּשָׂר וַתִּרְעֶינָה בָּאָחוּ
. .
And there came up out of it seven cows — beautiful in appearance and stout of flesh; and they grazed in the reeds.
- Bereshit 41:3
וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע פָּרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת עֹלוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן מִן-הַיְאֹר רָעוֹת מַרְאֶה וְדַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר וַתַּעֲמֹדְנָה אֵצֶל הַפָּרוֹת עַל-שְׂפַת הַיְאֹר
. . .
And seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile — ugly in appearance and lean of flesh; and they stood beside them on the bank of the Nile.
- Bereshit 41:4
וַתֹּאכַלְנָה הַפָּרוֹת רָעוֹת הַמַּרְאֶה וְדַקֹּת הַבָּשָׂר אֵת שֶׁבַע הַפָּרוֹת יְפֹת הַמַּרְאֶה וְהַבְּרִיאֹת וַיִּיקַץ פַּרְעֹה
. . . .
And the cows of ugly appearance, lean of flesh, ate up the seven cows of beautiful appearance, stout of flesh. And Pharaoh awoke.
- Bereshit 41:5
וַיִּישָׁן וַיַּחֲלֹם שֵׁנִית וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע שִׁבֳּלִים עֹלוֹת בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד--בְּרִיאוֹת וְטֹבוֹת
. . .
Then he slept, and saw a second time — behold, seven ears of grain had come up on one stalk, full and good.
- Bereshit 41:6
וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע שִׁבֳּלִים דַּקּוֹת וּשְׁדוּפֹת קָדִים--צֹמְחוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן
. .
And behold, seven other ears, thin and scorched by the qibla-wind, sprouted up after them.
- Bereshit 41:7
וַתִּבְלַעְנָה הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַדַּקּוֹת אֵת שֶׁבַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַבְּרִיאוֹת וְהַמְּלֵאוֹת וַיִּיקַץ פַּרְעֹה וְהִנֵּה חֲלוֹם
. . .
And the thin ears swallowed the seven full and stout ears. And Pharaoh awoke — and behold, it was a dream.
- Bereshit 41:8
וַיְהִי בַבֹּקֶר וַתִּפָּעֶם רוּחוֹ וַיִּשְׁלַח וַיִּקְרָא אֶת-כָּל-חַרְטֻמֵּי מִצְרַיִם וְאֶת-כָּל-חֲכָמֶיהָ וַיְסַפֵּר פַּרְעֹה לָהֶם אֶת-חֲלֹמוֹ וְאֵין-פּוֹתֵר אוֹתָם לְפַרְעֹה
. . . .
And it was in the morning — his spirit was troubled. And he sent and called for all the learned men of Egypt and all its sages; and he recounted his dream to them — but none could interpret it for him.
- Bereshit 41:9
וַיְדַבֵּר שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים אֶת-פַּרְעֹה לֵאמֹר אֶת-חֲטָאַי אֲנִי מַזְכִּיר הַיּוֹם
. .
Then the chief of the cupbearers spoke before him, and said: 'I make mention of my offense today.
- Bereshit 41:10
פַּרְעֹה קָצַף עַל-עֲבָדָיו וַיִּתֵּן אֹתִי בְּמִשְׁמַר בֵּית שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים--אֹתִי וְאֵת שַׂר הָאֹפִים
. . .
Pharaoh had been wroth with his servants, and placed me in the custody of the house of the chief of the executioners — me and the chief of the bakers.
- Bereshit 41:11
וַנַּחַלְמָה חֲלוֹם בְּלַיְלָה אֶחָד אֲנִי וָהוּא אִישׁ כְּפִתְרוֹן חֲלֹמוֹ חָלָמְנוּ
. .
And we saw a dream on one night, I and he; and the dream of each was according to its interpretation.
- Bereshit 41:12
וְשָׁם אִתָּנוּ נַעַר עִבְרִי עֶבֶד לְשַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים וַנְּסַפֶּר-לוֹ וַיִּפְתָּר-לָנוּ אֶת-חֲלֹמֹתֵינוּ אִישׁ כַּחֲלֹמוֹ פָּתָר
. . . .
And there was with us a Hebrew youth, a slave of the chief of the executioners; and we recounted them to him, and he interpreted them for us — interpreting for each according to his dream.
- Bereshit 41:13
וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר פָּתַר-לָנוּ כֵּן הָיָה אֹתִי הֵשִׁיב עַל-כַּנִּי וְאֹתוֹ תָלָה
.
And as he interpreted for us, so it was: the king restored me to my office, and impaled the other.'
- Bereshit 41:14
וַיִּשְׁלַח פַּרְעֹה וַיִּקְרָא אֶת-יוֹסֵף וַיְרִיצֻהוּ מִן-הַבּוֹר וַיְגַלַּח וַיְחַלֵּף שִׂמְלֹתָיו וַיָּבֹא אֶל-פַּרְעֹה
. . .
And Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph; and they hurried him from the prison; and he shaved his hair, and changed his garments, and entered to Pharaoh.
- Bereshit 41:15
וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל-יוֹסֵף חֲלוֹם חָלַמְתִּי וּפֹתֵר אֵין אֹתוֹ וַאֲנִי שָׁמַעְתִּי עָלֶיךָ לֵאמֹר תִּשְׁמַע חֲלוֹם לִפְתֹּר אֹתוֹ
. . . .
Pharaoh said to him: 'I have seen a dream, and there is no interpreter of it; and I have heard about you that when you hear a dream, you interpret it.'
- Bereshit 41:16
וַיַּעַן יוֹסֵף אֶת-פַּרְעֹה לֵאמֹר בִּלְעָדָי אֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶה אֶת-שְׁלוֹם פַּרְעֹה
. .
Joseph answered, and said: 'Apart from my own knowledge — God shall answer Pharaoh with peace.'
- Bereshit 41:17
וַיְדַבֵּר פַּרְעֹה אֶל-יוֹסֵף בַּחֲלֹמִי הִנְנִי עֹמֵד עַל-שְׂפַת הַיְאֹר
.
Then Pharaoh spoke with him, and said: 'I saw — behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile;
- Bereshit 41:18
וְהִנֵּה מִן-הַיְאֹר עֹלֹת שֶׁבַע פָּרוֹת בְּרִיאוֹת בָּשָׂר וִיפֹת תֹּאַר וַתִּרְעֶינָה בָּאָחוּ
. .
and seven cows came up from it, stout of flesh and beautiful in form; and they grazed in the reeds.
- Bereshit 41:19
וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע-פָּרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת עֹלוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן דַּלּוֹת וְרָעוֹת תֹּאַר מְאֹד וְרַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר לֹא-רָאִיתִי כָהֵנָּה בְּכָל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לָרֹעַ
. . .
And behold, seven other cows came up after them — gaunt, exceedingly ugly in form, lean of flesh; I have not seen the like of them in all the land of Egypt in their ugliness.
- Bereshit 41:20
וַתֹּאכַלְנָה הַפָּרוֹת הָרַקּוֹת וְהָרָעוֹת--אֵת שֶׁבַע הַפָּרוֹת הָרִאשֹׁנוֹת הַבְּרִיאֹת
. .
And the lean and ugly cows ate up the seven former stout cows.
- Bereshit 41:21
וַתָּבֹאנָה אֶל-קִרְבֶּנָה וְלֹא נוֹדַע כִּי-בָאוּ אֶל-קִרְבֶּנָה וּמַרְאֵיהֶן רַע כַּאֲשֶׁר בַּתְּחִלָּה וָאִיקָץ
. . . .
And they entered into their bellies — but it was not apparent that they had entered; and their appearance was as ugly as at first. Then I awoke.
- Bereshit 41:22
וָאֵרֶא בַּחֲלֹמִי וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע שִׁבֳּלִים עֹלֹת בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד--מְלֵאֹת וְטֹבוֹת
. . .
Then I saw — behold, seven ears had sprouted upon one stalk, full and good.
- Bereshit 41:23
וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע שִׁבֳּלִים צְנֻמוֹת דַּקּוֹת שְׁדֻפוֹת קָדִים--צֹמְחוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶם
. .
And behold, seven ears, withered, thin, scorched by the qibla-wind, sprouted up after them.
- Bereshit 41:24
וַתִּבְלַעְןָ הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַדַּקֹּת אֵת שֶׁבַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַטֹּבוֹת וָאֹמַר אֶל-הַחַרְטֻמִּים וְאֵין מַגִּיד לִי
. . .
And the thin ears swallowed the seven good ears. I said this to the learned men, but no one told me anything.'
- Bereshit 41:25
וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל-פַּרְעֹה חֲלוֹם פַּרְעֹה אֶחָד הוּא אֵת אֲשֶׁר הָאֱלֹהִים עֹשֶׂה הִגִּיד לְפַרְעֹה
.
Joseph said to him: 'Pharaoh's dream is one. What God is about to do, He has shown Pharaoh.
- Bereshit 41:26
שֶׁבַע פָּרֹת הַטֹּבֹת שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הֵנָּה וְשֶׁבַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַטֹּבֹת שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הֵנָּה חֲלוֹם אֶחָד הוּא
. . .
The seven good cows and the seven good ears — they are seven years of plenty; this is one dream.
- Bereshit 41:27
וְשֶׁבַע הַפָּרוֹת הָרַקּוֹת וְהָרָעֹת הָעֹלֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים הֵנָּה וְשֶׁבַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הָרֵקוֹת שְׁדֻפוֹת הַקָּדִים--יִהְיוּ שֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי רָעָב
. . .
And the seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them, and the seven empty ears, scorched by the qibla-wind — they shall be seven years of famine.
- Bereshit 41:28
הוּא הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי אֶל-פַּרְעֹה אֲשֶׁר הָאֱלֹהִים עֹשֶׂה הֶרְאָה אֶת-פַּרְעֹה
.
This is the matter which I have spoken to Pharaoh: what God is about to do, He has shown to Pharaoh.
- Bereshit 41:29
הִנֵּה שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים בָּאוֹת--שָׂבָע גָּדוֹל בְּכָל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
.
There shall come upon you seven years of great plenty in the land of Egypt;
- Bereshit 41:30
וְקָמוּ שֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי רָעָב אַחֲרֵיהֶן וְנִשְׁכַּח כָּל-הַשָּׂבָע בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם וְכִלָּה הָרָעָב אֶת-הָאָרֶץ
. .
then seven years of famine shall come after them; and all the plenty in the land of Egypt shall be forgotten; and the famine shall almost consume the dwellers of the land.
- Bereshit 41:31
וְלֹא-יִוָּדַע הַשָּׂבָע בָּאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵי הָרָעָב הַהוּא אַחֲרֵי-כֵן כִּי-כָבֵד הוּא מְאֹד
. .
And no trace of that plenty shall be apparent in the land, because of the famine that comes after it — for it shall be exceedingly grievous.
- Bereshit 41:32
וְעַל הִשָּׁנוֹת הַחֲלוֹם אֶל-פַּרְעֹה פַּעֲמָיִם--כִּי-נָכוֹן הַדָּבָר מֵעִם הָאֱלֹהִים וּמְמַהֵר הָאֱלֹהִים לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ
. . .
And as for the repetition of the dream to Pharaoh twice — it is because the matter is established from before God, and He hastens to do it.
- Bereshit 41:33
וְעַתָּה יֵרֶא פַרְעֹה אִישׁ נָבוֹן וְחָכָם וִישִׁיתֵהוּ עַל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. .
Now therefore let Pharaoh see a man understanding and wise; let him set him over the land of Egypt.
- Bereshit 41:34
יַעֲשֶׂה פַרְעֹה וְיַפְקֵד פְּקִדִים עַל-הָאָרֶץ וְחִמֵּשׁ אֶת-אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם בְּשֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי הַשָּׂבָע
. . .
And let him appoint that he set deputies over the land, to collect a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of plenty.
- Bereshit 41:35
וְיִקְבְּצוּ אֶת-כָּל-אֹכֶל הַשָּׁנִים הַטֹּבוֹת הַבָּאֹת הָאֵלֶּה וְיִצְבְּרוּ-בָר תַּחַת יַד-פַּרְעֹה אֹכֶל בֶּעָרִים--וְשָׁמָרוּ
. . . .
And let them gather all the food of these good years that shall come, and store up their grain under the hand of Pharaoh's deputies, and keep food in their cities.
- Bereshit 41:36
וְהָיָה הָאֹכֶל לְפִקָּדוֹן לָאָרֶץ לְשֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי הָרָעָב אֲשֶׁר תִּהְיֶיןָ בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם וְלֹא-תִכָּרֵת הָאָרֶץ בָּרָעָב
. . .
And let it be a deposit therein, for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt — and let the dwellers of the land not be cut off by the famine.'
- Bereshit 41:37
וַיִּיטַב הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי פַרְעֹה וּבְעֵינֵי כָּל-עֲבָדָיו
.
And the words were pleasing to Pharaoh, and to all his officers.
- Bereshit 41:38
וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל-עֲבָדָיו הֲנִמְצָא כָזֶה--אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים בּוֹ
. .
Then Pharaoh said to his officers: 'Can we find one like this — a man in whom is the spirit of God, knowledge?'
- Bereshit 41:39
וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל-יוֹסֵף אַחֲרֵי הוֹדִיעַ אֱלֹהִים אוֹתְךָ אֶת-כָּל-זֹאת אֵין-נָבוֹן וְחָכָם כָּמוֹךָ
. .
Then he said to him: 'Inasmuch as God has made known to you all these things, there is none so understanding and wise as you.
- Bereshit 41:40
אַתָּה תִּהְיֶה עַל-בֵּיתִי וְעַל-פִּיךָ יִשַּׁק כָּל-עַמִּי רַק הַכִּסֵּא אֶגְדַּל מִמֶּךָּ
. .
You shall be over my house, and according to your order shall all my people be guided; only by the throne shall I be greater than you.'
- Bereshit 41:41
וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל-יוֹסֵף רְאֵה נָתַתִּי אֹתְךָ עַל כָּל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. .
Pharaoh said to him: 'Look — I have set you over all the land of Egypt.'
- Bereshit 41:42
וַיָּסַר פַּרְעֹה אֶת-טַבַּעְתּוֹ מֵעַל יָדוֹ וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָהּ עַל-יַד יוֹסֵף וַיַּלְבֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ בִּגְדֵי-שֵׁשׁ וַיָּשֶׂם רְבִד הַזָּהָב עַל-צַוָּארוֹ
. . .
Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand, and set it upon Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a chain of gold upon his neck.
- Bereshit 41:43
וַיַּרְכֵּב אֹתוֹ בְּמִרְכֶּבֶת הַמִּשְׁנֶה אֲשֶׁר-לוֹ וַיִּקְרְאוּ לְפָנָיו אַבְרֵךְ וְנָתוֹן אֹתוֹ עַל כָּל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. .
And he made him ride in his chariot-of-state; and they cried out before him: 'The noble — this is the king's noble!' And he set him over all the land of Egypt.
- Bereshit 41:44
וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל-יוֹסֵף אֲנִי פַרְעֹה וּבִלְעָדֶיךָ לֹא-יָרִים אִישׁ אֶת-יָדוֹ וְאֶת-רַגְלוֹ--בְּכָל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. . .
Then he said to him: 'I am Pharaoh; and apart from your counsel no man shall lift his hand for a pen, or his foot for a stirrup, in all the land of Egypt.'
- Bereshit 41:45
וַיִּקְרָא פַרְעֹה שֵׁם-יוֹסֵף צָפְנַת פַּעְנֵחַ וַיִּתֶּן-לוֹ אֶת-אָסְנַת בַּת-פּוֹטִי פֶרַע כֹּהֵן אֹן לְאִשָּׁה וַיֵּצֵא יוֹסֵף עַל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. . .
And he named him Revealer-of-Hidden-Things (Tzafnat-Paaneah); and gave him as wife Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. And Joseph went out, as governor over all the land of Egypt.
- Bereshit 41:46
וְיוֹסֵף בֶּן-שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה בְּעָמְדוֹ לִפְנֵי פַּרְעֹה מֶלֶךְ-מִצְרָיִם וַיֵּצֵא יוֹסֵף מִלִּפְנֵי פַרְעֹה וַיַּעֲבֹר בְּכָל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. . .
And Joseph was a son of thirty years when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And when he went out from before him, he traveled all the land of Egypt.
- Bereshit 41:47
וַתַּעַשׂ הָאָרֶץ בְּשֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי הַשָּׂבָע--לִקְמָצִים
. .
And the land brought forth, in the seven years of plenty, by the handful — granaries full.
- Bereshit 41:48
וַיִּקְבֹּץ אֶת-כָּל-אֹכֶל שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וַיִּתֶּן-אֹכֶל בֶּעָרִים אֹכֶל שְׂדֵה-הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר סְבִיבֹתֶיהָ נָתַן בְּתוֹכָהּ
. . .
And he gathered all the food of these seven years, which had been in the land of Egypt, and placed it in its cities — placing the food of the fields of each city around it, in its midst.
- Bereshit 41:49
וַיִּצְבֹּר יוֹסֵף בָּר כְּחוֹל הַיָּם הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד--עַד כִּי-חָדַל לִסְפֹּר כִּי-אֵין מִסְפָּר
. .
And Joseph gathered grain, exceedingly much, like the sand of the sea — until he stopped counting, for it was beyond counting.
- Bereshit 41:50
וּלְיוֹסֵף יֻלַּד שְׁנֵי בָנִים בְּטֶרֶם תָּבוֹא שְׁנַת הָרָעָב אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה-לּוֹ אָסְנַת בַּת-פּוֹטִי פֶרַע כֹּהֵן אוֹן
. . .
And to Joseph were born two sons, before the year of famine came — whom Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.
- Bereshit 41:51
וַיִּקְרָא יוֹסֵף אֶת-שֵׁם הַבְּכוֹר מְנַשֶּׁה כִּי-נַשַּׁנִי אֱלֹהִים אֶת-כָּל-עֲמָלִי וְאֵת כָּל-בֵּית אָבִי
. .
And Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh — saying: 'God has caused me to forget all my misery, and all that was from my father's house.'
- Bereshit 41:52
וְאֵת שֵׁם הַשֵּׁנִי קָרָא אֶפְרָיִם כִּי-הִפְרַנִי אֱלֹהִים בְּאֶרֶץ עָנְיִי
.
And he named the second Ephraim — saying: 'God has made me grow in the land of my affliction.'
- Bereshit 41:53
וַתִּכְלֶינָה שֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי הַשָּׂבָע אֲשֶׁר הָיָה בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. .
Then the seven years of plenty, which had been in the land of Egypt, came to an end.
- Bereshit 41:54
וַתְּחִלֶּינָה שֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי הָרָעָב לָבוֹא כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמַר יוֹסֵף וַיְהִי רָעָב בְּכָל-הָאֲרָצוֹת וּבְכָל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם הָיָה לָחֶם
. . .
And the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said; and there was famine in all the lands — but in all the land of Egypt there was food.
- Bereshit 41:55
וַתִּרְעַב כָּל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וַיִּצְעַק הָעָם אֶל-פַּרְעֹה לַלָּחֶם וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה לְכָל-מִצְרַיִם לְכוּ אֶל-יוֹסֵף אֲשֶׁר-יֹאמַר לָכֶם תַּעֲשׂוּ
. . .
And when the dwellers of the land of Egypt became hungry, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food; and he said to them: 'Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.'
- Bereshit 41:56
וְהָרָעָב הָיָה עַל כָּל-פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ וַיִּפְתַּח יוֹסֵף אֶת-כָּל-אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם וַיִּשְׁבֹּר לְמִצְרַיִם וַיֶּחֱזַק הָרָעָב בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם
. .
And when the famine spread upon the face of all the land, Joseph opened all that was in them, and supplied the Egyptians; and the famine grew strong in all the land of Egypt.
- Bereshit 41:57
וְכָל-הָאָרֶץ בָּאוּ מִצְרַיְמָה לִשְׁבֹּר אֶל-יוֹסֵף כִּי-חָזַק הָרָעָב בְּכָל-הָאָרֶץ
.
And many from the lands came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph; for the famine was severe in their lands.
English is a working draft — author revising