Genesis 41:14 kjv
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14 nkjv
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14 niv
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14 esv
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:14 nlt
Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh.
Genesis 41 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 105:19-20 | "Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him..." | Direct parallel to Joseph's story and God's timing. |
| Dan 2:24-25 | "Then Daniel went to Arioch... 'Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.'" | Similar elevation from obscure status to interpret for a king. |
| Dan 2:48 | "Then the king made Daniel a great man and gave him many great gifts..." | Consequence of interpreting a king's dream. |
| Psa 113:7-8 | "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes..." | God's power to elevate the humble and outcast. |
| 1 Sam 2:7 | "The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up." | God's sovereign control over circumstances. |
| 1 Sam 16:11-13 | "...'Send and bring him, for we will not sit down till he comes here'... Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him..." | Sudden call and anointing for leadership, like David. |
| Job 5:11 | "He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety." | God's lifting up of the afflicted. |
| Lk 1:52 | "He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly." | Magnificat; God's principle of humbling and exalting. |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." | Principle of humility leading to exaltation. |
| Php 2:9-10 | "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name..." | Christ's exaltation after humility, pattern for believers. |
| Col 1:13 | "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love..." | Spiritual parallel: being freed from 'dungeon' of sin. |
| Eph 4:22-24 | "...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man... and that you put on the new man..." | Symbolic of changing clothes; putting off old life. |
| Col 3:9-10 | "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man..." | Spiritual "changing clothes" after cleansing. |
| Acts 7:9-10 | "And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor..." | Stephen's speech highlighting God's faithfulness to Joseph. |
| Isa 61:1 | "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me... to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound..." | Prophetic resonance of release from spiritual or physical prison. |
| Ps 23:5 | "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..." | God's provision and honor even in unlikely circumstances. |
| Zech 3:3-5 | "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the Angel... 'Take away the filthy garments from him'... 'See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.'" | Priestly imagery of replacing soiled garments with clean for service, symbolizing cleansing. |
| Jer 38:7-13 | Account of Jeremiah being lifted out of a cistern (dungeon) by Ebed-Melech. | Similar deliverance from a pit. |
| Eze 37:12-14 | "I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, My people, and bring you into the land of Israel." | Metaphor for spiritual liberation and renewal. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." | God's sovereign plan ensuring all events lead to His purpose. |
| Pr 22:29 | "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men." | Joseph's skill brought him to Pharaoh. |
| Mt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." | God's provision and elevation for those faithful to Him. |
| Ex 2:10 | "So the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son..." | Moses also elevated to royal presence after being found. |
Genesis 41 verses
Genesis 41 14 Meaning
This verse describes the immediate and urgent summons of Joseph by Pharaoh after the chief cupbearer recounted Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. It highlights Joseph's rapid preparation—shaving and changing his clothes—before being ushered into the presence of the powerful Egyptian king. This marks a dramatic and divine turning point, suddenly elevating Joseph from the lowest possible state of imprisonment to an audience with the highest authority, signaling the commencement of God's greater plan.
Genesis 41 14 Context
Genesis chapter 41 begins with Pharaoh experiencing two disturbing dreams that none of his wise men or magicians can interpret. Two full years have passed since the events of Genesis 40, and the chief cupbearer, whom Joseph had previously interpreted a dream for in prison, finally remembers Joseph. This recollection, divinely timed, provides the solution to Pharaoh's perplexing dreams. Verse 14 initiates the immediate, urgent response from Pharaoh upon hearing about Joseph's unique gift. After 13 years of being enslaved, unjustly accused, and imprisoned, Joseph's life is about to pivot dramatically due to God's precise and intricate working in history.
Genesis 41 14 Word analysis
- Then: This temporal conjunction emphasizes the swift and direct consequence of the cupbearer's mention of Joseph to Pharaoh. It marks an immediate turning point.
- Pharaoh: The absolute ruler of Egypt, embodying supreme earthly power and authority. His sending for Joseph signifies the highest level of command and a dramatic change in Joseph's life.
- sent and called: Hebrew verb group, highlighting decisive action. Pharaoh initiates the process of Joseph's deliverance, though God orchestrates the entire event.
- Joseph: The individual whose destiny, guided by God, is now unveiled. His name (יוֹסֵף, Yosef) meaning "He adds" or "May he add," holds ironic significance as God is now adding a new dimension to his life and bringing him to prominence.
- brought him hastily (מְהֵרָה, mᵉherah): Emphasizes urgency and speed. Pharaoh's anxiety over his dreams led to an immediate summons; there was no delay in fetching Joseph from the dungeon.
- out of the dungeon (בּוֹר, bor): Refers to a "pit" or "cistern," often used as a deep, dark prison. This signifies the absolute lowest and most miserable point of Joseph's captivity, making his elevation even more stark and remarkable.
- he shaved himself: Significant cultural detail. Egyptians were clean-shaven; Semites like Joseph typically wore beards. This was a necessary act of respect and cultural conformity to appear before Pharaoh, and often indicated ceremonial purity and readiness. It's an active step Joseph takes to present himself appropriately.
- and changed his clothes: Joseph exchanged his prison rags for clean garments. This act symbolized not only a change in external appearance but also a change in status, a purification, and a preparation to stand before royalty, signifying respect and readiness for service.
- and came to Pharaoh: The culmination of his long suffering. This direct encounter signals the fulfillment of God's overarching plan for Joseph and through him, for Israel and other nations during the upcoming famine.
Words-group analysis
- Pharaoh sent and called Joseph: This phrase underscores the authoritative nature of Joseph's summons. The most powerful man in Egypt commands Joseph's presence, highlighting the dramatic shift from forgotten prisoner to a person of interest.
- brought him hastily out of the dungeon: This vivid description conveys the urgency of the moment and the abruptness of Joseph's release. He wasn't gradually released but extracted quickly from his place of misery, demonstrating God's immediate action through Pharaoh.
- he shaved himself and changed his clothes: These specific actions highlight Joseph's practical and respectful preparation. More than personal hygiene, they reflect cultural decorum required for an audience with Pharaoh, showing Joseph's readiness to humble himself and adapt, symbolizing a putting off of his past lowly state for a new purpose.
- and came to Pharaoh: This simple statement marks the decisive arrival, ending a long period of trials and ushering Joseph directly into the arena of divine destiny. It signifies the commencement of his public ministry and God's plan.
Genesis 41 14 Bonus section
The narrative pace in this verse is extremely swift, mirroring the dramatic shift in Joseph's fortunes. From dungeon to palace, the transition is almost instantaneous from the perspective of Pharaoh's command. This alacrity emphasizes divine urgency, contrasting with the protracted years Joseph spent waiting. The shaving and change of clothes also represent a symbolic separation from his past identity as a slave and prisoner. He presents himself not as an embittered captive, but as a respectful servant prepared for the King's business, which God will use to highlight Joseph's character and God's wisdom through him. This meticulous care for external appearance before Pharaoh echoes a deeper truth: our inner state and readiness are paramount when presenting ourselves for divine service.
Genesis 41 14 Commentary
Genesis 41:14 stands as a monumental pivot in Joseph's narrative, abruptly transforming him from a forgotten prisoner to an urgent summons by the most powerful monarch of his age. This instant transition is not random but divinely orchestrated, revealing God's precise timing and providential hand even amidst suffering. Joseph's preparation—shaving and changing clothes—demonstrates his immediate obedience, respect for authority, and humble adaptation to Egyptian court etiquette. More profoundly, these actions symbolize a readiness to shed the vestiges of his former ignominy and embrace a new, purified role ordained by God. The verse powerfully illustrates God's ability to swiftly lift the humble from the depths of affliction to positions of influence, not for personal gain, but as an instrument in His greater plan for salvation and sustenance. It reminds us that our lowest points can be precisely where God's highest calls begin to unfold, and that seemingly mundane details of obedience can precede profound breakthroughs.