Genesis 41:25 kjv

And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath showed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Genesis 41:25 nkjv

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do:

Genesis 41:25 niv

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Genesis 41:25 esv

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Genesis 41:25 nlt

Joseph responded, "Both of Pharaoh's dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do.

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 25 Meaning

Joseph declares to Pharaoh that his two disturbing dreams, though distinct in imagery, are in essence one unified message directly from God. This statement establishes that the interpretation does not stem from human wisdom or magic, but is a divine revelation, signifying that God Himself is about to enact specific events. It emphasizes God's sovereign control over future occurrences and His direct communication with humanity, even to a pagan ruler.

Genesis 41 25 Context

Genesis chapter 41 begins with Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams of the fat and lean cows, and the full and blighted ears of grain, which none of his court magicians or wise men could interpret. This creates a crisis for Pharaoh and a spiritual void in his seemingly omnipotent empire, exposing the limitations of pagan wisdom. At this point, the chief cupbearer remembers Joseph, who had accurately interpreted his own and the baker’s dreams while in prison. Joseph is hastily brought before Pharaoh. Before Joseph provides the actual interpretation of the dreams, this verse serves as his initial, foundational declaration to Pharaoh, immediately attributing all revelation and the coming events to God, contrasting sharply with the Egyptian spiritual understanding and positioning God as the true interpreter and controller of destiny.

Genesis 41 25 Word analysis

• "Then Joseph said": Indicates a direct and immediate response following Pharaoh's description of his dreams and the inability of his wise men to interpret them. Joseph's words carry authority rooted not in his own status but in God.
• "to Pharaoh": The direct address signifies Joseph's bold witness before the most powerful monarch of the ancient world.
• "The dreams of Pharaoh": The Hebrew ha-chalomot Phar'oh (הַחֲלֹמוֹת פַּרְעֹה) uses the plural for "dreams," referring to both of Pharaoh's distinct dreams (cows and grain). Joseph acknowledges both, yet unites their meaning.
• "are one": The Hebrew word echad (אֶחָד) denotes singularity, unity, or oneness. This is crucial as it signifies that despite their differing imagery, both dreams convey a single, consistent divine message and purpose. This refutes any notion of random, multiple, or unrelated dream sources and highlights a singular divine plan. It also subtly implies a singular divine Author behind them, rather than a pantheon of gods.
• "God has shown": The Hebrew Elohim higgid (אֱלֹהִים הִגִּיד).
  • "God" (Elohim): A general yet powerful name for God, often used in Genesis, capable of speaking to a non-Israelite like Pharaoh in a way he might grasp divine authority. It establishes the absolute source of knowledge and action. It also implicitly stands in stark contrast to the myriad of Egyptian deities.
  • "has shown" (higgid): From the root nagad, meaning to declare, make known, tell, or reveal. It's an active verb, indicating a clear and intentional act of divine disclosure. God is not merely suggesting but actively communicating a truth.
• "to Pharaoh": Emphasizes that God chose to reveal His intentions directly to Pharaoh, perhaps to validate Joseph, demonstrate divine supremacy, or warn the nation of Egypt.
• "what He is about to do": The Hebrew asher ya'aseh (אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה) directly connects the impending events to God's own will and action. It's not a prediction of fate, but a revelation of God's active involvement in human history. This directly confronts polytheistic views where numerous deities might contend, or where human efforts were central. Here, the God acts.

Words-group analysis:

• "The dreams of Pharaoh are one": This phrase unifies two distinct natural phenomena into a single supernatural message. It's Joseph's interpretive key, stating the divine coherence behind seemingly disparate visions, asserting that both originated from one source with one unified purpose.
• "God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do": This powerful declaration transfers agency from Pharaoh's own limited understanding or the court's false interpretations directly to God's absolute knowledge and sovereignty. It asserts that God is not only the interpreter but also the orchestrator of all future events, revealing His pre-ordained plan. This also acts as a polemic against the magical practices and polytheistic beliefs of Egypt, by positing one supreme God as the source of revelation and action.

Genesis 41 25 Bonus section

• Joseph's consistent deference to God (found in Gen 40:8, 41:16, 41:32 as well) is a consistent theme. He avoids any hint of personal spiritual power or pride, ensuring God receives all the glory and establishing the truth of His words. This prepares Pharaoh to accept Joseph's interpretation not as an ordinary divination but as divine truth.
• The stark contrast presented in this verse is a subtle but powerful polemic against the ancient Egyptian religious worldview. While Pharaoh had many gods and trusted his priests and magicians to interpret omens, Joseph directly attributes the revelation to a single "God" (Elohim), implying that this God is superior and sovereign over all that will transpire in Egypt, a clear monotheistic declaration within a polytheistic court.
• The repetition of the dream to Pharaoh (implied by "dreams... are one" and later explicitly stated in Gen 41:32) served to confirm its divine origin and certainty, reinforcing that the matter "is established by God."

Genesis 41 25 Commentary

Genesis 41:25 serves as the theological bedrock for Joseph’s entire dream interpretation and subsequent counsel. By immediately stating that "The dreams of Pharaoh are one" and that "God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do," Joseph shifts the narrative from human confusion and pagan impotence to divine clarity and sovereignty. This single verse dismantles the entire framework of Egyptian magic and multiple deities, asserting that the events to unfold are not random, nor from various conflicting gods, nor due to the machinations of sorcerers, but are orchestrated by the one God who rules over all. It demonstrates that God communicates purposefully, even to those outside of the covenant people, for His greater plans, validating Joseph as His chosen vessel of revelation. This pivotal declaration also highlights that true wisdom comes solely from God, contrasting starkly with the futility of human, uninspired attempts to understand the future.