Genesis 41:17 - Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river:

Generated Verse: Genesis 41:17

What does "Genesis 41:17" mean?


This verse sets the stage for Pharaoh to recount his troubling dream to Joseph. Let's break down the meaning:

"Pharaoh spoke to Joseph": This establishes the speaker (Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt) and the listener (Joseph, an Israelite slave known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams).
"In my dream": Indicates that Pharaoh is about to describe a vision he had while sleeping.
"behold, I stood on the brink of the river:": This is the beginning of the dream narrative.

"Behold": This is an archaic word meaning "look" or "see." It's used to draw attention to something important or surprising in the dream.
"I stood on the brink of the river": The "river" is most likely the Nile, the vital waterway of Egypt. Standing "on the brink" suggests a significant or precarious position, as the edge of a river can be a place of potential danger or opportunity.

In summary, the verse means that Pharaoh is beginning to tell Joseph about a dream he had where he was standing at the edge of the Nile River. This is just the beginning of a longer and more complex dream that he will go on to describe.

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