Bible Strands
Genesis 41:15
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pharaoh addresses Joseph immediately after summoning him from prison and having him shave and change clothes, stating his dream has stumped all his courtiers.
The words — The phrase חָלַ֔מְתִּי וְ/אֵ֣ין פֹּתֵ֔ר (chalamti ve'ein poter) literally renders “I have dreamed, and there is not [one who] interprets,” highlighting the king’s admission of royal impotence.
The thread — This dynamic of royal dream interpretation and court failure recurs in Daniel 5:16, where Belshazzar offers rewards to anyone who can decipher his inscription, and Daniel 5:12, which notes his prior acknowledgment of Daniel’s extraordinary spirit.
Why it lands — The text records a ruler’s pragmatic reliance on a foreign prisoner, forcing the reader to observe how human authority recognizes its own limits before divine agency is invoked.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
Cross-references
- Daniel 5:16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- Daniel 5:12 did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”
- Genesis 41:9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I recall my failures.
- Psalms 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.