Swedenborg Arcana Caelestia Vol. V (1750)

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

25. And Joseph said to Pharaoh: "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same; God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do.

26. The seven good cows represent seven years, and the seven good heads of grain represent seven years; it is a single dream.

27. And the seven thin and ugly cows that came up after them represent seven years, as do the seven empty heads of grain, scorched by the east wind; they shall be seven years of famine.

28. This is the matter which I have spoken to Pharaoh: what God is about to do, He has shown to Pharaoh.

29. Behold, seven years are coming of great abundance of food throughout all the land of Egypt.

30. But seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the abundance of food in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will consume the land.

31. The abundance of food will not be known in the land because of that subsequent famine, for it will be very severe.

32. And as for the dream being repeated to Pharaoh twice, it is because the matter is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

33. Now therefore, let Pharaoh look for a man who is discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

34. Let Pharaoh act, and appoint overseers over the land, and take a fifth part original: "quintet" — to collect a twenty-percent tax or portion of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.

35. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it.

36. That food shall be as a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish during the famine."

37. And the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.

38. And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God?"

39. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

40. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word original: "osculabitur" — literally 'shall kiss,' an idiom for showing obedience or being governed by; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you."

41. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

42. Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it—