Genesis 41:12

Authorized King James Version

And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָׁ֨ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#2
אִתָּ֜נוּ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#3
נַ֣עַר
And there was there with us a young man
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#4
עִבְרִ֗י
an Hebrew
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
#5
עֶ֚בֶד
servant
a servant
#6
לְשַׂ֣ר
to the captain
a head person (of any rank or class)
#7
הַטַּבָּחִ֔ים
of the guard
properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)
#8
וַ֨נְּסַפֶּר
and we told
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#9
ל֔וֹ
H0
#10
פָּתָֽר׃
he did interpret
to open up, i.e., (figuratively) interpret (a dream)
#11
לָ֖נוּ
H0
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
כַּֽחֲלֹמ֖וֹ
according to his dream
a dream
#14
אִ֥ישׁ
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#15
כַּֽחֲלֹמ֖וֹ
according to his dream
a dream
#16
פָּתָֽר׃
he did interpret
to open up, i.e., (figuratively) interpret (a dream)

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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