And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
Ver. 8. All the magicians.] Or, Natural philosophers, that studied the secrets of nature, and could give a ready reason of everything. Magus is a Persian word, and hath affinity with the Hebrew פחנה, a contemplative person; συφος θεωρητικος : Such as was Aristotle among the heathens, and Augustine among Christians - the greatest and accuratest of men, after the apostles, in contemplation and argumentation, as many are of opinion. The Grecians were so delighted with his learned labours, that they have translated him wholly into their tongue. a As for the deep theorems of natural philosophy, they make one learned indeed, but seldom better, ofttimes worse, nearly atheists; as these wise men of Egypt, elsewhere called enchanters, wizards. Exo 7:11 Of these were "Jannes and Jambres" that "resisted Moses"; 2Ti 3:8 learned they were, and lewd, as were those philosophers. Rom 1:18-32
But there was none that could interpret.] Because God had smitten them with a spirit of dizziness, and made the "wisdom of the wise to perish"; Isa 29:14 for else, it had been easy for them to have seen plenty in the fat kine, and penury in the lean, &c. But God had reserved that honour to Joseph, as a step or stirrup to further preferment.
a Planudes eum transtulit anis aliquot ante Constantinopolim captum. Manl., loc. com., p. 684.