And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
At the end of two full years. It is not certain whether these years are reckoned from the beginning of Joseph's imprisonment, or from the events described in the preceding chapter-most likely the latter. What a long time for Joseph to experience the sickness of hope deferred! But the time of his enlargement was come when he had sufficiently learned the lessons God designed for him; and the plans of Providence were matured.
Pharaoh dreamed. Pharaoh, from an Egyptian word Phre, signifying the 'sun,' was the official title of the kings of that country. The prince who occupied the throne of Egypt was Aphophis, one of the Memphite kings, whose capital was On or Heliopolis, and who is universally acknowledged to have been a patriot king. Between the arrival of Abraham and the appearance of Joseph in that country, somewhat more than two centuries had elapsed, and great political changes had taken place. Kings sleep and dream as well as their subjects; but greater importance was attached to their dreams. (cf. Homer's 'Iliad,' 2:, 80). And this Pharaoh had two dreams in one night so singular and so similar, so distinct and so apparently significant, so coherent and vividly impressed on his memory, that his spirit was troubled.