Lexical Summary pathar: To interpret Original Word: פָתַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance interpretation, A primitive root; to open up, i.e. (figuratively) interpret (a dream) -- interpret(-ation, -er). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to interpret NASB Translation interpret (4), interpreted (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָּתַר verb interpret (dream), only Genesis 40:41 (Late Hebrew id., Jewish-Aramaic מְּתַר; apparently = Aramaic מְּשַׁר,  , dissolve, figurative solve, interpret, compare מֵּשֶׁר); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular מָּתַר, with ל person Genesis 40:22; Genesis 41:13; absolute מָּתָ֑ר Genesis 40:16; Genesis 41:12; with accusative of thing: Imperfect3masculine singular וַיִּפְתָּרלָֿנוּ Genesis 41:12; Infinitive construct לִפְתֹּר Genesis 41:15; Participle active מֹּתֵר Genesis 40:8; Genesis 41:15, ׳מּוֺ Genesis 41:8. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope פָתַר describes the act of explaining or unfolding the meaning of a dream. It stresses the movement from mystery to clarity, an unveiling that only divine wisdom can supply. Occurrences in Genesis The verb appears nine times, all in the Joseph narrative (Genesis 40–41). Each occurrence ties interpretation to God’s self-revelation and to Joseph’s rise from prisoner to ruler. • Genesis 40:8 – “‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.’” Historical Background In ancient Egypt dream interpretation formed part of the royal court’s wisdom culture. Manuals existed, yet Pharaoh’s specialists failed. Scripture contrasts their impotence with the efficacy of divine revelation working through a Hebrew prisoner, underscoring Yahweh’s supremacy over pagan systems. Interpretive Movements in the Joseph Story 1. Prison (Genesis 40) – Joseph interprets for fellow inmates, proving faithful in obscurity. Theological Themes • Divine Ownership of Revelation – “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8). Human wisdom is insufficient; true insight descends from the Lord. Christological Foreshadowing Joseph anticipates Christ as the One empowered by God to reveal mysteries (Colossians 2:2–3). Like Joseph, Jesus is rejected, suffers, yet is exalted, and through divine insight provides salvation. Joseph’s statements shift attention from himself to God, prefiguring the Son who said, “the words I say to you I do not speak on My own” (John 14:10). Ministry Relevance • Dependence on God – Ministers today must point seekers to Scripture and the Spirit rather than to personal intuition. Related Biblical Parallels Daniel performs a similar role before Babylonian kings, reinforcing the principle that “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:28). In the New Testament, the Spirit’s gifts include “interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:10), illustrating continuities in divine communication and interpretation. Summary פָתַר spotlights God as the ultimate Interpreter, directing history through revealed truth. Joseph’s use of the gift challenges believers to seek God’s wisdom, steward revelation responsibly, and trust His sovereignty in every circumstance. Forms and Transliterations וַיִּפְתָּר־ וּפֹתֵ֖ר ויפתר־ ופתר לִפְתֹּ֥ר לפתר פָּֽתַר־ פָּתַ֛ר פָּתָ֑ר פָּתָֽר׃ פּוֹתֵ֥ר פותר פתר פתר־ פתר׃ lifTor lip̄·tōr lip̄tōr pā·ṯar pā·ṯār pā·ṯar- paTar pāṯar pāṯār pāṯar- pō·w·ṯêr poTer pōwṯêr ū·p̄ō·ṯêr ufoTer ūp̄ōṯêr vaiyiftor way·yip̄·tār- wayyip̄tār-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 40:8 HEB: חֲל֣וֹם חָלַ֔מְנוּ וּפֹתֵ֖ר אֵ֣ין אֹת֑וֹ NAS: and there is no one to interpret it. Then Joseph KJV: a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph INT: A dream have had to interpret and there said Genesis 40:16 Genesis 40:22 Genesis 41:8 Genesis 41:12 Genesis 41:12 Genesis 41:13 Genesis 41:15 Genesis 41:15 9 Occurrences |
    |