Lexical Summary
pithron: Interpretation, solution
Original Word:פִתְרוֹן
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:pithrown
Pronunciation:pit-rone'
Phonetic Spelling:(pith-rone')
KJV: interpretation
NASB:interpretation, interpretations
Word Origin:[fromH6622 (פָּתַר - interpreted)]
1. interpretation (of a dream)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
interpretation
Or pithron {pith-rone'}; frompathar; interpretation (of a dream) -- interpretation.
see HEBREWpathar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
patharDefinitioninterpretation
NASB Translationinterpretation (4), interpretations (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[Kö
ii. 1, 154] (of a dream), only
Genesis 40:41; — construct
Genesis 40:5;
Genesis 41:11; suffix
Genesis 40:12,18; plural
Genesis 40:8.
Topical Lexicon
Canonical SettingFuller in Joseph’s prison narrative (Genesis 40–41), פִתְרוֹן designates the “interpretation” of dreams. Though dreams were common vehicles for divine communication throughout the Ancient Near East, Scripture reserves the legitimate disclosure of their meaning for the one true God.
Occurrences
Genesis 40:5 – each imprisoned official has a dream, “and each dream had its own interpretation.”
Genesis 40:8 – “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Joseph redirects the officials from Egyptian magicians to YHWH.
Genesis 40:12, 18 – Joseph delivers distinct interpretations that prove true within three days.
Genesis 41:11 – the cupbearer later testifies to Pharaoh that each dream “had its own interpretation,” preparing the stage for Joseph’s exaltation.
Narrative Function and Message
1. Validation of Joseph’s Calling: The term punctuates Joseph’s God-given wisdom. Every use culminates in the precise fulfillment of what Joseph foretells, authenticating him as a trustworthy spokesman.
2. Contrast with Pagan Methods: Egyptian magicians rely on manuals and omens; Joseph relies solely on the Lord. The storyline underscores the futility of human speculation and the sufficiency of divine revelation.
3. Providential Pathway: Accurate interpretations lead to the cupbearer’s restoration, the baker’s execution, and eventually Joseph’s release. פִתְרוֹן is thus a hinge driving redemptive history toward the preservation of Jacob’s family during famine.
Divine Revelation and Sovereignty
Joseph’s declaration, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8), affirms that meaning is not discovered but bestowed. God governs hidden realities and discloses them at His pleasure, reinforcing themes later echoed inDaniel 2:28–30 and1 Corinthians 2:10–13.
Pastoral and Ministry Insights
• Dependence on God’s Word: While modern culture prizes personal intuition, פִתְרוֹן reminds believers to seek understanding in Scripture and prayer, trusting the Spirit to unveil truth.
• Discernment Against Counterfeits: Just as Pharaoh’s magicians failed, contemporary occult practices promise insight apart from God. The Joseph narrative urges pastors to warn congregations against such avenues.
• Faithfulness in Obscurity: Joseph interprets dreams while still unjustly imprisoned, modeling steadfast service wherever the Lord assigns. Ministry effectiveness is measured by obedience, not circumstance.
Christological and Redemptive-Historical Perspective
Joseph, the revealer of mysteries, prefigures Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). As Joseph’s interpretations brought life to nations, Christ’s ultimate revelation—the gospel—secures eternal salvation. The Hebrew term points forward to the fuller unveiling accomplished in the incarnation.
Related Themes and Further Study
Dreams and visions (Genesis 15:1;Matthew 1:20)
Prophetic validation (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)
God’s sovereignty over hidden things (Deuteronomy 29:29)
Spiritual gifts of wisdom and knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)
Forms and Transliterations
כְּפִתְר֣וֹן כְּפִתְר֥וֹן כפתרון פִּתְרֹנ֑וֹ פִּתְרֹנִ֔ים פתרנו פתרנים kə·p̄iṯ·rō·wn kefitRon kəp̄iṯrōwn piṯ·rō·nîm piṯ·rō·nōw pitroNim piṯrōnîm pitroNo piṯrōnōw
Links
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Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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