Yaghāth and Ya'ṣirūn: Rain and Pressing in Pharaoh's Dream
The text addresses two terms from Surah Yusuf: 1) yaghāth (يغاث) and 2) ya’ṣirūn (يصرون). The Quranic words yaghāth and ya’ṣirūn in the account of Pharaoh’s dream are not anachronistic to Egypt’s climate; the objection rests on the false assumption that the Nile was the sole water source and ignores the biblical lexical range of both terms.
The critic claims that the word yaghāth (rain) is inappropriate for Egypt, which relies on the Nile rather than rainfall, and that ya’ṣirūn (pressing) implies grape juice, which would be impossible during famine years. The author directs criticism at the real meaning of rain falling, and he did not direct criticism at grape juice.
The word غزوث in reality indicates the descent of water from the sky. The word العصر in reality indicates grape juice. Because what is common among people in the era is grapes. As for the metaphor, the doubt is negated. As for the reality, this is the objector’s purpose, and he is biased in that.
Biblical Attestation for Yaghāth and Ya’ṣirūn
The word غزوث came in reality, such as:
“So the rain was withheld, and there was no rain.”
And it came metaphorically, such as:
“That I may know how to help the weary.”
Rain in Egypt: The Fifteen-Year Cycle
This is because the whole matter is outside the norm. The explanation of its departure from the norm: The period is fifteen years. Seven hard years eat seven fat ones, or: seven fat ones eat seven lean ones. And the last year brings little good. And what is appropriate for the little good is the falling of rain.
The little water is enough to irrigate the grapes and fruits in places of its cultivation, and sufficient to grow wheat whose seed will be seed for the coming years in which the Nile water will be abundant.