Genesis 41:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then the lean and miserablelooking cows ate up the first seven fat cows.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.

American Standard Version:

and the lean and ill-favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the lean{H7534} and the ill favoured{H7451} kine{H6510} did eat up{H398} the first{H7223} seven{H7651} fat{H1277} kine{H6510}:

Cross-References (KJV):


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Commentary for Genesis 41:20

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Prophecy:** The verse is part of Pharaoh's dream interpreted by Joseph, emphasizing the theme of divine revelation through dreams, a common motif in the Bible.
- **Famine and Plenty:** It symbolizes the cyclical nature of famine and prosperity, illustrating how times of abundance can be followed by periods of extreme scarcity.
- **Providence and Planning:** The dream underscores the importance of foresight and preparation, as Joseph advises Pharaoh to store grain during the seven years of plenty to survive the subsequent seven years of famine.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Joseph's Rise:** The verse is set in the context of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, leading to his appointment as second-in-command over Egypt.
- **Egyptian Society:** The dream's interpretation reflects the agrarian nature of ancient Egyptian society, where cattle were a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
- **Famine in Canaan:** The impending famine would eventually lead to Joseph's brothers coming to Egypt to buy grain, setting the stage for the family's reconciliation and migration to Egypt, a pivotal event in the history of the Israelites.

In summary, Genesis 41:20 is a key verse in the narrative of Joseph, highlighting themes of divine communication, the contrast between abundance and scarcity, and the necessity of wisdom and foresight in governance. It is set against the backdrop of ancient Egyptian society, where agriculture and animal husbandry were central to the economy and well-being of the people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H7534
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַק
    Transliteration: raq
    Pronunciation: rak
    Description: from רָקַק in its original sense; emaciated (as if flattened out); lean(-fleshed), thin.
  2. Strong's Number: H7451
    There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַע
    Transliteration: raʻ
    Pronunciation: rah
    Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
  3. Strong's Number: H6510
    There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּרָה
    Transliteration: pârâh
    Pronunciation: paw-raw'
    Description: feminine of פַּר; a heifer; cow, heifer, kine.
  4. Strong's Number: H398
    There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָכַל
    Transliteration: ʼâkal
    Pronunciation: aw-kal'
    Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
  5. Strong's Number: H7223
    There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רִאשׁוֹן
    Transliteration: riʼshôwn
    Pronunciation: ree-shone'
    Description: or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past.
  6. Strong's Number: H7651
    There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁבַע
    Transliteration: shebaʻ
    Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
    Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה.
  7. Strong's Number: H1277
    There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּרִיא
    Transliteration: bârîyʼ
    Pronunciation: baw-ree'
    Description: from בָּרָא (in the sense of בָּרָה); fatted or plump; fat ((fleshed), -ter), fed, firm, plenteous, rank.