Genesis 41:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they [were] still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But after they had eaten them up, one couldn't tell that they had eaten them; because they were as miserable-looking as before. At this point I woke up.

Berean Standard Bible:

When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I awoke.

American Standard Version:

and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And when they had eaten them up^{{H935}{H7130}}, it could not be known^{H3045} that they had eaten them^{{H935}{H7130}}; but they were still^{H4758} ill favoured^{H7451}, as at the beginning^{H8462}. So I awoke^{H3364}.

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Commentary for Genesis 41:21

Genesis 41:21 is part of the narrative where Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams. The historical context is set in ancient Egypt, during the time when Joseph, a Hebrew slave, has risen to prominence due to his ability to interpret dreams.

**Themes:**

1. **Divine Wisdom and Providence:** Joseph attributes his ability to interpret dreams to God, highlighting the theme of divine wisdom. This verse reflects the belief that God reveals knowledge and understanding to certain individuals for a greater purpose.

2. **Famine and Plenty:** The dreams that Pharaoh experiences, which Joseph interprets, foretell seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. This cycle of abundance and scarcity is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing the unpredictability of life and the need for foresight and preparation.

3. **Interpretation of Dreams:** Dreams in the ancient world were often considered messages from the divine. Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams underscores the significance of dreams as a means of communication between the divine and humans.

**Historical Context:**

During this period, Egypt was a powerful and wealthy nation, and its stability depended on the annual flooding of the Nile, which made agriculture flourish. The prediction of a famine would have been a matter of great concern, as it threatened the food supply and the economy. Joseph's interpretation leads to his appointment as Pharaoh's second-in-command, responsible for managing the food supply during the years of plenty to prepare for the years of famine.

This verse is part of a larger story that explains how Joseph, through his wisdom and administrative skills given by God, ends up in a position of authority in Egypt. His role becomes crucial in the survival of his own family during the famine, as it sets the stage for the Israelites' move to Egypt, which will eventually lead to the events of the Exodus.

*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: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7130
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֶרֶב
   Transliteration: qereb
   Pronunciation: keh'-reb
   Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4758
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַרְאֶה
   Transliteration: marʼeh
   Pronunciation: mar-eh'
   Description: from רָאָה; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision; [idiom] apparently, appearance(-reth), [idiom] as soon as beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision.
   
5. 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.).
   
6. Strong's Number: H8462
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּחִלָּה
   Transliteration: tᵉchillâh
   Pronunciation: tekh-il-law'
   Description: from חָלַל in the sense of opening; a commencement; rel. original (adverb, -ly); begin(-ning), first (time).
   
7. Strong's Number: H3364
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָקַץ
   Transliteration: yâqats
   Pronunciation: yaw-kats'
   Description: a primitive root; to awake (intransitive); (be) awake(-d).