King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, [and] blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
Complete Jewish Bible:
After them, seven ears, thin and blasted by the east wind, sprang up.
Berean Standard Bible:
After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind.
American Standard Version:
and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And, behold, seven{H7651} ears{H7641}, withered{H6798}, thin{H1851}, and blasted{H7710} with the east wind{H6921}, sprung up{H6779} after them{H310}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Hosea 9:16
- Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay [even] the beloved [fruit] of their womb.
Hosea 13:15
- Though he be fruitful among [his] brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Psalms 129:6
- Let them be as the grass [upon] the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
Psalms 129:7
- Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
2 Kings 19:26
- Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.
Hosea 8:7
- For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Genesis 41:6
- And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 41:23
Genesis 41:23 is part of the narrative concerning Joseph, one of the patriarchs of the Israelites, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually rose to a position of power in Egypt. The verse is situated within Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, which featured seven healthy, fat cows consumed by seven ugly, lean cows, and seven plump, good ears of grain followed by seven withered, thin ears.
In the verse, the seven withered, thin ears of grain, blasted by the east wind, symbolize seven years of famine that will follow seven years of abundance in Egypt. This imagery reflects the cyclical nature of plenty and scarcity that was common in an agrarian society dependent on the Nile's flooding for fertile soil. The east wind, often associated with destruction and desolation in the ancient Near East, emphasizes the severity and divine influence over the coming famine.
The historical context of this verse is significant as it marks a turning point in Joseph's life. His correct interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams leads to his elevation from prison to become the second-in-command in Egypt. This position enables him to prepare the nation for the impending famine, which later extends to the land of Canaan, bringing his estranged family to Egypt and setting the stage for the Israelites' sojourn and eventual enslavement in that country.
The themes present in this verse include divine providence, as God reveals future events to Joseph; the importance of wisdom and understanding, as Joseph's interpretive skills are highlighted; and the concept of stewardship, as Joseph's role in managing the resources of Egypt during the years of plenty prepares the nation for the years of famine. This verse also underscores the recurring biblical motif of God working through human adversity to accomplish His purposes, as Joseph's earlier misfortunes set the stage for his rise to power and the preservation of his family.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H7641
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁבֹּל
Transliteration: shibbôl
Pronunciation: shib-bole
Description: or (feminine) שִׁבֹּלֶת; from the same as שֹׁבֶל; a stream (as flowing); also an ear of grain (as growing out); by analogy, a branch; branch, channel, ear (of corn), (water-)flood, Shibboleth. Compare סִבֹּלֶת. - Strong's Number: H6798
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָנַם
Transliteration: tsânam
Pronunciation: tsaw-nam'
Description: a primitive root; to blast or shrink; withered. - Strong's Number: H1851
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דַּק
Transliteration: daq
Pronunciation: dak
Description: from דָּקַק; crushed, i.e. (by implication) small or thin; dwarf, lean(-fleshed), very little thing, small, thin. - Strong's Number: H7710
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁדַף
Transliteration: shâdaph
Pronunciation: shaw-daf'
Description: a primitive root; to scorch; blast. - Strong's Number: H6921
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדִים
Transliteration: qâdîym
Pronunciation: kaw-deem'
Description: or קָדִם; from קָדַם; the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind); east(-ward, wind). - Strong's Number: H6779
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָמַח
Transliteration: tsâmach
Pronunciation: tsaw-makh'
Description: a primitive root; to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); bear, bring forth, (cause to, make to) bud (forth), (cause to, make to) grow (again, up), (cause to) spring (forth, up). - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.