King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told [this] unto the magicians; but [there was] none that could declare [it] to me.
Complete Jewish Bible:
And the thin ears swallowed up the seven ripe ears. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me."
Berean Standard Bible:
And the thin heads of grain swallowed the seven plump ones. I told this dream to the magicians, but no one could explain it to me.”
American Standard Version:
and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears: and I told it unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the thin{H1851} ears{H7641} devoured{H1104} the seven{H7651} good{H2896} ears{H7641}: and I told{H559} this unto the magicians{H2748}; but there was none that could declare{H5046} it to me.
Cross-References (KJV):
Daniel 4:7
- Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
Genesis 41:8
- And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
Exodus 8:19
- Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This [is] the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 41:24
**Themes:**
- Prophetic Dreams: The verse highlights the importance of interpreting dreams, a recurring theme in the Bible, as a means of divine communication.
- Divine Knowledge vs. Human Wisdom: It contrasts the limitations of human understanding with the superior knowledge that comes from God.
- Sovereignty of God: The dream suggests that God has a plan for the future that He reveals to whom He chooses.
- Providence and Famine: The imagery of the dream foretells a period of abundance followed by severe famine, emphasizing God's control over nature and human affairs.
**Historical Context:**
- The verse is part of the narrative of Joseph in Egypt. Joseph has been brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, which no Egyptian magician or wise man has been able to explain.
- The historical setting is during the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt, when Hyksos rulers or a native Egyptian dynasty could have been in power, depending on the chronology used. This period was characterized by the presence of Semitic peoples, like Joseph, in Egypt.
- The dream's interpretation, which Joseph provides subsequently, foretells seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. This prediction enables Egypt to prepare for the hardship and becomes the catalyst for Joseph's rise to power under Pharaoh.
- The inability of the magicians and wise men to interpret the dream underscores the superiority of Joseph's God-given gift over the pagan wisdom of the time, leading to a pivotal moment where a Hebrew slave becomes a key figure in Egypt's administration.
In summary, Genesis 41:24 is a pivotal verse that emphasizes the themes of divine revelation, the limitations of human knowledge, and God's providence, all set within the historical context of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt through his gift of dream interpretation.
*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: 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: 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: H1104
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּלַע
Transliteration: bâlaʻ
Pronunciation: baw-lah'
Description: a primitive root; to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy; cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up). - 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: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H2748
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַרְטֹם
Transliteration: charṭôm
Pronunciation: khar-tome'
Description: from the same as חֶרֶט; a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles); magician. - Strong's Number: H5046
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַד
Transliteration: nâgad
Pronunciation: naw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter.