Genesis 41:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them [are] seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Likewise the seven lean and miserable-looking cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted by the east wind - there will be seven years of famine.

Berean Standard Bible:

Moreover, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine.

American Standard Version:

And the seven lean and ill-favored kine that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind; they shall be seven years of famine.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the seven{H7651} thin{H7534} and ill favoured{H7451} kine{H6510} that came up{H5927} after them{H310} are seven{H7651} years{H8141}; and the seven{H7651} empty{H7386} ears{H7641} blasted{H7710} with the east wind{H6921} shall be seven{H7651} years{H8141} of famine{H7458}.

Cross-References (KJV):

2 Kings 8:1

  • ¶ Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

2 Samuel 24:19

  • And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Genesis 41:27

Genesis 41:27 is part of the narrative concerning Joseph in Egypt. The verse is situated within Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, which features seven healthy cows consumed by seven gaunt cows, and seven full ears of grain devoured by seven withered ears.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Wisdom:** The verse reflects the theme of divine wisdom granted to Joseph, enabling him to interpret dreams with insight from God. This gift allows him to foresee future events and provide counsel.
2. **Providence and Planning:** It underscores the importance of foresight and preparation in God's plan. Joseph's interpretation emphasizes the need to prepare for the future during times of plenty.
3. **Cycles of Plenty and Scarcity:** The verse illustrates the natural cycles of abundance and famine, suggesting that these cycles are part of God's design and that humans must navigate them wisely.
4. **Revelation and Interpretation:** The verse highlights the significance of revelation and its interpretation, which is a recurring theme in the Bible, showing how God communicates with people through symbols and dreams.

**Historical Context:**
The historical context of this verse is set in ancient Egypt, during the time when Joseph, a Hebrew slave, has risen to prominence due to his ability to interpret dreams. This period reflects a time when Egypt was a powerful and wealthy nation, capable of storing surplus during the years of plenty to sustain itself during the predicted famine. Joseph's interpretation leads to his elevation as a ruler in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, and sets the stage for the reunification of his family in Egypt, which is a pivotal moment in the formation of the Israelite people.

In summary, Genesis 41:27 is a turning point in Joseph's story, showcasing his God-given wisdom and setting in motion events that will have significant implications for both Egypt and the Hebrew people. It highlights themes of divine guidance, the necessity of strategic planning, and the recognition of God's hand in human history.

*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: 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.).
  4. 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.
  5. Strong's Number: H5927
    There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָלָה
    Transliteration: ʻâlâh
    Pronunciation: aw-law'
    Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
  6. 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.
  7. Strong's Number: H8141
    There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁנֶה
    Transliteration: shâneh
    Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
    Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
  8. Strong's Number: H7386
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רֵיק
    Transliteration: rêyq
    Pronunciation: rake
    Description: or (shorter) רֵק; from רוּק; empty; figuratively, worthless; emptied(-ty), vain (fellow, man).
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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).
  12. Strong's Number: H7458
    There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָעָב
    Transliteration: râʻâb
    Pronunciation: raw-awb'
    Description: from רָעֵב; hunger (more or less extensive); dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger.