Genesis 41:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.

Complete Jewish Bible:

And the thin ears swallowed up the seven full, ripe ears. Then Pharaoh woke up and realized it had been a dream.

Berean Standard Bible:

And the thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, ripe ones. Then Pharaoh awoke and realized it was a dream.

American Standard Version:

And the thin ears swallowed up the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the seven thin{H1851} ears{H7641} devoured{H1104} the seven{H7651} rank{H1277} and full{H4392} ears{H7641}. And Pharaoh{H6547} awoke{H3364}, and, behold, it was a dream{H2472}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 37:5

  • ¶ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told [it] his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Genesis 20:3

  • ¶ But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man's wife.

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Commentary for Genesis 41:7

**Themes:**
- **Divine Revelation:** The dream experienced by Pharaoh is a form of communication from the divine, indicating a forthcoming significant event.
- **Famine and Plenty:** The contrast between the seven thin ears and the seven rank and full ears symbolizes a cycle of famine and abundance, a common biblical motif representing the vicissitudes of life and nature.
- **Interpretation and Wisdom:** The dream's meaning is not immediately clear, highlighting the theme of seeking understanding and wisdom, which will later be provided by Joseph's gift of interpretation.
- **Preparedness:** The dream serves as a warning to prepare for future hardship, emphasizing the importance of foresight and planning.

**Historical Context:**
- **Joseph's Egypt:** The verse is set in ancient Egypt during the period when Joseph, a Hebrew slave, has risen to a position of prominence due to his ability to interpret dreams.
- **Dreams in Ancient Cultures:** In many ancient cultures, dreams were considered messages from the gods and were taken very seriously, especially by rulers.
- **Economic Stability:** The dream's relevance to Pharaoh reflects the importance of agricultural success for the economic and social stability of Egypt, which was heavily dependent on the annual flooding of the Nile and consistent harvests.

In summary, Genesis 41:7 introduces a dream that foretells a period of agricultural abundance followed by a devastating famine. This dream prompts Pharaoh to seek an interpretation, leading to Joseph's rise as a key figure in the administration of Egypt. The verse reflects the cultural significance of dreams in the ancient world and underscores themes of divine communication, the cyclical nature of plenty and scarcity, and the need for wisdom and preparedness in governance.

*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: 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Strong's Number: H4392
    There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָלֵא
    Transliteration: mâlêʼ
    Pronunciation: maw-lay'
    Description: from מָלֵא; full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully; [idiom] she that was with child, fill(-ed, -ed with), full(-ly), multitude, as is worth.
  7. Strong's Number: H6547
    There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
    Transliteration: Parʻôh
    Pronunciation: par-o'
    Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh.
  8. 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).
  9. Strong's Number: H2472
    There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֲלוֹם
    Transliteration: chălôwm
    Pronunciation: khal-ome'
    Description: or (shortened) חֲלֹם; from חָלַם; a dream; dream(-er).